Diana Doll: Every family should keep caffeinated, sugary drinks from kids

Re “Why should we subsidize soda habit?” (Opinions, Jan. 22): The Bee editorial deserves a serious reading. Diabetes is now common and its effects are not always obvious. Please don’t be fooled; it is a continuous, stressful burden and, if poorly controlled, can cause heart disease, blindness, loss of limbs, kidney failure and more.

But obesity and disease are only part of the soda problem. Because the enamel of new adult teeth takes years to completely harden, the sugar in drinks causes cavities and the acid erodes the enamel. Caffeine also can cause less calcium availability for bones, nervousness, insomnia, teeth-grinding and increased blood pressure – all especially damaging to the young. Obviously, these effects apply, in spades, to ever more popular coffee drinks. In addition, coffee causes yellowing of the teeth and is addicting.

While others can decide whether to change any laws concerning food stamps, soda size, or caffeine marketing, I hope this information will be helpful to families’ decision making. To your health!

This story was originally published January 26, 2015 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Diana Doll: Every family should keep caffeinated, sugary drinks from kids."