Liquid Calories on the Rise and Raising Health Concerns

Once constituting a mere 2%-4% of America's total calories, our average beverage intake now accounts for nearly 21% of the total, an all-time high. As Americans continue to drink more of their calories, concern arises surrounding the health implications of this trend. Because sweetened beverages, such as soft or fruit flavored drinks, tend to be nutrient poor and energy dense from their generous sugar content, health experts worry that there will be a corresponding rise in the rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and other health risks.

It wasn't always this way. Back in 1977, the size of the average soft drink was about 13.1 fluid ounces; today's typical beverage weighs in at a whopping 19.9 fluid ounces.

(IDEA Fitness Journal, Oct. 2006)