Study Reveals Dangers of Sugary Drinks

Millions of people drink sodas and other sugary drinks on a daily basis. While many people assume that sodas and sugary beverages are harmless, a new study has found this isn't the case.

According to a new study conducted by researchers in Canada, sodas and other sugary beverages will result in more than 63,000 deaths over the next 25 years. Furthermore, they will likely have a significant impact on the country's healthcare system.

Researchers found that the consumption of sugary drinks has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, stroke, and even some types of cancer.

So, just how much soda and sugary drinks are Canadians consuming? Researchers say that in 2015 Canadians purchased about 444 ml of sugary drinks per capita (including 100% fruit juice). This data was acquired from the market research company Euromonitor International. To put those numbers into perspective, that translates into roughly one can of soda per person per day. What's even more alarming, however, is that youth between the ages of 9 and 19 consumed 578 ml of sugary drinks per day. And being that a typical 12-ounce soda contains 64 grams of sugar, that's well over the recommended daily limit.

The study also found that per capita sales of soda and sugary beverages increased from 2001 to 2015, signaling a disturbing trend in which more people are drinking sugary beverages.

"Sugary drinks are the single largest contributor of sugar in the average Canadian diet," said Robert Nuttall, assistant director of health policy at the Canadian Cancer Society and the study's lead researcher and author. "Excess sugar intake is directly linked to excess weight, which increases the risk of at least 11 different cancers. Eating a healthy diet, with lots of vegetables and fruit, lots of fibre and little fat and sugar, helps maintain a healthy body weight and reduces the risk of cancer," he added.

The bottom line is that sodas and sugary beverages will take a toll on your health in more ways than just one. They increase the risk of many diseases, some of which include heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. Furthermore, regular consumption of soda and sugary beverages has been linked to tooth decay and gum disease.

If you currently drink one or more sugary beverages on a daily basis, you should try cutting back and replacing those beverages with water. Many people report an almost immediate improvement in their health after making the transition from sugary beverages to H2O. You'll feel healthier, more energized, and possibly even happier after making the transition.