Soda with ice. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images
Much ado is made about the disadvantages of soft drinks — namely, their high sugar content. However, soft drinks do carry certain advantages, from convenient energy boosts to, possibly, protection against disease.
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Bodily Benefits
If you need a quick pick-me-up, caffeinated soda makes a convenient option. Aside from providing an energy boost, caffeine may offer some health benefits. For example, a 2006 study published in the "Journal of Neurological Sciences" found that caffeine may protect against Parkinson's disease. According to Medical News Today, it could also protect against stroke and Type 2 diabetes.
Sweet Stuff
Soda is often derided for containing high fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to increased triglyceride levels and inflammation, according to Harvard Health Publications. Fortunately, many soft drinks makers are taking a healthier turn and using other types of sweeteners, such as stevia — which is natural and calorie-free — instead of high fructose corn syrup.
