Want to Lose Weight? Swap Just One Sugary Drink per Day!
Sugary drinks are a major risk factor for diabetes and obesity. A small can of soda contains up to 30 teaspoons of sugar. Diet beverages aren’t better either. Loaded with additives, high-fructose corn syrup, and chemicals, they increase your risk of metabolic disorders and even cancer. Yet, the average U.S. adult consumes over 44 gallons of soda per year.
A new study conducted at Virginia Tech University has found that replacing just one sugary drink per day with water can help prevent obesity. Ditching the soda from your diet is the first step towards better health. In the long run, it can lower your risk of type II diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.
What Does Science Say?
Sugary drinks have been linked to an increased risk of weight gain and chronic diseases. Research also indicates that people who consume soda regularly are more likely to develop bad eating habits. Their diet is higher in sweets, refined grains, processed meats, and starches. Water and low calorie drinks, on the other hand, are linked to healthier eating habits.
According to the latest studies, swapping a single eight-ounce can of soda with the same amount of water can improve overall health. This simple lifestyle change can help reduce the calories coming from drinks by over six percent. If you can’t quit soda completely, replace just one serving with water. The benefits are immediate.
Why Is Soda Dangerous?
The side effects of soda go beyond weight gain. People who drink one or two cans a day have a 26 percent higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those who only consume these beverages occasionally. Drinking just one can a day increases your risk of having a heart attack by over 20 percent, and the risk of gout by 75 percent.
Sugary drinks are packed with empty calories and have no nutrients. Additionally, they contain harmful chemicals that promote tumor growth, cause toothy decay, and affect digestive health. Drinking more than two servings of soda per day raises your risk of heart attack by as much as 40 percent. Before taking the next sip, ask yourself: is it really worth it?
