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8 Harmful Ways Soda Can Affect Your Body

Soda is a widely enjoyed drink, but drinking it often can cause health problems. It can lead to weight gain and weaken bones due to its high sugar and added chemicals. Here are some harmful effects soda can have on your body.

Causing Weight Gain

Soda has a lot of added sugar but no real nutrients. Since it’s a liquid, it doesn’t make you feel full like solid food does, so you may end up drinking too many calories. Studies show that people who drink sugary sodas every day are more likely to gain weight and become overweight than those who don’t.

Affecting Bone Health

Many people worry that soda, especially cola, can make bones weaker. Some think this is because of an ingredient called phosphoric acid, but research shows it’s not the main problem. The real issue is that drinking soda often replaces healthier drinks like milk, which provides calcium for strong bones. Getting enough calcium can help protect bones from any effects of caffeine in cola.

Blood Sugar and Diabetes Risk

Drinking sugary soda can cause a quick rise in blood sugar, making the body less able to use insulin over time. Having just one soda a day has been linked to a higher chance of getting type 2 diabetes. A study found that adding 150 extra calories of sugar to your daily diet can increase the risk of diabetes by 1.1%.

Liver Damage (NAFLD)

Soda contains fructose, a type of sugar that is processed by the liver. Drinking too much soda can cause fat to build up in the liver, leading to a condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). If it gets worse, it can cause serious liver problems. This is why it’s important to limit sugary drinks.

Tooth Damage

Soda contains acids and sugars that can harm teeth. The acids wear down enamel, while the sugars feed bacteria that create even more acid, leading to cavities and infections. Drinking soda often can greatly increase the risk of tooth decay.

Heart Health Risks

Drinking soda regularly can raise blood pressure, increase bad cholesterol, and lead to a higher risk of heart disease. Studies show that having just one soda a day can increase the chances of a heart attack or heart-related death by 20%.

Healthier Drink Options for Strong Bones

Switching from soda to drinks rich in calcium, like milk or fortified plant-based options, can help keep bones strong, especially for kids and teens. Carbonated mineral water with calcium is also a great alternative, providing hydration without the harmful effects of soda.

Risk of Gout

Drinking sugary soda can raise uric acid levels, which increases the risk of gout. The fructose in soda triggers uric acid production, and studies show that regular soda drinkers have a much higher chance of developing gout—up to 75% more in women and nearly 50% more in men.

Better Drink Choices

Although soda might feel like a harmless treat, its long-term health effects can be serious. It can lead to weight gain, diabetes, weak bones, and heart problems, offering little besides its sweet taste. Choosing healthier drinks like water, herbal tea, or drinks rich in calcium can greatly improve health and lower the risk of long-term diseases.

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Homeless Man Asked Me to Take His Dog – A Month Later, I Received a Mysterious Letter

It was a day like any other, a simple trip to the grocery store, when my life took an unexpected turn. I never thought a simple question from a homeless man would change everything. That day, he looked at me and asked, “Will you take my dog?”

My life had been difficult. A year had passed since my husband, Jason, died in a car accident. I was now a single mom, trying to raise our eight-year-old son, Liam. The sadness of losing Jason was always with me, and even though I tried to be strong for Liam, every day felt like a hard fight. But Liam, with his kind heart, just like Jason, gave me the strength to keep going.

On that particular afternoon, Liam and I were leaving the grocery store. Liam saw a man sitting on the edge of the parking lot. The man had a small, thin dog with him. Liam pulled on my sleeve, worried about the shivering dog. “Mom, can we help?” he asked.

I wasn’t sure. Money was tight, and I already had a lot to handle. But before I could answer, the man came to us. His face showed how much he was suffering. He told us his dog, Daisy, was the only thing he had, but he couldn’t take care of her anymore. He asked if we could take her. His eyes were full of tears. Liam, always wanting to help, asked me to say yes. I couldn’t refuse.

Daisy came home with us that day. Even though I was worried at first, she quickly became part of our family. Liam loved taking care of her. He even read her bedtime stories, saying she liked “Goodnight Moon” the best. Having her in our home brought a happiness I hadn’t felt since Jason’s death. It was like a little light in a dark room.

A month later, we got a letter in the mail. It didn’t have a return address. It was from the man we met that day. The words in his letter told us how much Daisy meant to him. He was thankful we were taking care of her. He wrote that he thought about her every day and would never forget her friendship during hard times.

Liam read the letter with me and said we had to find him. “He shouldn’t be alone, Mom,” he said. I agreed. With Daisy, we went back to the grocery store and found him at a soup kitchen. When Daisy saw him, she ran to him, her tail wagging. He held her close, crying. It was a very touching moment.

That day started a good thing. We began to visit him often, bringing food and things he needed. Daisy spent time with him. We learned his name was Edward, and he had gone through very difficult times. Even with all that, he loved Daisy very much.

A few months later, we got another letter. This time, Edward had found a job and a small place to live. He thanked us for giving him hope when he had none. He promised to stay in touch. And he did. Edward became a friend to our family, and Daisy loved being with him.

