WACO, TX — A study by the American Heart Association has linked an excessive amount of soda intake to an early death.
Conducted in March of 2019, the study takes data from previous studies started in the 1980s. Researchers collected data from the participants sugary drink consumption ranging from soda to juice and over about 30 years there were more than 36,000 deaths.
Katie Young is a mom of two and has chosen to not drink soda at all. She started this health kick in high school, and once she grew older, she realized she just never had a taste for it.
"It makes me feel bad after I drink and I just don't keep it around," Young said.
She was in many sports and therefore the sugary calories just weren't good for her overall, and she hopes to keep her kids healthy as well.
"Between athletics and sports just working out and doing a lot of exercising it played a toll on you realize you just need to drink more water," Young said.
Researchers found each additional 12 ounce serving of sugary drinks was associated with a 7 percent increase for death, 5 percent increase risk for cancer death and a 10 percent increase in cardiovascular disease. If you're watching your calorie count this new year, remember water has 0 calories.
The USDA breaks down a healthy day to day drinking plan:
a small latte with fat free milk is 125 calories, a bottle of water or diet soda has zero calories, and if you crave carbonation but don't want a soda - try a sparkling water with a natural sweetener as that ranks in at zero calories as well.
If you started your diet but aren't in love with it, maybe you didn't pick the right one. The Mayo Clinic suggests taking a minute to look back at the diets you've tried and decide what you liked and didn't like about them. Also, make sure to talk to your doctor about a good diet for you.
The Texas Beverage Association reached out to KXXV with a statement.
“Soft drinks, like all the beverages made by our industry, are safe to consume as part of a balanced diet. The sugar used in our beverages is the same as sugar used in other food products. We don’t think anyone should over consume sugar, that’s why we’re working to reduce the sugar people consume from beverages across the country,” said Katherine McLane, of the Texas Beverage Association.
For more information on the AHA study visit here.
