Induction of Acidic Imbalance by Carbonated Beverages and the Development of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Regular and excessive ingestion of substances that contain or produce acid can increase blood acidity either by building up acid load or loss of bicarbonate; either way can result in mild metabolic acidosis.  Excessive and regular intake of carbonated beverages leads to weight gain and increase sugar and acid load in the body. Major characteristic properties of carbonated beverages are high carbon dioxide content, acidity and high levels of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Cessation of carbonated beverage consumption is commonly recommended as part of lifestyle modifications for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Carbonated beverage consumption can result in a transient decline in stomach pH. In addition, it may also lead to a transient reduction in the level bicarbonate buffer leaving so many bicarbonate depending metabolic processes compromised. The high acidic and sugar content of some carbonated beverages makes them a good candidate for inducing systemic acid-base imbalance overtime and result in mild metabolic acidosis which have been shown to be one among other factors responsible for insulin resistance. The present review attempts to link excessive consumption of carbonated beverages, insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes.