Why you should drink water instead of diet soda?
Water?
- Weight Gain. If you drink only soda as your beverage of choice, you may be at risk for weight gain. ...
- Tooth Decay. Drinking soda can contribute to tooth decay and dental cavities. ...
- Dehydration. High levels of caffeine in some sodas may lead to dehydration. ...
- Other Concerns. The sugar in soda doesn't just affect your weight, it can affect how you feel as well. ...
Is drinking diet soda the same as drinking water?
You may be surprised to know that because beverages such as diet soda are composed primarily of water, they do count towards your daily water requirement. However, you must take into consideration diet soda additives such as sodium and caffeine that may actually remove water from your body.
Do all beverages count towards your water intake?
There are a wide range of beverages available with varying SmartPoints® value, and all of them count toward your hydration. Switching to drinking more water can be a great weight-loss tool if it reduces the number of sugary drinks—and SmartPoints!—you consume (think fruit drinks, sweetened coffee and tea, energy drinks, alcoholic drinks, and flavoured waters).
What happens if you only drink soda vs. Water?
“As a result, drinking soda will actually dehydrate you. This can strain your body to find sources of water — which puts a good deal of stress on your kidneys. If you need something to quench your thirst and rehydrate, water is always the best choice. If you prefer something with more flavor, try adding fresh fruit to your water.”
Water vs. Soda: How Do They Compare?
Nutritionally speaking, water is far better for you than any type of soda on the market. A regular cola is about 89 percent water, according to USDA data , which means that almost 11 of the 12 ounces (oz) in a can of soda can be counted toward your fluid intake for the day. But the remainder of what’s in that can should give you pause.
Nutrition Facts for Soda
Regular soda is high in calories, almost all of them from added sugar usually in the form of high fructose corn syrup. According to the USDA, a 12 oz can of cola has 155 calories, and roughly 147 of those calories come from sugar. That is equivalent to almost nine teaspoons of sugar per can.
What About Soda Makes It Hydrating?
The main ingredient in soda is carbonated water, so it makes sense that the beverage has some hydrating effects even if the remainder of the ingredients are less than ideal. While soda shouldn’t be your go-to for meeting your fluid needs, it can technically be counted toward your hydration goal for the day if you do choose to indulge.
Soda vs. Seltzer: Which Is More Hydrating?
Seltzer is the better choice here all around! While it's only slightly more hydrating than soda, it doesn’t contain any of the added sugar or artificial sweeteners that soda does, and it is naturally caffeine-free.
Health Benefits of Soda Beyond Hydration
There are absolutely zero health benefits to drinking soda. Whether regular or diet, caffeinated or caffeine-free, all sodas have negative health effects.
Tips for Minimizing Soda to Maximize Hydration and Health
If you find yourself reaching for soda often, consider taking small steps to cut back over time. As mentioned above, people often find seltzer to be a satisfying substitute for soda because it's carbonated. Citrus juice, fresh or frozen fruit, or fresh mint can all be added to plain seltzer for flavor.
Should You Drink Soda to Stay Hydrated?
Almost every beverage on the market and from the tap is a better option than soda. Both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened soda products have been linked to deleterious health effects.
Soda: Is It Hydrating?
Since carbonated water is the main ingredient in Soda, it gives Soda certain hydrating features even if some of its other elements are not up to the ideals of common ingredients. These elements aid in removing water from the body because of additives such as sodium, and caffeine, which is diuretics.
Is Seltzer or Soda More Hydrating?
When comparing Seltzer and Soda, Seltzer is the better choice in all aspects. It is only a little bit more hydrating than Soda, but it also does not have artificial sweeteners or added sugar than Soda does. Seltzer is also naturally free of caffeine.
Soda: Just A Hydrating Fluid?
Now that we’ve discussed that Soda counts as a hydrating fluid, if we can ignore all of its other very unhealthy ingredients, let’s see if it has any health benefits except this. The answer is no. Soda has no benefits when it comes to your health.
How to minimize Soda Intake
If you find yourself consuming too much Soda and are looking for a way to slowly cut back or entirely stop, replacing it with seltzer is a great option. You can make the conscious choice of picking up a seltzer every time you reach for a Soda.
What is the best way to get water?
Herbal Tea. Ice or hot herbal tea is another tasty, healthy way to get your daily water intake. Dixon tells SheKnows that her personal favorite is hibiscus tea. "I love the tangy, slightly sour flavor and it's loaded with antioxidants and other healthy nutrients," she says.
