The Top 10 Worst Soft Drinks For Your Health
Soft drinks, soda and energy drinks are big business around the globe. Males aged 12 to 29 years consume an average of more than 160 gallons of soda a year.
Soft drinks, soda pop and energy drinks are big business around the globe. According to the National Soft Drink Association, Americans consume more than 600 12-oz. soft drinks per year, which is more than any other nation. The highest consumption rate is within males, aged 12 to 29 years, who average more than 160 gallons a year. Common associated health risks include obesity, tooth decay, diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease. High sugar content, caffeine and artificial sweeteners make some soft drinks relatively worse than others.
No. 10: Coca-Cola Classic
Coca-Cola Classic is certainly not healthy for you, although there are now many soft drinks on the market that have more sugar and caffeine content. Coke Classic is on this list because it essentially started the soft drink phenomena and is the "face" of the industry.
No. 9: A&W; Cream Soda
A 12-oz. can of A&W Cream Soda contains 29 mg of caffeine and 46 g of sugar derived mainly from high fructose corn syrup. Per ounce, A&W Cream Soda contains 3.83 g of sugar, which is significantly more than Coke Classics' 3.38 g per ounce.
No. 8: Mountain Dew
A 12-oz. can of Mountain Dew contains 54 mg of caffeine and 47 g of corn syrup derived sugar, both of which are higher than most Coke products. In many countries outside the U.S., Mountain Dew contains no caffeine.
No. 7: Rockstar Original
A 16-oz. can of Rockstar Original contains 151 mg of caffeine and 62 g of sugar. Although this carbonated energy drink contains B-vitamins and herbals, the high levels of caffeine and sugar negate any health benefits.
No. 6: Sunkist Orange Soda
A 12-oz. can of Sunkist Orange Soda contains 41 mg of caffeine and 52 g of corn syrup derived sugar, which equates to a considerable 4.33 g per oz. Despite its name, it does not contain any real orange juice.
No. 5: Bawls Geek Beer
Bawls Geek Beer is a 16-oz. carbonated energy drink that contains 100 mg of caffeine and 72 g of total sugar, which equates to 4.5 g of sugar per oz.
No. 4: Jolt Cola
Jolt Cola comes in 23.5-oz. cans, the second biggest in the industry. A can of Jolt contains 280 mg of caffeine and 94 g of sugar, which is derived from granulated sugar and high fructose corn syrup. Jolt Cola does contain morethan twice the caffeine per ounce of its rival, Coke Classic.
No. 3: Lucozade
Lucozade is a carbonated energy drink made by a pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline. A 13-oz. bottle of Lucozade contains 46 mg of caffeine and 68 g of sugar, which is derived from glucose syrup. Per ounce, Lucozade contains 5.26g of sugar, which is exceptionally high compared with other soft drinks.
No. 2: Rockstar Punched Guava
A 22-oz. bottle of Rockstar Punched Guava contains 330 mg of caffeine, a massive amount compared to other energy drinks. It also contains 102 g of total sugar, which is the most of any beverage on the market.
No. 1: Hype Energy Drink
The worst soft drink for your health might well be Hype, a carbonated energy drink that contains 160 mg of caffeine in a 16-oz. can and an industry leading 8.4 g of sugar per oz. The sugar is derived entirely from high fructose corn syrup.