[ELI5] Why is soda (pop) considered “bad” for you?

Question

I get this all the time at the doctor’s office, but they never say what the particular mechanism is that *makes* it bad for you. So, what is it? Is it just “empty calories”? How can that have a negative impact on your kidneys (I hear a lot that drinking soda will give me kidney stones)?

I’m in ELI5, but ELI15 or even ELI25 would be preferred (non medical student level, though)

In: 3

Answer 1

Also, cola sodas can have phosphoric acid in them, which is bad for teeth, probably not great for your stomach. Since that acid reacts with calcium, that could be what contributes to kidney stones?