Do you drink soda regularly? Or do you indulge when you have a craving? I know I’ve let my root beer cravings take over quite a few times without thinking about the effects on my body.
Nearly all soft drinks contain a sweetener called fructose. Fructose metabolizes primarily in the liver leaving fatty acids that can contribute to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Even moderate amounts of fructose can lead to “dangerous gyrations in blood sugar levels, escalating insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, added fat around the middle, obesity, poor cholesterol profiles and other metabolic disruptions,” according to a New York Times article.
Researchers are now looking at interactions between physical activity and fructose, to see if physical activity can offset the effects of soda. Two new studies found people who consume fructose can minimize the health risks if they get up and move around ““ specifically walk 12,000 steps (about six miles) a day. Thinking about dusting off your pedometer?
The data from the studies specifically showed for “people who moved more, their cholesterol and blood sugar levels remained normal, even when consuming two fructose-rich servings of soda every day for two weeks.”
Bottom line: you can’t eat and drink whatever you want, but if you decide to give in to your soda temptation, remember to get up and move. Park your car further away from stores, take stairs instead of elevators ““ just sit less and move more.
