Stop Sipping Soda: Try These Alternatives
By Virginia Laird
While many only believe that addiction to illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco are harmful, there are a variety of other types of addictions which can cause damage to the body, including soda. Many across the nation have become addicted to a favorite carbonated soda. So much so, that it may be impossible to focus on the tasks at hand without a can of pop in hand. If this describes you, rest assured that you no longer need to be victim to this addiction.
Soda is harmful for many reasons, including:
- Carbonation can be hard on the organs of the body
- Caffeine is harmful to the body
- Soda is loaded with sugar and empty calories
- It promotes dehydration
- Artificial sweeteners have proven harmful side effects
Plain water has and will always be the best choice when trying to improve or maintain your health. It is also the best when it comes to staying hydrated. If you struggle to drink enough water, there are a few alternatives which may help you join the health hype of drinking water, including:
Add Some Fruit
Adding fruit to plain water can make it refreshing without adding additional sugar and sweeteners. It is recommended to mix a batch of water and refrigerate it overnight in an effort to let the flavors reach maximum release. There are a wide variety of flavored water recipes online, some even offer the benefit of helping to remove toxins from the body.
Flavored Water
There are many brands of flavored waters on the market. Before buying into one of these, make sure to check the labels. Some of these beverages are not calorie-free. Another thing to check out is what is being used to sweeten the beverage; some of these in use are harmful sweeteners. Finding a flavored water to meet your taste bud needs is simply trial and error.
Sports Drinks
If all else fails, sports drinks can offer some of the same benefits of water without the harsh side effects that soda offers. There are even low-calorie options which can help when you need to count calories.
Don’t let the addiction of soda run your life any longer. Take back control of your health and your life by switching to a drink with more benefits to your health.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Dawsonville, Ga.