[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

Consuming excessive amounts of fructose, especially from the corn syrup used in the production of soft drinks can reduce the amount of potassium in the human body resulting in hypokalemia, which can result in a heart attack. https://youtu.be/wCKggwYEp9Y