Stop drinking soda… it’s a goal that is on so many people’s new years resolutions each year. It was on mine last year as well so I completely understand.
I gave up Dr. Pepper since it was my weakness and I just could not stop chugging the stuff day and night. I’m happy to report that it’s two years later and I haven’t had a single Dr. Pepper since. (Insert claps here.)
I have however, had a few Sprite’s so I haven’t given up on soda entirely, I suppose, but at least the stuff with caffeine. That should count for something, right?
If you wonder like I did when I started this journey, what happens to your body when you stop drinking soda, I’m going to tell you.
Plus, below are some great tips for quitting soda my favorite soda alternative to try, as well.
Here’s What Happens When You Stop Drinking Soda
You Pee Less
You probably already know that soda is a diuretic, so you may have noticed when you drink it you go to the bathroom non-stop. (Diuretic means causing increased passing of urine.)
When you stop drinking soda you won’t have to spend quite so much time in the bathroom which sounds like a great benefit to me.
Oh, and you’ll likely have less UTI’s as well because soda irritates your bladder. (source)
If Urinary Track Infections are something that creep up on you a lot, I would skip the soda. Those pesky UTI’s are absolutely no fun at all.
You’ll Sleep Better
We know that soda can keep us up after we drink it, but did you know that even long after it wears off it can still cause insomnia? That’s because up to 6 hours after consuming caffeine half of the caffeine amount is still in your system. (source)
It is suggested that you stop drinking caffeine before 2-3pm. That just so happens my favorite time to drink soda!
Your Heart Will Be Healthier
One problem with soda is that it increases your heart rate and blood pressure. So much so that a Harvard study showed that people who drink soda are 20% more likely to have a heart attack.
The main finding of the study showed those who drank pop daily had a 20% higher risk of having a heart attack. (source)
If you have any other health markers that increase your likelihood of heart attacks or heart disease you a my want to consider cutting down on your soda consumption.
You’ll Have More Hair
Seriously! High sugar drinks like soda and juices can increase the hormone dihydrotestosterone which some think can increase hair loss in men. Less soda, more hair.
You’re Memory Will Increase
New research shows that people who drink high sugar drinks like soda have a worse memory and smaller overall brain volume! I don’t know about you, but I’d rather my brain not shrink.
As we get older our memory fades and we try to protect it with vitamins and crossword puzzles. Perhaps kicking sugary soda could help us even more.
My Favorite Soda Substitute
Have ya’ll tried Olipop yet? They are sparkling tonics that contain 9g of dietary fiber & only 2-5g of sugar.
Each can is under 50 calories, non-GMO, vegan, & gluten-free—all with no artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, preservatives, or ingredients. How cow! How is that even possible?
I suggest the sampler pack so you can try them all and find your favorite. I love that they have classic favorites like Root Beer, Cola and Cream Soda.
There are so many reasons to kick the soda habit, so if you plan to quit, I hope these will give you the boost you need.
How Can I Stop Drinking So Much Soda?
1. Boost Your Water Flavor. There are so many water flavors you can grab at the store. Literally, so many options you could try a new one every day.
My favorite is actually Liquid IV. It is so delicious and I know I’m getting good and hydrated!
2. Make ONE Switch. There are a couple of things that make soda so bad for us: the sugar and the caffeine. If you want to start slowly, get rid of just one.
Kick the caffeine by sipping a caffeine-free soda like 7UP or Sprite. Or, you could kick the sugar by switching to a diet soda. Progress makes perfect.
3. Try new alternatives. Give Olipop a try or try some of the many flavored waters out there. Keep trying them until you find one you like. Then, keep a few around just in case you have a carbonated drink craving.
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
linda a wells says
You can spell “your” correctly?
Nana says
You said nothing about weight loss once quitting the sugary drinks plus what the acid does to the stomach. Also, you might want to take a class in spelling &;grammar .. this was poorly written and misleading.
Stephen Deacon says
Damn right 👍
Christine says
Rude
Fucker says
Poke
Bud Goulding says
Why are some people so darned picky regarding grammar? I think it’s downright rude! Lighten up!
Chris Kay says
When a person writes an article of this nature, where they are offering pseudo-scientific health advice, and there are grade-school level errors in spelling, it brings into question the validity of their argument. It’s a red flag on their attention to detail – if not their overall intellect.
Rob says
You refer multiple times to “sugary drinks”. Which of these apply to diet drinks?
Robin says
I believe this is talking about ALL sodas. Zero sugar sodas are just as bad as regular sodas. You can argue all you want but I know this from experience. I am addicted to Dr Pepper and now Dr Pepper Zero and have recently cut back and I have seen a huge improvement.
Lois says
I drink caffeine free diet cola and I did have a series of heart attacks almost ten years ago but my heart rate is low has been all my life even when I drank non diet with caffeine soda I don’t believe your personal study goes far enough…..
Stephen Deacon says
‘Even after it wares off’. If this is a scientific evaluation why can’t the writer spell? I’d be very surprised if this contributor managed to get through secondary school let alone university.
