Water vs. Soda Pop

In a nation where sugar is added to just about everything, it's not surprising that the U.S. is the leading consumer of soda. The average American drinks more soda than water. Soda is the primary source of added sugar in the American diet. With advertisements for soda and soda machines in public schools, children are especially susceptible to soda consumption. In California, nearly half of children ages 2 to 11 drink at least one soda or sugar-sweetened drink daily.

Soda Consumption

The California Center for Public Health Advocacy states that the average American consumes 50 gallons of soda and sweetened beverages each year. With an average of 17 tsp. in a 20 oz. serving, sodas and sweetened beverages are the largest source of added sugar. Regular consumption of soft drinks is directly linked to increased risks of obesity, metabolic abnormalities, high blood pressure and tooth decay. Today, soda consumption accounts for more than 200 calories in the average American's daily diet.

Benefits of Water

Water is necessary for your body and and organs to operate well. It carries nutrients to cells, flushes out internal organs and ensures proper kidney function. Water also helps maintain moisture levels in ear, nose and throat tissue. Proper hydration can also improve skin quality and aid digestion. You get water when you drink pure water, caffeine-free teas, or eat fruits and vegetables with high water content. Eating produce should not replace drinking water. MayoClinic.com suggests drinking eight 8 oz. cups of water a day.

Switching to Water

Weight loss and weight management, decreased risk of disease and heart health are some of the many health-related reasons to drink water instead of soda. A child who replaces his daily serving of soda with water is 60 percent less likely to become obese, according to the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. Reducing or eliminating your consumption of soda also reduces your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. A study published in the June 2010 issue of "Circulation" found that reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is directly related to reduced blood pressure levels.

Suggestions

Switching from soda to water can seem hard, but it's worth making the effort to make this a lifelong habit. Try mixing soda with water, and aim for a 50:50 ratio. This can help reduce your cravings for soda's flavor. If you drink several servings of soda each day, replace one of those servings with a glass of water at first, and increase the servings you replace until you are no longer drinking soda. If you find yourself craving a sweet beverage, drink a glass of 100 percent fruit juice instead of soda.