Less American Teens Drinking Soda, 84 Calories from Beverages Consumed Per Day

With all the talk about diet soda being as bad for your teeth as various illegal drugs, (plus, the amount of empty calories floating around in one drink) it's good to hear that Americans are taking a stand. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they're finally heeding these warnings and consuming less of their favorite soda.

U.S. children were drinking an average of 68 fewer calories per day from sugary drink in 2010 as opposed to 2000, according to the analysis in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study shows that at mealtime, children and adults are indulging in less of this sweet concoction.

The results tell a similar story to other studies according to lead author Dr. Brian Kit of the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics in Rockville, Maryland.

Unfortunately, Kit notes, according to Reuters, that there has been no corresponding dip in obesity rates over the past decade.

"During our 12-year study duration, obesity prevalence, although high, has largely remained stable," he said, according to Reuters.

Kit and colleagues analyzed responses to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. This information encompassed the following: A home interview, a physical examination and an a series of questions about diet, from the years 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Approximately 8,500 participants were asked what they had eaten in the past 24 hours.

The researchers categorized various beverages into several categories, including regular soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks and sugar-sweetened coffees or teas as "sugary drinks." (Drinks containing artificial sweeteners, however, were not included.)

Kids from 2 to 19 received about 155 calories per day from sugary drinks back in 2010, which was down from 68 calories seen in 2000. And adults drank about an average of 151 calories from sugary-drinks per day, which is also down by 45 calories compared at the beginning of the decade.

Soda consumption declined the most, by 67 calories per day for kids. Sports and energy drinks actually went up over the same time period, but in 2010 they still contributed an average of only 10 calories daily for kids.

Kit said, according to Reuters, that sugary beverage intake went down by about 84 calories per day in teenagers, which is the largest drop for any age group and a significant change.

For those still skeptical about just how bad these drinks can be for you, let's not forgot that recent studies show that, besides packing on the pounds, just one 12 ounce serving of a sugar-sweetened beverage per day can dramatically raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 22 percent.  

And to make matters worse, Jason Calton, the co-author of "Rich Food, Poor Food," a book that explains the hidden dangers found in our favorite drinks, notes that it's not just the sugar that can be potentially hazardous to your health.

"Aside from sugar, there are nine other potentially dangerous ingredients in soda, including carcinogenic artificial colors and phosphoric acid, which can contribute to everything from obesity to cancer to the depletion of micronutrients essential for strong bones," said Calton, according to ABC News.

While it might be the best thing to skip out on these guys all-together, for those of us who love our Pepsi, Coke and Sprite, moderation is key to your health.