Kathy says
If an article has spelling and grammar errors, I can’t take what is being said seriously. Every word might be true, but if there are mistakes in the article, there may be just as many in the data.
Vi says
I drink Pepsi everyday. I don’t run to the bathroom all day…maybe 3-4 times in a day, and I have a pretty good memory. I don’t drink coffee…use to. I do have some issues with falling asleep sometimes but not frequently. So it must be more crap about what you consume.
Brenda Sherk says
I live on Mt. Dew & sleep just fine! I do not run to the bathroom often either! I am 70 years old and drank Mt. Dew when I was in school! I’ve never had a problem. I’m addicted and no quitting now! Live your life! We are all only passing through!
donna says
I drink Mt Dew right up to the time I go to bed and don’t have a problem with sleeping. I can even fall asleep drinking it.
Krizzi says
Lol I drink Dr. Pepper all day, every day and all the way up until bed and even in the middle of the night if I wake up with dry mouth. And I don’t pee a lot either.
Kristin says
Is that even with fire sprite
L Ibister says
I am thrilled to say I gave up a 3-5 “colas” per day habit, a little more than a year ago, It was the only thing I changed about my daily diet.
I now weigh 102 pounds less than I did, a year ago.
Agnes Hall says
I drink Diet Pepsi all day every day, in the last 10 months I lost 92 lbs my blood pressure is low and my hair longer than ever. Oh and I sleep 10-12 hrs a night just fine!
RJK says
Ridiculous.
Soda isn’t a diuretic. Caffeine irritates the bladder and increases heart rate, likely producing more waste product.
Sugar and sodium levels are an issue to be considered. As is citric acid.And with Gatorade and Energy drinks these days, soda is likely the least threatening.
Rose says
I pee way more since I cut down my soda. It annoys me to no end how much I have to go to the bathroom. My blood sugar hasn’t changed at all. Yes I have had the tests. Sleeping or lack there of us about the same. Heart rate and blood pressure have not improved and I have only had 1 UTI in my entire life.
Carrie says
Thank you for the info! I didn’t realize hair loss could be a side effect. FYI for other readers – Liquid IV has 11 grams of sugar per serving – yikes! My trainer calls them pixie sticks. Try other electrolyte alternatives like a Nuun or Mantra Labs.
Joanna says
I’ve only had soda if we go out to a restaurant which isn’t often . And when I go to a friends house which is here and there but I use to drink soda 24/7 then my health wasn’t the greatest I kept getting really bad headaches and couldn’t sleep at nite so I quit drinking pop and drink flavored water. And sunny D . Helped me out a lot
Nix says
Don’t forget, diet soda is linked to many many other health issues. Please choose something other than diet soda.
Susan says
Any carbonated beverage will irritate the bladder
Tammu says
What about diet soda?? Should I quit it as well?? Never a sugary soda. It’s my morning coffee.
Thanks
Tammy
Jeanie G says
One thing about articles that are written regarding diets or Health Nutrition or any other topics. People seem to pick at every little tiny thing and then Begins the criticism towards the people that have written these articles. People sit behind the keyboard and always seem to criticize, belittle or have some rude comment to say all the time. If you stop with the sugars regardless whether it is diet regular candy or any other sugar-filled food item or drink item, you will definitely start to see a difference in your health in your body and your weight. Common sense people, no matter the grammar no matter what the point of it all is sugar causes you to have health issues no matter how you want to go about it. Stop criticizing everybody sometimes it gets so annoying to have to read everyone being rude and childish. It’s a wonder why our children up today act the way they do because of half of the adults in this world bully each other, pick on each other, criticize each other, instead of trying to uplift one another. Let’s take a crash course on how to treat everyone. Can we all have a conversation like adults. When that’ll happen who knows. Had to say it, if you don’t like it then you’re part of the problem. Take it as you want , maybe some y’all will check my grammar too . Anyways hope everybody has a nice day.
Ed says
Nicely Done. ❤️
Terry says
I loose 5 to 7 pounds when i get off sodas. But somthing major will come along and i want a soda again. I want to try that one you talked about.
Jean bell says
Not true IP more than I did before I drink water and sometimes lemon in it I haven’t lost any weight I’m tired in the morning but not at night so do a study on everybody not just yourself
Bon Jovi says
Been a year and a few months since I’ve had a soda, wordle been feeling amazing
Nicole says
I agree with all of this. I seldom drink anything but tea ( all kinds but free and herbal mostly), and water! Feel much better!
space waves says
Some people report experiencing increased appetite or cravings after starting estrogen.
Kistler Tina says
Great article on quitting soda! It’s inspiring to hear your success story with Dr. Pepper. I found I had more energy after cutting back, almost like navigating the levels in the Slope – quicker reflexes and clearer focus! What about exploring healthier, naturally sweetened sparkling water options? Could be a good compromise.
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Emilycandy says
A popular drink, however I believe that drinking and using it for an extended period of time is harmful to one’s health. Level devil Free.
Allison says
This reads as an ad for Olipop more than anything.