Then I think about that day in the parking lot, I wonder what would have happened if I had said no. Helping Edward and Daisy helped them, but it also showed Liam and me how important kindness is. It taught Liam that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. It reminded me that even when we are having problems, we can still help others.

Sometimes, life gives us chances to help. Saying yes that day didn’t just save Daisy. It brought hope and love to three people, creating a story of kindness that continues to inspire me. In a world that can be unkind, moments like these show us how powerful a simple act of caring can be

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Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s child debuts new name

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s middle child seemingly unveiled a new name Saturday during a memorial service for Garner’s father, William Garner.

During the event, the 15-year-old introduced themselves as Fin.

The teen, previously known as Seraphina Rose, dressed in a suit and tie while sporting a buzz cut.

After introducing themselves as Fin Affleck, they read Chapter 16, Verse 8 from the Book of Proverbs.

Prior to their appearance at their grandfather’s memorial service in West Virginia, Fin had been spotted rocking a pink buzz cut and hanging out with their step-sibling Emme, the 16-year-old child of Jennifer Lopez.

Jennifer announced her father’s passing over the Easter weekend with an emotional tribute shared to her Instagram.

Facebook / Christ Church United Methodist

“My dad passed peacefully Saturday afternoon. We were with him, singing Amazing Grace as he left us (did we carry him across or scare him away— valid question.) While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85 year old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners.”

The actress went on to thank Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope for “extending” her father’s life and allowing him to spend his final moments “in his favorite spots— surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat, and— most of all—next to his wife of 59 years, our Mom.”

Fin Affleck is the middle child of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. They have an older sister, 18-year-old Violet Anne, and a younger brother 12-year-old Samuel.

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Melania’s verdict on her husband revealed in new book

If there’s one thing that’s been making headlines lately, it’s the Trump family.

Following Donald Trump’s return to the White House after winning the 2024 election, media coverage of his family has been relentless.

Their son, Barron Trump, has drawn significant attention, making multiple public appearances during the campaign. His presence at the inauguration celebration sparked discussions about everything from his towering height to his charisma.

Even after settling back into a ”normal” life at New York University, the fascination with Barron has not faded But another key figure under the spotlight is, of course, Melania Trump.

As the First Lady of the United States, all eyes are naturally on her.

Having already experienced life in the White House from 2016 to 2020, Melania is no stranger to scrutiny.

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Shortly after Donald Trump returned to office, speculation ramped up over everything from her wardrobe choices to the couple’s inaugural dance.

But the real question on everyone’s mind: What’s the true state of Melania and Donald’s relationship?

Now, one insider claims to have the answer.

”She hates Him

According to The Daily Beast, bestselling author Michael Wolff is preparing to release a new book, All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America, that promises to reveal what’s really going on between the Trumps.

Wolff reportedly spoke to a trusted source who painted a bleak picture of their marriage.

“She f—ing hates him,” a “Mar-a-Lago patio confidant” of Trump and his family told Michael Wolff.

The best-selling author writes that his source was “bewildered that this needed saying.”

”Part-time first lady

In his book, Wolff also suggests that Trump refused to acknowledge during his campaign that ”the most public marriage in the nation was breaking down,” even though it appeared to be doing so in public.

He also alleges that members of Trump’s own staff had no idea where Melania was living. For 18 months, she reportedly made no public appearances before finally showing up at an event in Milwaukee in July 2024. Even then, she allegedly refused to give a speech.

The book also points out her absence during Trump’s legal battles, choosing not to stand by his side in court.

Barron Trump (left), Melania Trump (right). Credit: Getty Images
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Wolff writes that “whatever was going on—and no one had any idea what was going on, at least no more than what was plainly obvious—it had certainly not been helped by the Stormy trial,” referring to the criminal case in which Trump was convicted on 34 felony charges related to a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Instead, he claims Melania took on a passive role as a “part-time First Lady” and preferred to stay at Trump Tower in Manhattan to be closer to Barron.

According to Wolff, Melania’s book Melania, released in October 2024, took Trump’s campaign by surprise. He notes that it remained uncertain whether the publication was “a diss or a kiss (of course from afar)” directed at her husband.

Trump’s team dismisses the book

Trump’s team was quick to dismiss Wolff’s claims even before the book was released. In a statement, several key campaign figures, including co-chairs Susie Wiles — now the president’s chief of staff — and Chris LaCivita, announced:

“A number of us have received inquiries from the disgraced author Michael Wolff, whose previous work can only be described as fiction. He is a known peddler of fake news who routinely concocts situations, conversations, and conclusions that never happened. As a group, we have decided not to respond to his bad faith inquiries, and we encourage others to completely disregard whatever nonsense he eventually publishes. Consider this our blanket response to whatever he writes.”

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Wolff, however, describes the Trump marriage as a “black hole” where no one —perhaps not even those closest to them—knows the full truth.

“Nobody knows the answer to the what-about-Melania question. Not even the people closest to him. What is the nature of the marriage. Nobody can tell you.”

The book, titled “All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America,” is set to be released soon.

What do you think about these revelations? Let us know in the comments—and don’t forget to share this article so more people can join the discussion!

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