Would we really be smiling if we knew what soda was doing to our health, especially

the health of young adults? Since 1978, soda consumption in the United States has tripled

for boys and doubled for girls. Why the increase? For starters soda companies

aggressively target young adults by advertising on television programs, billboards, magazines

and posters. Since soda is available anywhere, the message that we are sending to children

is that it is okay for them to drink it constantly in place of other more nutritious beverages.

This marketing strategy leaves out many essential facts about soda’s effects on nutrition

and overall health, especially in children and teen’s.

While teens are developing during their puberty years, almost half of the adult

skeleton is still being formed and another 15 percent of height is added. These years for

teens are extremely critical for achieving full bone mass and their potential for height.

The risk for osteoporosis depends larg

calories, which plays a role in weight gain. Based on these facts, an extra 180 calories per

Girls build 92% of their bone mass by age 18, but if they don’t consume enough calcium in

more thirst (which may lead to teens drinking even more soda) fatigue and impaired physical

also a diuretic, which means that it is dehydrating. Even though a teen is thirsty and

Some topics in this essay:
Drinking Teens, Department Agriculture, Coca Cola, America Soda, Coca Cola’s, bone mass, Soft Drinks, empty calories, drinking soda, health especially, broken bones, teens contributes, calories day, weight gain, teaspoons sugar,