Scientists have long known that those who regularly guzzle fizzy drinks, like Cola and Sprite, are more likely to suffer a host of heart and dental problems, compared to those who opt for water instead. But now an investigation has revealed the worst offenders: with some cans containing five times the amount of sugar and four times the calories than others. The unhealthiest of the bunch is Coca Cola Cherry, containing nearly three teaspoons of sugar and nearly the same calories as three chocolate chip cookies.
However, if your pop of choice is old-fashioned American soda, you might not be as prone to the negative health consequences. One 330ml can of Barr American Cream Soda contains less than two teaspoons of sugar and less than 10 calories. Lemonade fans are in luck too — one can of R-Whites Premium Lemonade contains two teaspoons of the sweet stuff and fewer calories than an apple.
NHS guidelines recommend consuming no more than six teaspoons of 'free' sugars per day — which means sugars that are in cakes, sweets, chocolates and fizzy drinks. Just behind the cherry version, the original was also found to have a high amount of sugar, a teaspoon more than a Mars Bar, but about the same calories as the cherry version. Over 3.
2 billion cans of the carbonated beverages were sold in the UK in 2023 The analysis has also highlighted how...
Luke Chafer.