The 15 Unhealthiest Sodas—Ranked By Sugar Content
The best kind of afternoon pick-me-up is one that involves a refreshingly crisp soda. Whether you're a fan of classic sodas like Pepsi, Coke, or Sprite, or enjoy the excitement of a spinoff flavor like Cherry Soda or Mountain Dew Code Red, the combination of sugar, flavoring, and carbonation is always a satisfying treat. Unfortunately though, regularly drinking these beverages can lead to potential health risks because of the heavy amounts of added sugar, with some of the unhealthiest sodas containing over 80 grams per bottle.
Soda should be consumed in small portions, only on occasion, and with a healthy, balanced diet, because consistently sipping on soft drinks has been linked to weight gain and increased risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The main culprit behind these health risks is the amount of sugar found inside a bottle of soda. The American Heart Association recommends keeping your daily intake of added sugar to 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men, but most sodas contain much more than that. Cans of soda start at 30 grams of sugar per 12-ounce serving with larger bottles carrying between 70-80 grams of added sugar. And without any protein, fiber, or other nutrients, these are empty sugar calories you're consuming.
Read on to learn about some of the unhealthiest sodas currently on the market ranked from the lowest to highest amount of added sugar. And for more, check out 25 Healthy, Low-Sugar Soda Alternatives.
