Duh! Of course it is.

And I’m sure you know why – you’ve heard it all before – but I’m going tell you again.

Recently, a group of health advocates and public health officials from major cities around the country asked the Food and Drug Administration to regulate the amount of caloric sweeteners in sodas and other beverages – arguing that the level of added sugars in those products is unsafe.

“The dangers of soda extend beyond the increase in calories, although this is likely an important contributor to weight gain and obesity. Calories consumed in liquid form do not satisfy hunger as effectively as calories consumed in solid food form, so people often consume more total calories, which can lead to weight gain. In addition, consuming large amounts of rapidly digested sugar and high fructose corn syrup causes a spike in blood sugar and insulin, which can lead to inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which may increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer.”

It is said that the average 20-ounce bottle of soda contains the equivalent of roughly 16 teaspoons of sugar. Yum, right? Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University, said “You would not sit down and eat 16 teaspoons of sugar, but when it’s in a drink, it just doesn’t register because it’s dissolved and you can’t see it.” The American Heart Association recommends that women consume no more than six teaspoons and men no more than nine teaspoons of added sugar a day.

That can of pop isn’t looking very attractive right now, is it?

Cutting back on the consumption of soda is a personal responsibility but soda contains caffeine and caffeine can be addictive so if you’re finding it difficult to drop the habit, don’t be too hard on yourself. I’ll leave you with some tips.

- Don’t try to quit cold turkey. It takes 66 days to either break or form new long-term habits.

- Make a conscious effort to reduce your consumption.

- Be sure to stock up on substitutes, like natural juices, coconut water, teas, milk (soy, almond, hazelnut, hemp) and don’t forget your water.

And if you’re still not convinced you should quit, here are 22 more reasons.

P.S. Water can be a little boring, so play with it. Add a little lemon, maybe some mint.

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