According to a new report, consumption of soft drinks in large amounts mounts the risk of respiratory problems. It has been observed by a group of researchers at the Discipline of Medicine at the University of Adelaide that soda intake could raise breathing problems.

The team of analysts studied nearly 16,000 people above 16 years of years, examining their habits of soda consumption. The study was conducted with the help of the South Australian Monitoring and Surveillance System that was used to measure the intake of soda by a person. It was concluded by the team after the survey that minimum one in a ten people used to drink half litre of soda each day.

The reporters were also told by the team that people who consumed half litre of soda daily were double at the risk of developing respiratory diseases such as COPD i. e. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder or Asthma. Also, they said that the rate of risk of developing asthma was considerably higher than that of COPD.

Further, the occurrence of either of the two diseases was more likely amongst smokers as against people who did not smoke at all. It was revealed in the analysis that smokers who drank half litre of soft drinks daily were more at a chance of having the diseases of asthma and COPD.

However, it has not been confirmed yet that the diseases are the consequences of soda intake alone or an overall unhealthy diet, says the panel. Also, it is for the first time ever that soda intake is found to result in such respiratory diseases. While previous studies had only linked the consumption of soft drinks or sweetened carbonated beverages with heart disease and stroke.

"Promoting a healthy lifestyle should be encouraged as one means of preventing asthma/COPD", said Zumin Shi, MD, of the University of Adelaide in Australia, and colleagues.