Soda & Soft Drinks
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Soda
With its sweet taste and fizzy bubbles, soda is one of the most popular beverages on the market. If you want to drink a delicious soda every once in a while, there's no harm in enjoying these sweet beverages on occasion. However, too much soda consumption can be bad for your health if you don't know what to look for when you read the nutrition and ingredient labels. With new types of soda coming out all the time, there are a few healthy alternatives that can still give you your soda fix minus the sugar and calories, like sugar free soda.
Soda Nutrition Facts
It might surprise you to learn that an average 20-ounce bottle of soda actually contains 2.5 servings instead of just one. Make sure you read the nutrition facts on the label so you know how much you're consuming. A single serving is actually just eight ounces. Soda has no nutritional value, so when you drink it, you're consuming "empty calories" that can contribute to weight gain. Most regular full-calorie sodas contain high-fructose corn syrup or cane syrup which can cause health problems like diabetes. Diet sodas usually contain sucralose or other forms of alternative sweeteners. While diet soda usually has no calories, it can still have some negative effects on your health.
Soda Health Risks
If you love the taste of soda, there's not much harm in drinking an occasional glass or two every once in a while. However, consuming soda on a daily basis can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and may even contribute to potential heart problems. The high-fructose corn syrup in most big brand name sodas can turn to fat inside the liver, leading to obesity and other issues. Too much soda also adds to belly fat, which can make it almost impossible to lose weight, even if you're doing everything else "by the book."
Soda Alternatives
Fortunately, there are lots of excellent alternatives available to traditional soda. If you just enjoy the carbonation, try sparkling water with a mild hint of flavor instead. Some new soda brands are using real cane sugar in lieu of high-fructose corn syrup. This will give you the delicious taste you love, but that sweet flavor is coming from a much safer and more natural source. You should still try to keep your soda consumption a minimum. Instead, drink water, tea, or milk to quench your thirst. If you don't like water , add a squeeze of lemon to make it taste sweeter. Soda is an awesome beverage, just as long as you consume it wisely and in moderation.