In defense of my vice: sweets, soda

Pepsi, Coke, 7 UP, processed foods, diabetes, cancer, death.

What do these things all have in common?

The Sweet Tea and Sodas...

My vice was Pepsi. Although I still occasionally drink one, I discovered that soft drinks in general were contributing to, if not the cause my Gastric Reflux problem (GERD).



I started drinking Pepsi, as well as RC Cola, and an occasional Coca Cola, pretty much like most people do, it's refreshing, cold, and it tastes good. I also liked to have a Root Beer Float on occasion, or a Strawberry Float every once in awhile.



I had been taking prescription medication for quite a few years to help keep it under control, and when I had a allergic reaction to Keflex (an antibiotic) that my pain control specialist had given me to prevent infection after surgery to implant a spinal cord stimulator for chronic intractable pain from spinal cord damage.



About two or three days after I began taking the Keflex, I began having G.I. bleeding.



In any case, I ended up on IV nutrition for about four weeks. During that time, I was not taking anything in by mouth, to allow my digestive problems to heal. Once I was again able to eat something, I was on a very bland diet to allow my innards to regroup, and finally accept real food again.



Even after I started eating again, I had no problem with the GERD, until I started to feel well enough that I had a Pepsi a couple time a week. Then, I started having a Pepsi more like one a day. That's when the problem again began to raise it's ugly head.



I then did my own trial and discovered that whenever I drank Pepsi, or any carbonated drink, even on a semi regular basis, I started having trouble.



So, I stopped, because I didn't want to get throat cancer, or any other kind of cancer.



I stopped, because not only is it causing my to develop uncomfortable and downright painful symptoms, and it could possible contribute to my earlier than necessary demise.



I also stopped due tot he fact I was very close to contracting Type 2 Diabetes. I very seldom have sugar at all now, and I am also very watchful and selective about eating anything that contains "high fructose corn syrup."



It all goes back to YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.



Sugars change your body chemistry from alkaline to acidic, which is very detrimental to your immune system, leaving you more prone to infection, viruses, and becoming a diabetic, as well