Sodas are notoriously high in sugar. According to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should eat no more than 8 tsp. of sugar a day. The average can of soda has more than 10 tsp. of sugar. Although diet sodas are sugar-free, other popular drinks, like bottled iced tea, energy drinks and sweetened bottled fruit juice can contain very large amounts of sugar. When reading labels to determine the amount of sugar in a specific drink, keep in mind that 4 g of sugar equals 1 tsp.
Colas
The non-diet versions of both Pepsi and Coca-Cola contain very high amounts of sugar. A can of regular Pepsi has 41 g of sugar, whereas a can of classic Coca-Cola contains a little over 39 g -- just half a tsp less than the Pepsi. Dr. Pepper is right in the middle at 40 g. Special cola flavors contain more sugar. For example, Pepsi Wild Cherry contains 42.8 g whereas a Coke Vanilla contains 44.2 g.
Orange Sodas
Orange sodas contain more sugar than any other type. According to Diet Blog, Sunkist and Fanta make the top 10 list of drinks with the most sugar. A can of Sunkist contains 52 g of sugar, whereas a can of Fanta contains 51.5 g. A can of Orange Slice is just slightly less at 50 g.
Lemon-Lime Sodas
Among the lemon-lime sodas, Mountain Dew contains the most sugar, at almost 46 g per can. A can of Sprite has slightly less at 40.1 g, followed by 7-Up at 39 g. Not all the diet lemon-lime sodas are 100 percent sugar free. For example, a Diet 7-Up contains 0.5 g of sugar, and a Diet Mountain Dew contains 5.4 g of sugar.
Effect on Health
According to a 2006 article in "The San Diego Union Tribune," sodas are one of the main culprits of obesity in America. In fact, Americans get 20 percent of their daily calories from liquids. Sodas provide empty calories, which means they contain no nutrition beyond calories. High-fructose corn syrup, the sweetener most often used in sodas, can increase triglycerides, a risk factor for heart disease and diabetes.
References
- Diet Blog: The 7 Most Sugar-Filled Drinks
- Boston.com: The Sugar in Soda
- University of Wichita: Sugar in Soda
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005: Carbohydrates
- Clermont College: Amount of Sugar in Various Kinds of Soft Drinks
- "The San Diego Union Tribune"; Soda Causes Obesity, Researchers Assert; Marilynn Marchione; March 2006
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