Thums Up was launched in the Indian market in 1977 and has since become a household name. It was acquired by The Coca-Cola Company in 1993.
Today, Thums Up is one of the leading colas in India, with 20 percent of the market share for all carbonated drinks. It is popular among teenagers, young adults, and people in their 30s and 40s.
While Thums Up is generally safe to consume, there are some potential side effects that you should be aware of, especially if you drink it too often.
In this post, I have compiled a list of 5 side effects that make Thums Up bad for your health.
But before that, let’s look at its nutritional value and ingredients.
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Nutritional value of Thums Up
A 100ml serving of Thums Up contains:
- Calories: 42
- Carbs: 10.6g
- Sugar: 10.4g
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Sodium: 0.8mg
Ingredients in Thums Up
- Carbonated water
- Sugar
- Acidity regulator(338)
- Caffeine
- Color (150d)
- Natural & artificial flavors
5 Possible side effects of Thums Up
Thums Up is associated with weight gain
One of the most significant risks associated with Thums Up is its potential to cause weight gain, as it is high in sugar.
The smallest pet bottle of Thums Up (250ml) contains 26g of sugar. That is the equivalent of more than 6 teaspoons of sugar. For adults, this exceeds the daily limit by 86%. For children and teens, it is more than 100% of the daily limit.
Even current studies support that people who often consume carbonated drinks are more likely to experience weight gain and obesity[2].
Additionally, some studies have found that consuming large amounts of carbonated drinks increases the risk of developing Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)[3].
And the worst thing is that no specific therapy has been approved if you develop NAFLD. The only feasible approach to prevent and treat this disease is through dietary modification.
Also read: Is Pepsi Black Healthy? Everything You Need To Know
Increased risk of diabetes
The highly-added sugar in Thums Up increases not only your weight but also the risk of diabetes.
As per findings, sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with a 30% increased risk of type-2 diabetes[4].
If you are already a patient with diabetes, drinking carbonated drinks like Thums Up can elevate your blood sugar levels.
Terrible for your bones
Consuming Thums Up too often can be terrible for your bones as it contains phosphoric acid.
Studies have shown that intake of phosphoric acid can leach calcium from the bones, leading to osteoporosis and other bone problems.
Also, women who consume too many drinks containing this acid are associated with lower BMI[5].
Link with cancer
The brownish color that Thums up gets is due to the caramel color (150d). It is the same color used in Coke, Pepsi, and many other food products.
While authorities deem this color safe, some sources claim it has a link to cancer because it contains 4-MEI.
Additionally, it might cause high blood pressure and decreased immune system functioning[6].
Tooth decay
One of the biggest problems with sugar-loaded carbonated drinks is that they can cause tooth decay (especially in children).
Your mouth is naturally filled with many bacteria. When you drink Sugar loaded carbonated drinks, these bacteria combine with sugar and produce acids that bind to tooth enamel and cause damage.
Additionally, enough evidence shows that consuming carbonated drinks too often is linked with complex dental consequences, including dental erosion and caries[7].
Final words
While Thums Up can quench your thirst and provide refreshment and satisfaction, it is not good for your health.
Thums Up is loaded with sugar, which can lead to weight gain, increased risk of diabetes, and tooth decay. In addition, it is terrible for your bones and contains controversial caramel color.
So the next time you reach for a Thums Up, remember to consume it in limited amounts or avoid it altogether.
Believe me or not but ditching carbonated drinks from your diet can improve your health by 20X.
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