From Only 12 Ounces…

Soft drinks can trace their history back to the mineral water found in natural springs. Bathing in natural springs has long been considered a healthy thing to do, mineral water was said to have curative powers. Scientists soon discovered that gas carbonium or carbon dioxide was behind the bubbles in natural mineral water. So American pharmacists that were selling mineral waters began to add medicinal and flavorful herbs to unflavored mineral water. They used birch bark, dandelion, sarsaparilla, and fruit extracts. These early American pharmacies with soda fountains became a popular part of culture and it wasn’t long until customers wanted to take their “health” drinks home with them and a soft drink bottling industry grew from consumer demand.

Fast forward to today, things have really changed. With access to almost any information that you could possibly want on the internet, it is hard to find an article or study that shows soda pop is good for you. Actually what you are going to find is study after study telling you that soda is responsible for many dangers in regarding your health. One of the articles that I found to be interesting is a time line of what happens within 1 hour of gulping down one can of that sweet bubbly beverage.

Here goes…

-10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system, which is 100 percent of your recommended daily intake. You’d normally vomit from such an intake, but the phosphoric acid cuts the flavor.

-20 minutes: Your blood sugar skyrockets. Your liver attempts to maximize insulin production in order to turn high levels of sugar into fat.

-40 minutes: As your body finishes absorbing the caffeine, your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver pumps more sugar into the bloodstream. Adenosine receptors in your brain are blocked preventing you from feeling how tired you may actually be.

-45 minutes: Your body increases dopamine production, causing you to feel pleasure and adding to the addictiveness of the beverage. This physical neuro response works the same way as it would if we were consuming heroin.

>60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, which boosts your metabolism a bit further. High doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners compound this effect, increasing the urinary excretion of calcium. The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (You have to GO!) Your body will eliminate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was otherwise heading to your bones. And you will also flush out the sodium, electrolytes and water. Your body has eliminated the water that was in the soda. And in the process it was infused with nutrients and minerals your body would have otherwise used to hydrate your system or build body cells, bones, teeth.

-60 minutes: The sugar crash begins. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You start feeling like crap. Time to grab another?

It’s no wonder why soda is so hard for some people to give up!

Weekly Recipe

Sweet & Sour Chicken

1/3 cup Tamari (wheat free) soy sauce
2 Tbs raw honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 4 breasts), chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/2 fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes
12 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped

In a small bowl, whisk together tamari, honey, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes. Place chicken in a large shallow dish. Pour sauce mixture over chicken, tossing gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and marinade and saute for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Add bell peppers and onion and cook for 5 minutes or until veggies are slightly tender. Add pineapple and cook for 2 more minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.