I remember Dentist Mike Mooney’s display in his waiting room. It caught my attention years ago. The depiction clearly showed the amount of refined sugar in various prepared food items, especially sodas. What do you call them—sodas, dopes, pop, soft drinks? I had some favorites, especially since Pepsi Cola was born in the Carolinas and Cheerwine came from the Charlotte area. And then, there was a period of time I couldn’t get enough Fresca.

That’s about the time Dr. Mooney’s display smacked my brain with a reality. Of course, he tied it to tooth rot, but since that time, we have learned that refined sugar causes havoc throughout the body system. One of the worst may be the threat of stroke that comes along with a steady diet of sugar-bearing canned and bottled drinks.

In the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, according to Adam Bernstein, MD, DSc, of Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute, consuming one can of soda per day, either sugar-sweetened or diet, increased a person’s risk of stroke over time by 16 percent. The key words over time describe many health problems. One may not be so bad, but the body becomes accustomed to what we throw into it, is continually trying to compensate for the toxins, and eventually just can’t handle the overwork required to keep us healthy.

“Concerns are building about sugary beverages and their association with obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.” The lead line in the article, “Lately, soda pop has been losing some of its fizz.” by The Wellness Team at the Health Hub of the Cleveland Clinic, cutely says you need to be finding healthier beverages to wet your whistle. The article, “Do You Drink Soda Every Day?” presents information on the results of the recent study. You’ll find it interesting and it may save your life.

Choose water, natural juices—veggie or fruit, natural smoothies and some herbal teas

instead of the syrupy, sugary soft drinks. You may cut back gradually, or you may do the “cold turkey” thing. Sugarholicism has a hold on your body, if you have a steady diet of the white stuff. Withdrawal proves to be quite real and sometimes painfully uncomfortable, but as you can see from this report, cutting back is well worth considering.

That’s why we’re here to support and encourage you. We have a few smoothies and juices listed on this site and on our Facebook Page. If you need more suggestions, reply below, or just ask. Be well!