Now we are increasingly opting for drinks with the inscription light instead of regular juice or soda. Seduced by beautifully sounding names, we dare to buy similar products, believing that, thanks to this, we will keep a slender figure. Does this approach help maintain a normal weight? Not a fact. It should be borne in mind that the use of light drinks can promote obesity and premature aging of the body.
What is light
products In the sense of its name - products in which the energy value is artificially reduced - not less than 30%, by reducing the fat or sugar content. In the case of fatty beverages, this can be partial or complete degreasing. If you consider fruit drinks or soda like "Coca-Cola" - here the main task for the producer is to reduce the sugar content in the product, as it is usually the main supplier of calories in such cases.
Sweeteners and sugar
The widely known and universally used sucrose provides about 4 kcal per gram. But this is not the limit. Take, for example, drinks of the same type as Coca-Cola - their pH reaction can be more acidic than freshly squeezed lemon juice. Not surprisingly, they require the addition of sugar. Manufacturers decided to deal with this problem using sweeteners.
They give fewer calories than sucrose. But, in addition to their undoubted advantages, sweeteners have significant drawbacks. Their influence on our body has not yet been fully explored. The doses of the substance used are of decisive importance in this matter concerning the possible occurrence of negative consequences.
Aspartame
It is 150-200 times sweeter than sucrose, due to which it is used in small amounts. He is credited with a number of negative effects, including: causing headaches, increasing appetite, fatigue, irritability, worsening of people with diabetes and heart rhythm disturbances. Aspartame can not be used by patients with phenylketonuria, since it consists of phenylalanine and aspartic acid.
Acesulfame K
This substance is 130-200 times sweeter than sugar beet. In addition to sweetening, it can enhance the taste and smell. It is added to chewing gum and some drinks. It can cause headaches.
Sucralose
Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sucrose. Although it is considered to be safe for health, it can decompose into harmful components. It is believed that the addition of its small amounts can not adversely affect our body.
Saccharin
It is 300-500 times sweeter than sugar, but can cause diarrhea, nausea and headaches. He was even attributed to a carcinogenic effect, but there was no research supporting this theory.
Stevia
Glycosides from stevia, used for sweetening dishes, are 250-400 times sweeter than sugar. They are used in some diet drinks. Stevia is popular in Japan, where its use is permitted back in 1970.
Cyclamines
30-40 times sweeter than sucrose and cyclamic acid salts, used, for example, in carbonated beverages. Their metabolites can adversely affect the human body. Care should be taken when using products with this substance, as well as with the use of certain medications.
Dyes and fragrances
In stores you can find colorful beverages, which, according to the text on the label, do not contain any calories. Their basis is calorie-free water, and the smell and color of these fluids is the result of the addition of synthetic dyes and flavors.
It would seem that the controlled use of artificial additives should not cause any discomfort, but the use of such liquids can have a negative impact on our health. At first glance, this drink does not contain a very large amount of additives and preservatives, but if we sum it with all other products contained in our menu, the amount of potentially dangerous substances that enter the body will not be too small.
What colorants are used in production?
One of the most popular is carotene, which is added to improve the color of orange drinks."Coca-Cola" and similar liquids are colored caramel. It is often used synthetic substance tartrazine - a dye of yellow color. It should not be used by patients with asthma, as well as women during pregnancy( may cause uterine contraction).
How drinks light contribute to obesity
The easiest way is to give us extra calories. The trap is hidden in the psychological effect. When we choose products light, it does not matter what exactly - drinks, cigarettes or other products, we feel the opportunity not to limit ourselves in quantity. And as a result - eat or drink much more than it would cost.
The magic sticker on the label makes our self-control relax. It is best to first compare the labels of both products - conventional and lightweight, and then determine the maximum allowable dose of consumption.
The components in beverages may also contribute to obesity. Most often this applies to aspartame, widely used in such products. This substance adversely affects our metabolism, stimulating the appetite and, as a result, causing weight gain.
Light drinks and aging of the body
Not only sugar, but also artificial sweeteners can affect the acceleration of skin aging by stimulating the decomposition of collagen and elastin forming it. But not only the sweeteners contained in these drinks are able to act as catalysts for such processes. Harmful effects have and synthetic additives. Dyes and preservatives can cause metabolic disorders that negatively affect the skin of the