Five Myths About Fizzy Drinks

We’ve been warned since an early age of the effects of drinking fizzy juice: rotting teeth, obesity and a raft of other health problems. But a number of other questions about soft drinks and our health are less clear-cut. Is diet really better than regular juice? Do energy drinks give more of a boost over coffee? And does carbonation weaken bones? Here we debunk some of the myths about fizzy drinks.

Five Myths About Fizzy Drinks

Myth 1: Diet Juice Is Healthier Than Regular Juice

Artificial sweeteners are often claimed to be the healthier option over natural sugars. However, this is not the case. According to the Harvard Health School, daily consumption of diet drinks could result in a 36% greater risk of metabolic syndrome and a 67% increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Myth 2: Energy Drinks Give You a Bigger Boost of Energy Than Coffee

Drinks such as Red Bull and Monster are famous for giving you a quick boost of energy, but in reality these drinks contain less caffeine than one cup of coffee. An average cup of coffee has between 95mg and 200mg of caffeine per eight ounces, while a can of Red Bull has approximately 30mg per 100g, according to the Guardian.

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Myth 3: Clear Juice Is Healthier Than Brown Juice

While the brown caramel colouring found in drinks such as Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper can result in teeth discolouring, the main difference between clear and dark juice is caffeine. Considering that an average soft drink has less caffeine than a cup of coffee, there is very little to worry about when deciding which the healthier option is between clear and brown juice.

Myth 4: Energy Drinks Are Essential During Exercise

Energy-drink companies will tell you that working out warrants a sports drink, but in truth your electrolyte and glycogen reserves will not be spent until after an hour’s exercise. So if you’re planning a thirty-minute jog on the treadmill, water should suffice.

Myth 5: Carbonation Weakens Bones

The final big myth about fizzy drinks is that the carbonated water contained in them causes weakened bones. However, recent research suggests that this association is not seen in clear juice.