Soft drinks or Water

Soft drinks	Water
1. The salt in these "beverages" may reduce the amount of water in your cells. Salt increases dehydration, which is why sailors don't drink seawater.	1. The National Institute of Health reports that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. However, this figure is likely understated. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.  Even mild dehydration will slow down your metabolism, speed up aging, reduce resistance to disease, and reduce muscle recovery after exercise.
2. The sugar in these "beverages" (other than the diet kind) increases hunger.	2. One glass of water shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.
3. All sodas promote the symptoms shown in the box at right. The insulin response from the sugary versions compounds them.	3. Lack of water is a major trigger of daytime fatigue, mid-day munchies, leg and toe cramps, and inability to mentally focus.
4. The obesity and nutritional deficiencies typically suffered by heavy soda drinkers bring on back and joint pain.	4. Research indicates drinking half a gallon of water a day would significantly ease back and joint pain for 80% of sufferers.
5. Sodas cause the body to lose water, thereby promoting the symptoms shown at right.	5. A 2% drop in the amount of water retained in the body (other than as subcutaneous or intercellular water due to excess sodium) can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on printed or video text.
6. The various colorings and other substances in sodas aren't noted for cancer prevention.	6. The NIH says drinking a quart of water daily reduces the risk of colon cancer by 45%, reduces the risk of breast cancer by 79%, reduces the risk of bladder cancer by 50%.