Why do we need to stay hydrated?
As you probably know by now, your body needs to stay hydrated to keep all your organs functioning, your body temperature regulated and to keep your mind running at peak performance. Dehydration is no joke — and can be a surefire way to disrupt your day-to-day life and leave you feeling awful.
Is seltzer water full of sugar?
Not only will this give you the flavor-plus-fizz combo you crave from soda, but it's not full of sugar and empty calories and has the added bonus of some vitamin C from the citrus fruit . There are also plenty of no-added-sugar flavored seltzer waters to choose from — or for the less adventurous, there's always plain.
Is dehydration a joke?
Dehydration is no joke — and can be a surefire way to disrupt your day-to-day life and leave you feeling awful. “Dehydration is very common, and [it leads] to many symptoms, including fatigue, constipation and decreased concentration,” Dr. Nancy Rahnama, physician nutrition medical specialist and board-certified internist, tells SheKnows. ...
How much water should I drink during exercise?
During exercise, the AAP suggests drinking about 3-8 ounces of water every 20 minutes for children 9-12 and about 34-50 ounces per hour for adolescent boys and girls. Athletes need to take precautions to avoid dehydration. White recommends drinking 16 ounces one hour prior to exercise, 4-8 ounces every 15 minutes during exercise, ...
What foods should I eat to get rid of water?
There are plenty of hidden sources of water in your diet, says White. If you want to tap into these foods, reach for oatmeal, yogurt, soup, and smoothies. Besides guzzling water, milk is a top choice to refuel.
How do you know if you're dehydrated?
How can you tell if you're dehydrated? You might feel tired, cranky, moody, or get a headache. "As the body gets dehydrated, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the vessels," explains Clark. To get a better handle on your hydration levels, White recommends keeping a water log.
What is the best source of water?
Fruits are an excellent source for water. Watermelon is 90% water, so it ranks highest on the list. Oranges, grapefruit, and melons like cantaloupe and honeydew are also strong contenders. Vegetables, though not as full of water as fruit, can also provide a nutrient-rich water source.
Why is water important for health?
So water is important for healthy skin, hair, and nails, as well as controlling body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Is water good for your body?
Stay Hydrated and Healthy. Water doesn't get the same media attention as green tea, antioxidants, and the latest fad diets. Yet it plays a much more critical part in our daily lives and our bodies. Our bodies are made up of about 60% water, and every system depends on water. So water is important for healthy skin, hair, and nails, ...
Is alcohol a dehydrator?
Many used to believe that they were dehydrating, but that myth has been debunked. The diuretic effect does not offset hydration. Alcohol is a huge dehydrator, says White. You should try to limit your intake, but if you are going to raise a glass, aim for at least a one-to-one ratio with water.
What is the best way to get water?
Herbal Tea. Ice or hot herbal tea is another tasty, healthy way to get your daily water intake. Dixon tells SheKnows that her personal favorite is hibiscus tea. "I love the tangy, slightly sour flavor and it's loaded with antioxidants and other healthy nutrients," she says. Magnifying Glass Light.
Who recommends squeezing lemons into sparkling water?
Suzanne Dixon, a registered dietitian with The Mesothelioma Center, tells SheKnows that she recommends squeezing lemon or lime into sparkling water.
Why do we need to stay hydrated?
As you probably know by now, your body needs to stay hydrated to keep all your organs functioning, your body temperature regulated and to keep your mind running at peak performance. Dehydration is no joke — and can be a surefire way to disrupt your day-to-day life and leave you feeling awful.
What to do if you don't like bubbles in water?
If you're not a fan of bubbles in your water but still want something a little different than plain tap water, try infusing the water with fruit and/or herbs. The combinations are endless, but here are a few of our favorites, including passion fruit, ginger and orange and strawberry-basil.
Is seltzer water full of sugar?
Not only will this give you the flavor-plus-fizz combo you crave from soda, but it's not full of sugar and empty calories and has the added bonus of some vitamin C from the citrus fruit . There are also plenty of no-added-sugar flavored seltzer waters to choose from — or for the less adventurous, there's always plain.
Can cinnamon stick be used in water?
Love cinnamon? Here's a great way to enjoy the flavor and the hydration at the same time. Rahnama recommends adding a cinnamon stick to boiled water and then allowing it to cool. " [It] can make the water also more palatable and is a method to ensure adequate water intake in the Middle East, where temperatures are very high," she explains.