It's not news that drinking soda on a regular basis can have negative effects on your health. Several studies published in the last two decades suggest that regular soda
consumption raises the risk of developing a variety of long-term health conditions. However, did you know that consuming carbonated beverages may raise your risk of developing
Research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2014 shows an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women who drink one or more sodas daily (RA)
Swelling and pain are most common in the joints of the hands, wrists, and knees for people with RA. This is due to inflammation of the joint lining, which can lead to damage to the joint tissue.
"We wouldn't say soda would definitely lead to [an] increased risk of RA no matter how often people drink [it]," said Harvard School of Public Health lead researcher Yang Hu
Obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes are all more common in people with RA when they consume sugar-sweetened soda
according to numerous studies. In this study, the risk of developing RA was found to be greatest among women over the age of 50.
Although the exact cause of RA remains a mystery, this study's findings suggest that the foods we eat may play a role.
Dr. Susan Goodman, a rheumatologist at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery, said in a study report, "This is a group who are also more susceptible to the effects of smoking
Because of their high sugar content, it's not hard to see how sodas could be linked to RA. Just one 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola has 39 grammes of sugar