The fact that drinking too much sugary soda can lead to obesity and diabetes isn't exactly breaking news, but recent research suggests sweet carbonated beverages could also be tampering with arguably the most important player in our bodies: the brain.
According to a study out of the University of Southern California, popping the tab on a can of soda can actually put daily imbibers at risk for memory loss—especially if they're teens. Researchers found adolescent rats that sucked up pop every day experienced an inflammation of the hippocampus (otherwise known as the region of the brain that controls spatial awareness memory). So what does that mean for the non-rat population? "Our findings reveal that consuming sugar-sweetened drinks is also interfering with our brain's ability to function normally and remember critical information about our environment, at least when consumed in excess before adulthood," the study's lead author Scott Kanoski said in the university's statement. Um. Yikes.
All this is thanks to a little in-almost-everything ingredient called high fructose corn syrup. Perhaps its evil reputation precedes this article, but before anyone hits the panic button, it's important to understand exactly what HFCS actually is; namely, an artificial sweetener. Since the '70s, the additive has been in many of the processed foods we eat, from meat to drinks to canned soup. Derived from corn, it's a cheaper and more abundant alternative to sugar (the good—or at least, better stuff like agave, cane sugar, and honey—is more expensive to manufacture).
And to give you an idea of how prevalent HCFS is… On average, an American adult consumes 40 pounds of it per year, but young people are actually taking in more than that. A Yale study found that the average teen gets close to 34 teaspoons per day (compared to the 22 teaspoons for adults!). And don't think if you're not sipping on Sprite that you're safe from the syrup: It's in so many things these days, even things you wouldn't think of like wheat bread, yogurt, and salad dressing.
Choosing the diet or light options of your favorite foods and beverages isn't going to help you avoid HFCS either. In fact, the American Stroke Association found that people who drank a daily diet soda actually increased their risk of developing vascular-related illnesses (including dementia) by a whopping 61 percent.
So what's a girl to do? No matter how you slice it (pour it, or mix it), when it comes to hydration, water is always your best bet. And make sure you're checking labels to see what contains this amnesia-inducing additive so you can skip it whenever possible: It's in your best interest to opt out of this sugar substitute habit for a healthy body and mind.