We all know that choosing to drink a soda over a glass of water is not the best choice, but there is something so addictive about those sugary bubbles and soda is sometimes hard to resist.  Because soda is an addiction, however, there are some things we think you should know about how soda affects your body.  Similar to smoking or drinking alcohol, it feels good to consume soda.  Unfortunately, an increasing amount of research is beginning to decry the negative effects of soda consumption, especially if you drink it on a regular basis.  In fact, evidence shows that your health will likely improve dramatically once you begin choosing a cool glass of water over a Coke or even a Diet Pepsi as almost every organ in the human body responds negatively to the consumption of soda.  Take a look at how soda affects these vital organs and we think you will agree… it may be time to quit.

Heart:  A 2012 Harvard University study determined that consuming sugary drinks significantly increases a person’s risk of chronic heart disease and participants in the study who drank the most soda were 20% more likely to have a heart attack.  In other words, choosing to drink water instead of soda is one of the best things you can do for one of the most vital organs in your body.  Another similar study published in 2011 discovered that sugary beverages raise blood pressure as well and the increase has a direct link to the amount of soda you consume.  If you want to be heart healthy, soda is off the menu.

Bladder:  Because soda is a diuretic, it will make your bladder work harder, causing you to urinate more frequently and urgently.  Soda can irritate your bladder as well, leading to an increase in bladder or urinary tract infections.  Drinking clear fluids, like water or seltzer water, will keep your bladder cleaner, allowing it to function better.

Bones:  If you want strong and healthy bones, giving up soda is step number 1.  Soda can weaken bone health and increase your risk of osteoporosis.  In addition, the less soda you drink, the more milk you may drink and such calcium rich drinks actually benefit your bones, making you stronger and healthier.

Kidneys:  Studies have shown that drinking a lot of soda can increase your risk of kidney disease and even ultimately increase your risk of renal failure.  Diet sodas are just as damaging and researchers from the Nurses’ Health Study found that women who drank a substantial amount of diet soda every day had decreased liver function compared to women who did not drink soda at all.  Bottom line:  your kidneys don’t need all the sugary soda and don’t know how to process it.

Weight Loss:  If strong and healthy organs aren’t enough to convince you to quit drinking soda, would you believe that cutting soda from your diet is one of the easiest ways to lose weight?  According to certain weight loss experts, dropping just one large Coke from your diet a day could reduce your annual caloric intake by over 200,000 calories.  This is the equivalent of losing 60 lbs. of weight – in just one year!  Even diet soda drinkers run the risk of weight gain, so don’t be fooled.  Some studies have shown that there is a possible link between diet soda and increased appetite, leading to increased weight gain.  Either way, the evidence is clear.  A good way to overcome being overweight is to replace your daily soda with water.

For those of us who love our soda, quitting can be just as hard as quitting smoking or letting go of other addictive behaviors and substances.  The benefits, however, are indisputable.  Losing the soda in your diet will not only help you feel better, it will help you live better… and living better is always the best choice.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

Almost every year, listed among the top 10 New Year’s resolutions are a desire to lose weight, a desire to stay fit and healthy, and a desire to quit smoking.  Not surprisingly, 2015 is no different.  Of course, as we all know there is a big difference between a desire to do something and a determination to make something happen and most of that difference hinges on the word resolve.  Webster’s Dictionary defines resolve as “a definite and serious decision to do something” and it defines the word resolution as “the act of determining or solving a conflict or problem.”  This year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina encourages you to make some healthy resolutions and to make a BCBSNC health plan part of your healthier new year.

Perhaps your goal is to shed some extra pounds or make lifestyle changes that will help you be more fit.  Becoming a Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina member gives you immediate access to Blue Connect, a new personalized way to manage not only your health care needs, but also your fitness goals.  Blue Connect partners with every BCBSNC member in preventive care maintenance by allowing you to track your daily fitness, weight loss goals and nutrition plans as well as helping you link the fitness apps you already use as part of your daily wellness regimen.  This will help you manage your fitness or weight loss resolutions and put you on the road to a healthier 2015.  Also, don’t forget that every Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan covers preventive care at 100%, giving you the peace of mind of knowing you can stay well.

As always, before starting any weight loss or fitness program, consult your doctor first and get his/her clearance for physical activity and find out if there are any issues that would affect your participating in a new nutrition and fitness program.

If quitting smoking is your 2015 New Year’s Resolution, then Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers a substantial incentive toward that goal as well.  Did you know you can save 20% on your health insurance policy simply by becoming a non-smoker?  If you are currently paying a premium rate based on being a smoker, resolving to quit smoking in 2015 and sticking with it for twelve months will offer you the opportunity to appeal for a rate change based on a new non-smoker status.  Being a smoke free member of BCBSNC will not only increase your overall wellness, it can actually put money back in your wallet.

We all know resolutions are easy to make and hard to keep.  In fact, studies show that typically only 8% of New Year’s Resolutions are actually carried out, but percentages don’t write stories.  People do!  2015 is a New Year and you get to write your own story.  Becoming a Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC member could be one of the best resolutions you ever make toward a happier, healthier year.

For more information on Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina health insurance coverage, the Marketplace and healthcare gov  to apply for your subsidy, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our experienced and professional agents.  Let us help you navigate through the Health Care Reform changes in accordance with the new regulations of The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama care.

You get out what you put in

For the sedentary people in your workforce, exercising a full hour each day might seem like too big a hill to climb. But new approaches show that people can adjust their exercise time, if they’re willing to adjust their expectations accordingly.

Thirty minutes a day? Much better than the “zero minutes” many people put in.

Sixty minutes? Now you’re managing your weight, probably losing some and reducing your risk of dying by another 10 to 15 percent.

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