In 1955, the standard “large” fountain drink cup at McDonalds was seven ounces. Today, the smallest cup — a child’s size — is 12 ounces, and the adult cups range in size from 16 to 30 ounces. That means you can order up a vessel of soda that’ll cost you up to 700 calories a pop. We have listed the top 4 popular drinks and what the calorie content really looks like.
1. Soda Pop
Regular soft drinks have been linked to elevated blood pressure. Lemon-lime soda has more calories than most other types, containing 148 calories per 12-ounce can. The same serving of cola has 136 calories, while tonic water and ginger ale both have 124 calories per can. While researchers found that cola beverages were associated with low bone mineral density in women, other carbonated drinks did not appear to have the same effect. Diet drinks are loaded with deceptively sweet artificial sweeteners, which, researchers say, trick the metabolism into thinking sugar is on its way, spike insulin levels, and shift the body from a fat-burning to a fat-storing state. While diet drinks are calorie-free, they’re also nutrition-free. The most recent headlines have raised concerns that diet sodas boost stroke risk. Diet and regular sodas have both been linked to obesity, kidney damage, and certain cancers.
2. Water
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Drinking water helps maintain the balance of body fluids. Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. While carbonated water is just water plus air, some bottled seltzers and flavor enhancers contain sodium, natural and artificial acids, flavors, sweeteners, and other additives. All of these could contain hidden calories and extra sodium. Also, these additives can lead to cavities and weight gain over time.
*The problem with Clear American Sparkling Water is that aspartame and acesulfame potassium are both on most nutritional expert’s list of food additives to avoid.
