please understand the severity of this

I have re-typed this opening sentence about five times now, because I do not have the words to explain how important it is to STOP DRINKING SODAS!!!  (Here’s hoping the all caps gives the effect I’m looking for.)

You can go to many a link on this page about High Fructose Corn Syrup or Crystalline Fructose and read about the disease issues related to both of these chemicals…. (yes, CHEMICALS.  Make no mistake about it, despite what the Corn Bureau may say, these are chemicals.  They are not natural. They are not “just like sugar”).  To continue… first off, sodas are bad because of HFCS and the associated diseases.

However, I have a second, and maybe a more important reason why I am on my knees begging you to stop.  And, even if you do not want to stop, if you have a child… please have them stop.

Tests find Bisphenol A in majority of soft drinks: controversial chemical found in at least 84% of canned soda, with highest levels in energy drinks

I have written about the dangers of BPA and you can go to the dedicated section to read more.  But to summarize:

1.) BPA is used in the synthesis of plastic to make it more flexible.  It is used in canned goods as a “protective” liner to stop contact between the content and the metal.

2.) BPA is known to leach during heat (in plastic) and under acidic conditions (metal). (Sodas and energy drinks are HIGHLY acidic materials).

3.) BPA is a known hormone mimicker causing serious developmental problems in children leading to diseases such as cancer, insulin resistance, sterility, other fertility related illnesses such as spontaneous miscarriages, and the list goes on.

4.) In studies, it has been found to cross the blood brain barrier, resulting in cancers in less than 30 days of exposure

In other words, this is a chemical that we are all exposed to, however, due to its influence during developmental stages children are more affected by it than adults. There has been a push to create BPA free baby bottles and toys, which is great and necessary.

Until now, there had been very little research done on its levels in soda.  

I can’t tell you what to do or how to raise your children.  I will tell you that I think in America we are not only in an epidemic of obesity and food related illnesses, but we are harming our children in ways unimaginable.  Children today are exposed to much more than anything even 20 years ago… and I am not talking about racy music videos. I do feel it is up to the parents to stop being friends and start being parents, again, to their children and take control of how they eat and drink.

If someone doesn’t start acting soon, it may be too late.