by Lorri B Smalls

Created on: August 06, 2008

If you spent two days in a desert without anything to drink and then suddenly stumbled upon a bottle of water and a can of Pepsi, which one would you need to drink to live? Even though water is essential to sustain life, overall soda seems to reign supreme in our American culture. Aside from alcoholic drinks soda is promoted over water as the most desired beverage to serve at many social events during the year. Not only is soda flavorful-giving you a delightful fizz sensation as it trickles over your tongue, there's that instant sugar boost that many seem to crave. It's true that in moderate amounts sugar is needed for energy by the body. And while soda can be a refreshing compliment to a meal,excessive consumption of soda can be like toxic waste to your skin, teeth, kidneys and liver.

Some people prefer to drink clear soda versus the dark variety thinking that the clear soda is the lesser of two evils. However, a close observation found on the nutritional facts information of a regular can of Pepsi and a regular can of Sprite shows little difference between the two soft drinks. Sprite was only ten calories lower than Pepsi, and only 3grams lower for carbs and sugar while Pepsi had 38mg of caffeine Sprite contained more sodium content. Research on soda indicates that chemicals in beverages sweetened with high fructose corn syrup called reactive carbonyls may increase the risk of diabetes. In addition the caffeine and phosphoric acid in colas may thin the bones of those who frequently consume them. Both the high fructose corn syrup in regular soda and artificial sweetners in the diet varieties m ay kick the pancreas into overdrive. Which boosts insulin levels and can cause weight gain. If you substitute water for soda you can cut out up to 1,000 empty calories from your diet.

The dilemna with getting people to drink more water is transferring the importance of nutrition verus instant gratification of the senses in advertising. Soda, not water is promoted over the holidays especially as being the beverage of choice to serve to family and friends. There are now many healthy alternatives to soda that are out on the market such as soda water that offers that refreshing fizz.If you must drink a soda, opt for one that is low-sugar, but not sweetened with chemicals that may harm you, and choose sodas that don't contain caffeine. Most colas are high in caffeine. Visit the local health food store and ask if it carries fruit-juice flavored sodas or sodas sweetened with stevia, a sweetener that doesn't raise blood glucouse levels. These are just a few suggestions as to how we can all start living a more healthy life in today's world.

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