5 ways soda affects your immune system

Nothing feels better than a glass of chilled soda in this scorching summer heat. But the bad news is, soda is bad for your health.

Not only does it hamper your waistline, it is also bad for your heart health and immune system.

Yes, soda can wreak havoc on your immune system and make you susceptible to catching infections.

How soda hampers the immune system?

Soda is primarily made of sugar, which is known to weaken the immune system. This can hinder the way your body fights the illness. Here are five ways soda can hamper your immune system.

1. Feeds the bad bacteria

Just 350 ml of soda contains around 39 grams of sugar, which is a host for many health issues when consumed in excess. Sugar serves as the breeding ground for bacteria and viruses and helps them spread easily throughout the body. Sugar also suppresses the immune system.

2. Increases your risk of infection

This holds true for everyone, but even more for people suffering from type 2 diabetes. The sugar in soda affects your immune system’s white blood cells, which are important for fighting the infection. White blood cells are called killer blood cells. Thus, it’s best that people suffering from type 2 diabetes do not consume soda.

3. Heightens your risk of type 2 diabetes

Drinking soda regularly can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. Routinely drinking sugar-sweetened beverages can decrease one’s insulin sensitivity, which is a major risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Apart from cutting soda, cutting back on saturated fats can also help in reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes.

4. Inflammation

Soda can stroke inflammation in the body, which does not just hinder the immune system but can also heighten your risk of developing chronic disease later in life Studies have even found that people who drink soda regular versus those who drank diet soda, milk or just water had higher levels of uric acid, which can promote inflammation and even insulin resistance.

5. Increased risk of obesity

Being overweight can have a negative impact on the immune system and drinking soda regularly can cause weight gain over time. Soda offers empty calories, which means they do not have any nutritional value. Calories in soda do the exact opposite of proving any health benefits – they cause harm.
From decreased cytokine production to altered lymphocyte function, obesity can impact the immune system in various ways.