Is quitting soda worth it?

Author: Michael Funk  |  Last update: Sunday, December 28, 2025

You'll cut your sugar and calorie intake Cutting back on your favorite fizzy drink can help. “Cutting soda out of your diet not only lowers your risk for weight gain, but may help you actually lose weight as well,” says Dr.

What happens to your body if you stop drinking soda?

The transition away from soft drinks can lead to significant improvements in overall health and well-being. While some withdrawal symptoms may occur, the long-term benefits--such as better hydration, weight management, improved dental health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases--often outweigh the initial challenges.

Will I lose my belly if I stop drinking soda?

Giving up carbonated beverages can contribute to a flatter stomach for several reasons: Reduced Bloating: Carbonated drinks contain carbon dioxide, which can lead to bloating and gas. Eliminating these drinks may help reduce bloating, making your stomach appear flatter.

Is it healthy to never drink soda?

“Should it be avoided?” In a word, yes. Sugary beverages like soda are linked to a long list of adverse health effects, starting with obesity, poor blood sugar control and diabetes. Recent studies have found an association with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.

What should I drink if I crave soda?

Reinagel said if you're looking for a way to satisfy soda cravings without drinking the stuff, she recommends drinking plain, carbonated water (seltzer) with a squeeze of citrus, like lemon, or a splash of cranberry juice or pomegranate juice.

What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Drinking Soda

What is your body missing when you crave soda?

Your Body Needs: Calcium

Craving soda and fizzy drinks is a common craving particularly in those with an "acid" biologic terrain i.e. you've been relying a little too much on stimulants and neglecting your greens and water for some time. This often indicates a calcium deficiency.

Is 2 cans of soda a day bad?

People who consume sugary drinks regularly—1 to 2 cans a day or more—have a 26% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who rarely have such drinks. [17] Risks are even greater in young adults and Asians.

What are the three worst drinks for blood sugar?

What are the worst drinks for diabetes?
  • Fruit juice (unless treating low blood sugar)
  • Sweetened coffee or tea.
  • Sweetened sports drinks and energy drinks.
  • Regular soda.

What happens if I only drink water?

Hydration: Water is the most natural and effective way to stay hydrated. It doesn't contain calories, sugar, or additives that some other beverages might have. 2. Calorie Control: By exclusively drinking water, you avoid the calories present in sugary drinks like sodas, juices, and energy drinks.

How much weight can I lose by quitting soda?

Simple trick is look at your diet. If you're having a soda every day for lunch, particularly a large soda, or maybe breakfast, maybe dinner, whenever you might have a soda or several sodas, if you can cut a large soda, one of these gas station soda-sized things from your diet every day, you will lose a pound per week.

What is the best soda alternative?

Cut the Cola: 10 Healthy (and Delicious) Soda Alternatives
  • Freshly-squeezed lemonade. ...
  • An underrated alternative to soda? ...
  • Kombucha. ...
  • Sparkling water with a splash of juice, a sweet alternative to soda. ...
  • Maple water. ...
  • Fruit and herb infusions. ...
  • Coconut water. ...
  • Mineral water.

How to get rid of a hanging belly?

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

What organ does soda damage?

Even just one sugary drink a day, after five to seven years, can lead to fatty liver disease, making you susceptible to heart disease and diabetes while also increasing your risk for cancer of the colon, pancreas and esophagus, to name a few.

Is zero sugar soda bad for you?

Drinking too many sugar-free drinks may cause gastrointestinal distress and digestive issues, such as bloating, gas, and stomach cramps. The artificial sweeteners in these drinks can also cause an upset stomach and diarrhea in some people.

What is the number one snack to lower blood sugar?

But there is one food that stands alone as the best snack for lower blood sugar: nuts. Nuts are delicious, nutritious and incredibly versatile as far as snack foods go. Plus, they can be stored at room temperature (or in the freezer for longer periods) and are great for grab-and-go snacks.

How can I flush sugar out of my system fast?

Drinking water and staying hydrated is important for managing blood sugar, also known as blood glucose. “Water helps your kidneys filter out excess sugar through urine,” says Khan. “So, the more hydrated you are, the more urine production you'll have, which flushes out sugar in the body.”

What is the number one drink to avoid?

Try to limit sugary drinks such as soft drink, cordial, fruit drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks. The less alcohol you drink the lower your risk of harm from alcohol. Healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day.

Is one soda a day ok?

Even one or two colas a day could increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 20%. Sugar intake is linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess fat, all of which increase the risk of heart disease. Colas and other sugary drinks have been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

Why do my joints hurt after drinking soda?

Your joints

“Soft drinks are loaded with fructose, which has to be converted to glucose,” nutritional therapist Emma Jamieson says. “During this process, uric acid is created. Too much uric acid in the body produces crystals which are deposited in joints, causing damage and inflammation.”

Is ginger ale bad for you?

"Ginger ale is not classified as a health food and should be consumed in moderation," advises Jamie Bering, MD, a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

What happens to your face when you stop drinking soda?

More prominent than the weight loss I experienced was the effect on my skin. I once struggled with breakouts that would leave my face covered in acne and, subsequently, acne scars. In just a few weeks after I put down my last soda can, though, I noticed my skin clear up immensely and my breakouts come to a full stop.

What are you lacking if you crave chips?

Salty snacks – When only potato chips will do, you might have low potassium levels.

Will I lose belly fat if I stop drinking diet soda?

Most people start drinking diet soda to help lose weight. But you might lose more weight giving it up. A recent study found that older adults who drank diet soda continued to pack on belly fat. Research also found that each daily diet soda increases your chance of becoming obese in the next decade by 65%.

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