Indulging a sweet tooth was part of childhood for many of us, and even as adults, we all occasionally splurge. But, while you may think twice before gobbling a second piece of cake, grabbing another soda seems harmless. Sadly, this isn’t the case and all those empty calories add up to a larger waist and bigger health issues.

As far as sodas are concerned, each 12-ounce can contains about 150 calories. Let’s say you drink two of those every day – well, you might not like the sound of this - but you’ve packed on an extra 31 pounds by the end of a year!

The American Heart Association says men should consume no more than nine teaspoons of sugar per day while women should limit sugar intake to six teaspoons per day. That’s great information to have, right? But, the average 12 ounce can of soda contains 9.75 teaspoons of sugar. That’s more than an entire day’s worth by itself! Bottled teas and sports drinks have about the same amount of sugar, while energy drinks and smoothies can have even more. Dreaming of a delicious, whipped iced coffee drink? You may be consuming a ½ cup of sugar. Startling!

We sure don’t want to forget about the kiddos. Cleveland Clinic recommends children ages 2 to 18 eat less than six teaspoons of sugar a day. Consuming too much sugar early in life is linked to increased risk for heart disease as well as unhappy visits to the dentist.

Although worrying about your waistline may be the primary motivator for you to limit your sugar intake, there are other serious side effects to sugar consumption. According to a 20-year study, drinking one can of soda per day increases a man’s risk of having a heart attack by 20%. A 22-year-long study of 80,000 women found those who drank only one can of soda a day had a 75% higher risk of developing gout. It may not be a surprise that high sugar intake is related to the development of diabetes, but the actual figures are shocking. Those who consume only 1-2 cans of sugary drinks daily have a 26% greater risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, with even higher risks in young adults.

So, what do you do? You want to drink more water, but you want some flavor without the sugar. Try Cirkul! The Sips are free from sugar, calories, and artificial colors. The blends are delicious and filled with all-natural flavors from your favorite fruits, teas, and coffees. With Cirkul Sips you feel like you’re cheating since the flavors are so tasty, but you’re not, you’re treating yourself to healthy flavored water. Now’s the time for you to start making healthier choices for you and your family without compromising on flavor. Join thousands of others in making the switch to Cirkul and get happily and healthfully hydrated.