Cola 'is bad' for women's bones

by generaldecay | May 19, 2009 at 05:33 am

488 views | 47 Recommendations | 20 comments

A quick lunchtime 'health check'.

Women who regularly drink cola could be increasing their risk of osteoporosis, US researchers believe. Their study of 2,500 people revealed drinking cola was linked with low bone mineral density in women regardless of their age or calcium intake. But the work published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found no such link in men.

I think we all know that cola (and indeed all carbonated drinks) are not good for you, and this research does nothing to change my mind about that.

In a related story - Too much cola zaps muscle power - the message is much the same.

Excessive cola consumption can lead to anything from mild weakness to profound muscle paralysis, doctors are warning. This is because the drink can cause blood potassium to drop dangerously low, they report in the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

Erk. Less cola, more water is the message I think.

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sara star

at 05:49 on May 19th, 2009

More water I agree, just not bottled...

generaldecay

at 08:52 on May 19th, 2009

Exactly, tap water. I've never been one for bottled water myself, not least because it's so expensive!

Thanks for the recommendation and comment, sara.

Roy C

at 08:20 on May 19th, 2009

And bad for kids as well.

generaldecay

at 08:52 on May 19th, 2009

Mmm, it must really wreak havoc with those who are still growing.

Paschen

at 08:25 on May 19th, 2009

There is an irony in that news, since the inventor or creator of Coca Cola wanted to create a remedy against arthritis and not a soft drink as it ended up being marked as. The colour was green originally and not black if I recall its history correctly, not certain though.

generaldecay

at 08:53 on May 19th, 2009

HA! That is an irony, indeed. He still made his money, though, regardless. Thanks for the recommendation and comment, Pashen.

Roy C

at 08:54 on May 19th, 2009

He was a pharmacist and a cocaine addict who sold cocaine in a cola drink, "Coca"- cola.

Replaced the cocaine with caffeine. These drinks were called "tonics", as they "pepped" you up.

It is the phosphate in the drink that damages bones.

generaldecay

at 08:54 on May 19th, 2009

I'd always heard that about cocaine-cola but I never knew if it was an urban myth or not. Now that IS a tonic, indeed!

Thanks for the recommendation and comment, Roy.

Roy C

at 09:03 on May 19th, 2009

Here is the link: history of coca-cola.

Amy Judd

at 11:47 on May 19th, 2009

I really like coke to drink sometimes, I don't have one everyday, but everything in moderation can't be too bad right... ? :)

generaldecay

at 23:04 on May 19th, 2009

Moderation indeed, Amy. I do like the odd drink of coke sometimes myself. Although I tend to go for the diet or zero versions which, although sugarless, are just as bad for you.

Thanks for the recommendation and comment. :)

Babel-Fish

at 21:36 on May 19th, 2009

Okay but more scary is that tooth paste, tea and coffee also can cause osteoporosis?

http://en.wikipedia.org

This is just one of health hazards reported about concerning food and drink we eat. Some times I wonder how scary things really are. How correct reports on research are geared to how much money is made for doing research?

generaldecay

at 23:05 on May 19th, 2009

Good point Babel-Fish. If one listened to research (depending on the agenda, like you say), we might never eat again!

Thanks for the recommendation and comment.

Barbara McPherson

at 18:05 on May 21st, 2009

I gave up most soft drinks awhile ago mainly because of this. Wine doesn't soften your bones, only your brain!

generaldecay

at 10:39 on May 28th, 2009

Yes, I hear you about the wine! :)

Thanks for the comment, Barbara.

Katherine Nelms (not verified)

at 13:36 on May 28th, 2009

Also know that this study was conducted on people who drank 10 liters of cola a day over a prolonged period of time.

Beaulieu

at 00:20 on July 25th, 2009

I've given up coca cola for now over 2 weeks, my dentist said it was like 'battery acid'. You kind of wonder what sort of things it is doing to your body.

Beaulieu

at 00:22 on July 25th, 2009

I can be quite addicted to it (the caffeine?) but I am forcing myself to drink more water and vegetable juice instead. So far, so good! Moderation is the best motto too.