“Don’t judge me, but I’m going to order dessert,” my friend Tom said, taking a sip of his soda before pulling out his reading glasses to inspect the dessert menu. While I wasn’t judging Tom for his decision to get dessert — we all need to indulge once in a while, after all — I was pretty surprised, considering his usual commitment to healthy living, that he didn’t seem to seem to notice that he was already sucking his dessert through a straw.
A single 12-ounce can of soda packs an average of 39 grams of sugar — that’s more than three times the amount you’d get in a Krispy Kreme glazed donut, and yet, we’re still drinking the stuff by the gallon. The CDC reports that 33 percent of the American population drinks at least one regular soda or other sweetened beverage per day, and according to the Associated Press, Americans end up gulping down a whopping 44 gallons of the stuff per year.
While soda sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup comes with its own risks, from increased risk of ailments like diabetes and tooth disease, the diet stuff isn’t much better. In fact, research suggests that diet soda drinkers have an increased likelihood of weight gain and increased waist measurements, as well. If you’re eager to get on the right track toward a healthier, fitter body, try enjoying the 40 Drinks That Fight Fat in place of sugary beverages. You’ll definitely want to swear off the sweet stuff for good when you discover the 40 Ways Soda is Killing You!