Most sodas average 150 calories per can, plus 10 teaspoons of added sugar. Studies reflect 75% of us are dehydrated on a regular basis. Sadly, more than 30% of us think sodas will quench our hydration needs. In addition to the fact we easily mistake thirst for hunger and start eating to satisfy the wrong urge.

• Dehydration (the lack of water) is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue. Here are some quick facts:
• Mild dehydration will slow down the body’s metabolism rate as much as 3%.
• One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs 100%,
• 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and other joint pains,
• 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page,
• Drinking five glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%; slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%; and one glass is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer,
• The Beverage Guidance Panel recommends at least four servings a day of water for women and at least six servings for men.

It has been a complete year with no sodas and my body is feeling much better. Stopping my soda intake was mind over matter with a firm commitment to make it happen. I have talked with people who reduced their personal consumption of sugary sodas by switching to diet sodas. Although diet sodas are calorie free, the data is incomplete as to whether these drinks can be linked to cancer or other ailments.

Products like Ensure or SlimFast imply they are good for our health, but when you read the label the first four ingredients are the same as soda (water, white sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin).   Still, when you decide to stop, make sure there is no caffeine addiction in your soda consumption. Seeing as, you may need to know that you are stopping two bad habits in the process.

Stock up on plenty of tasty non-soda drinks. Such as soymilk or skim milk which has protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients (both have some sugar). Although 100% fruit or vegetable juice contains important nutrients, you need to know that there are plenty of calories (about 100 in 1 cup of fresh orange or carrot juice). Green tea is calorie free and has antioxidants, but make sure that it is caffeine-free green.

Even though I find plain water unexciting, I will add non-caloric flavors to my water like mint or a slice of lemon. All the same, when you need to quench your thirst or hydrate your body, stick with God’s water design–H2O.

— Www.SugarAlert.com —
Dean L. Jones is a marketing strategist with the Southland Partnership Corporation, a public benefit organization.  He has published a series of consumer alert articles based on his view of barefaced mismanagement of food/beverage products.