The document debunks several myths about sugary drinks, highlighting that fruit drinks often contain little fruit juice and that both diet and regular sodas pose health risks. It emphasizes the links between soft drink consumption and obesity, diabetes, and other health issues, stressing the importance of reducing intake for better health outcomes. Additionally, the document points out the aggressive marketing strategies targeting youth and the alarming statistics regarding sugary drink consumption in America.

2. Myth: Fruit drinks are healthy (or at least
healthier than soda)
◦ Fruit drinks have little to no actual fruit juice.
Many are mostly added sugar and water, but
contain nearly just as many calories as soda.
Myth: Diet soda is healthy
◦ Diet soda is very acidic. The acid in diet soda can
erode tooth enamel, which leads to tooth decay and
cavities.

3.  Worthless to the body - Soft drinks are full of
sugar and calories, there is no nutritional value.
 Contribute to obesity and diabetes – Sugar
drinks is full of high-fructose corn syrup, which is
a sweetener linked to obesity.
 Damages teeth – When the sugar in soft drinks
combines with bacteria in the mouth, it creates an
acid that weakens enamel, causing cavities and
tooth decay.
 Weaken the bones – Most sodas contain
phosphorous and caffeine, which are believed to
contribute to osteoporosis.

4. The term “soft drink” is referred to any
beverage with added sugar, or any other
sweetener. This includes soda, fruit punch,
lemonade, as well as sport and energy drinks.

5. Most recently, studies have raised concerns
that diet soda boost stroke risk.
Diet and regular soda have been linked to
obesity, diabetes, kidney damage, certain
cancers, and elevated blood pressure.

6. An increase in sugary drinks consumption is a
major contributor to the obesity epidemic.
On an average day, 50% of America consumes
sugary drinks; approximately 5% drinks at least
567 calories from such drinks, which is equivalent
to 4 cans of soda.
Soft drink companies produce 10.4 billion gallons
of sugary drinks per year, which is enough to
serve every American a 12-ounce can every day for
one year. One can of soda per day for a year adds
up to 31.4 pounds of sugar consumed.

7. One 12-ounce can of soda has approximately
150 calories and 40 grams of carbohydrates.
This is equivalent to 10 teaspoons of sugar!!
By drinking one or two sugary drinks a day
increases the risk of diabetes by 26%.

9. A recent study has found that consuming
sugary drinks has increased not only the risk
of obesity, but metabolic syndrome and fatty
liver disease. Reducing the amount of soft
drink intake is associated with less weight gain
and metabolic improvement.

10. Companies spend billions of dollars marketing
beverages. A significant portion is aimed
directly at youth ages 2-17 years old.
From 2010 to 2013, Red Bull had increased
advertising spending by 84%, and TV
advertisement to youth by approximately 59%.
Red Bull and 5-hour Energy targeted their TV
advertising to a teen audience. Teens saw 20%
to 30% more of these advertisements that
adults.

11.  http://cspinet.org/liquidcandy/
 http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/sugary-drinks/
 http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/06/09/319230765/fruit-juice-vs-soda-
both-beverages-pack-in-sugar-and-health-risk
 http://www.sugarydrinkfacts.org/sugary_drink_facts_in_brief.aspx
 http://www.rethinksugarydrink.org.au/
 http://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/say-no-to-soda.aspx
 http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/03/soda-do-you-drink-it-every-day/
 http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-
choices/what-can-i-drink.html