When it comes to healthy hydration, most of us know that soda pop doesn’t top the list of better-for-you bubbly beverages. However, while we may recognize that it’s not the best choice for our health or our waistline, that doesn’t seem to be stopping most of the American population from reaching for their daily fizzy fix. In fact, recent reports indicate that the average U.S. citizen consumes an average of about 41 gallons of soda a year, with 1 out of every 5 Americans consuming at least one soda per day. 

If you’re thinking to yourself, “how bad can a daily soda really be for me?”, you might want to think again. Considering the sugar, chemicals, artificial coloring, & preservatives packed into each can, it’s not surprising to learn just how significant a simple swap of soda pop for a better-for-you bubbly, like sparkling water, can be for your health.

If you’re a soda can stan looking for a reason to drop the pop & are ready for some hard truths, read on for some shocking facts about soda & how making a switch to sparkling water can significantly benefit our body and well being.

Shocking Health Benefits of Swapping Soda for Sparkling Water

You’ll Experience Better Hydration & Kidney Health

While you might think fluid is fluid when it comes to hydration, you'll be surprised to learn that when we consume soda or other sweetened beverages, it actually increases dehydration markers in the blood. Studies show that long term, recurrent dehydration can actually damage our kidneys, increasing the likelihood of renal damage.

When you replace soda or other sugar-sweetened beverages for healthier alternatives like sparkling water, your general hydration levels improve and subsequently, your kidney health. This then, lowers your risk for conditions like kidney stones and chronic kidney disease.

You Could Shed Some Weight

If you’ve ever struggled to drop unwanted weight, it probably comes as no surprise that sugar-laced soda isn’t the best option for slimming down and trimming up. In fact, studies show that swapping out sugar-sweetened, high-calorie drinks like soda for a zero-calorie, sugar-free alternative like JUST Bubbles sparkling water can have a major impact on weight loss efforts, with some reports indicating an average of 2 to 2.5% total weight loss after kicking a cola and soft drink habit and replacing it with a calorie-free option.

You’ll Have More Stable Blood Sugar & Reduced Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

As one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, managing type 2 diabetes and regulating blood sugar is top of mind for many Americans. Studies show that both diabetics and those diagnosed with prediabetes experience a decline in glycemic control following the consumption of soda and sugary beverages. Additionally, research focused on healthy individuals has linked soda consumption to an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, further emphasizing the need to cut back or completely nix the habit altogether.

You’ll Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

Research has long been connecting high sugar intake to heart disease and stroke, so it’s no wonder that a similar relationship is seen between excessive soda consumption and our heart health. Studies show that people who drink sugary beverages like soft drinks are more likely to develop an imbalance of cholesterol and triglycerides in their bodies, thereby increasing the chances of developing heart disease. 

A simple swap of soda for sparkling water will significantly cut your risk of developing these lifestyle diseases, all while boosting your general health and well-being.

You’ll Have Better Bone Health

A regular soda habit has been linked to an increased risk of developing brittle bones, fractures, and breaks with long term, consistent consumption. These bone health side effects seem to be attributed to certain common ingredients found in soda, like caffeine, phosphorus, and high-fructose corn syrup. Between interfering with calcium absorption in the body to increasing calcium excretion in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney stone formation, it’s clear that kicking a soda habit could be one key component to stronger, healthier bones.

You’ll Boost Your Brain Function

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with concentration,  memory, and attention, it may be time to re-evaluate your daily soda pop. Studies have connected various aspects of impaired cognition with sugary drink consumption, finding that many individuals experience a decline in memory recall, an increase in symptoms of anxiety and mental distress, and a heightened risk of dementia and stroke, in part, due to an increase in oxidative stress linked to certain ingredients commonly found in soft drinks.

While mental wellness and cognitive function is a highly nuanced facet of our general health, one easy step to improving both is to skip the soft drinks, diet or otherwise, and instead reach for a delicious, healthy alternative like naturally-flavored sparkling water.

You’ll Improve Your Skin Health & Appearance

We all know that proper hydration is a key factor contributing to healthy, glowy skin. However, if your go-to thirst quencher is soda or other types of sugary drinks, you’re actually doing more harm than good for the health and appearance of your skin. Research shows that regular soda consumption can exacerbate symptoms of acne, eczema, dryness, and skin inflammation.