5 Of The Most Common Health Myths About Soda

This shocking post comes to us from AOL.com.

Whether you can't seem to stay away from the taste of sprite, or you resort to a can of coke for a midday pick-me-up — you know what it's like to enjoy the sweet taste of soda throughout the day. While some evidence has shown that soda drinking has been declining over the years, there's no denying that many of us still can't help enjoying a nice cold can every now and then.


But what's the real deal when it comes to soft drinks? Do they actually cause obesity? Is diet soda healthier than regular soda? We're debunking these myths and many others to get to the root of these sugary drinks.

Take a look below at 5 of the most common health myths about soda and what the truth really is behind them.


1) Clear soda is better for you than dark soda – FALSE

In reality, one of the only differences between clear and dark soft drinks is that the clear ones don't usually contain caffeine, but the sugar intake is just as great.

2) Diet soda is healthier than regular soda – FALSE

Just because something claims it's "diet," doesn't mean that it's any better for you. Artificial sweeteners trick your body into gearing up your digestive system for calories, which leads to weight issues in the end.

3) Real sugar is healthier than soda made with high fructose corn syrup – FALSE

Both sweeteners break down virtually the exact same way in the body — in other words, there's virtually no difference between these sugars.

4) A trip to the gym warrants a sports drink – FALSE

In reality, our electrolytes aren't fully consumed until more than an hour of training, so a 30-minute session in the gym probably isn't going to require much more than water.

5) If you want a big boost of energy, choose an energy drink over coffee – FALSE

Many soft drinks actually contain less caffeine than a cup of coffee, but more sugar, meaning you actually won't be as energized but instead, can increase your chances of weight gain.

[photos: Getty]

Published September 17, 2015

Giovanna Boldrini