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Can quitting soda make you sick?

Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, fatigue, headaches, and even feelings of depression ( 21 , 22 ). Usually, these withdrawal symptoms are due to quitting caffeine, and they typically last anywhere from 2–9 days ( 21 ).

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This article reviews the symptoms and side effects of soda dependency, as well as how to prevent or stop it. If soda cravings turn into dependency, mental and physical health issues can follow. Soda addiction, or dependence on soda, can lead to unwanted weight gain, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, dental issues, weakened bones, heart disease, and depression. Soda is a drink made with potentially habit-forming ingredients like caffeine and sugar, making it uniquely enjoyable and leading to cravings. People can become addicted to a variety of substances and behaviors, including drugs, prescription medications, sex, and smartphone usage. However, soda addiction doesn’t have an official definition, and there’s currently not enough evidence to suggest that it’s a true disorder. For 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. Food addictions — including soda addiction — can have many behaviors in common with drug addiction ( 2 ). Because 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 ).

Symptoms

Symptoms of soda dependency are mostly related to your brain and nervous system function. For instance, symptoms you may experience include:

strong cravings

a thirst that can only be satisfied by soda

a mental preoccupation with drinking soda

the inability to moderate your soda intake

Another symptom is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as a headache, irritability, depressed mood, or grogginess, when you’re unable to have soda.

Side effects

Soda dependency can have several side effects.

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 ). 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 ). The phosphoric acid in dark types of soda may also contribute to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by brittle bones ( 9 ). Full-sugar soda contains about 100 calories — all from sugar — per 8-ounce (240-mL) serving. 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 ). Studies have also linked diet soda intake to weight gain. This may be related to the effects of artificial sweeteners on gut health and cravings for sweet foods and drinks ( 11 , 12 ). 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 ). Drinking sugary soda has also been linked to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in both adults and children ( 15 , 16 ).

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