Metabolic Syndrome and Soft Drinks

Regular soft drinks have sugar and that adds calories to your diet. The sugar in sugary drinks also raise insulin levels. This causes you to put on more fat around your middle. This is called visceral fat. It's deep inside, around the stomach and other organs. Too much of this kind of fat raises certain proteins and triglycerides in the blood. High triglycerides, elevated blood sugar, and a large waist are 3 of the 5 traits used to diagnose metabolic syndrome.

When insulin is high after a sugary drink, it may increase your hunger. That hunger may lead to overeating. You might even reach for another soda.

Even diet soda can be a problem. Drinking diet soda on a regular basis can actually lead to weight gain. The exact reason is still unknown. It might be that diet soda triggers the insulin response. Or it might be that people often drink diet soda along with sugary foods that have this effect. It may be that artificial sweeteners bind to sweet taste buds. This causes hormonal changes in the digestive system that can contribute to metabolic syndrome.

Try to stop drinking or drink less of both regular and diet soft drinks. If you drink either regular or diet soda, have it with raw fruits and vegetables or nuts. The fiber in these foods can help control the insulin response. Plain coffee or tea should be a healthy choice. But don't add any cream or syrups that have sugar.

Read food labels that show grams of added sugar in drinks and other foods. This will help you to make healthier choices.