

This can promote the high dopamine response to the drink that may trigger dependence. That said, some helpful, general guidelines include: It can cause a number of physical health problems, like unwanted weight gain and tooth decay.īecause addiction is individual, it’s difficult to provide one-size-fits-all advice about how to prevent soda dependency. Soda addiction can be defined as drinking excessive amounts of soda and being unable to quit. No matter the cause, heavy sugar intake can cause unwanted weight gain and increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease ( 13, 14).ĭrinking sugary soda has also been linked to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in both adults and children ( 15, 16). This may be related to the effects of artificial sweeteners on gut health and cravings for sweet foods and drinks ( 11, 12). Studies have also linked diet soda intake to weight gain. This means that if you drink large amounts - for instance, 16 ounces (480 mL) with each meal - you could easily drink an extra 600 calories or more per day ( 10). The phosphoric acid in dark types of soda may also contribute to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by brittle bones ( 9).Īdditionally, heavy intake of both regular and diet soda can cause unwanted weight gain.įull-sugar soda contains about 100 calories - all from sugar - per 8-ounce (240-mL) serving. If you drink full-sugar soda instead of diet soda, this problem is magnified because sugar feeds the bacteria that form plaque, thus speeding up the process of tooth decay ( 8). Soda is acidic, and over time, it can discolor your teeth and wear out the enamel, thereby weakening your teeth and making you more prone to cavities and other dental issues ( 7). Soda dependency can have several side effects.

Symptoms of soda dependency are mostly related to your brain and nervous system function. However, soda addiction doesn’t have an official definition, and there’s currently not enough evidence to suggest that it’s a true disorder.įor the purposes of this article, soda addiction, or dependence on soda, can be defined as drinking excessive amounts of soda without being able to quit or moderate your intake - even if you experience negative effects.įood addictions - including soda addiction - can have many behaviors in common with drug addiction ( 2).īecause soda contains several potentially habit-forming substances like caffeine, sodium, and sugar or artificial sweeteners, it’s easier to become dependent on soda than you might think ( 3, 4, 5, 6).

People can become addicted to a variety of substances and behaviors, including drugs, prescription medications, sex, and smartphone usage. Addiction is a mental and physiological disorder characterized by the continued use of a substance even though it affects you negatively ( 1).
