Soda is delicious, satisfying and addictive, tickling our taste buds and tantalizing even the most steadfast health nut with smart marketing campaigns. For many, to quit or limit soda is a Herculean effort. Those who drink soda regularly, have developed a physical and mental dependence on its sweetener and caffeine. The adverse effects of drinking soda harm us over time, bringing unpleasant conditions and symptoms. Read on to learn about the more common ways that soda harms us and our bodies.

Soda can cause weight gain, especially around your midsection. An average can of soda contains about 140 empty calories devoid of nutritional value. Diet sodas are just as detrimental to your health as their sugary counterparts. Artificial sweeteners have the same effects on hormones that trigger fat storage in the body, so even though you aren’t getting extra calories, your body is still triggered to store fat.

If you want clean and healthy teeth you must cut soda from your diet immediately. The acidic compounds and sugar present in sodas erode the protective enamel on your teeth, exposing the softer tissues inside. Tooth erosion leaves you susceptible to the formation of cavities and gum disease. Learning to replace your soda consumption with something else like green tea, sparkling water, or regular water will dramatically improve your oral health.

Soda is packed with sugar and causes adverse effects on all systems of the body when consumed in excess. Studies have shown that the artificial sweetener in diet sodas have the same effects on metabolism and appetite, so if you were drinking diet soda to help with weight loss, you will not going to benefit from this trade-off.

Much of the time when pets aren’t drinking enough is due to water not being accessible. The easiest way to make sure our four-legged friends are drinking enough is to make sure there is always clean, visible drinking water available. Keeping the water clean is important. Many consider water filters a requirement for human drinking water. It’s no wonder that clean, filtered water is also more appealing to our pets! Consider whole home water solutions to make sure every member of your household has clean water always available.

The caffeine present in soda is a diuretic, which means that it robs your body of its natural moisture balance. Keeping your body hydrated is essential for good health. Aim for drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily, and you’ll have energy to burn so that you’ll not even miss the caffeine!

You may not believe it yet, but one of the easiest things you can do for your health is to stop drinking soda. Virtually every system in your body will improve when you begin replacing your daily soda intake with some pure, fresh, clean water — just as nature intended. Here are just a few of the benefits that you can expect when you swap your soda can with a glass of water, even if you start with a week:

• Improved heart health
• Improved brain function (and you’ll lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia!)
• Whiter smile
• Improved bladder function and fewer infections
• Improved bone density since your body will absorb calcium more efficiently
• Weight loss

There’s no such thing as using soda to aid in weight loss. The most effective beverage for lasting weight loss and improved health is simply water. Drink several ounces daily for a natural and healthy energy boost that helps to detoxify and clean your system.

Need help making the swap? Try a Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water System, and get great-tasting water right from the tap! Call Culligan Water of Kansas City to find out how you can get the best water today!