Have you ever noticed how great a cold drink tastes when it’s hot out? Whether you plan on spending your days working at a camp, playing sports, or mowing your neighbors’ yards for some extra spending cash, chances are you’ll take in a fair amount of summer heat these next few months. And no matter how much fun you’re having free from teachers and textbooks, heat is heat, and none of us are immune to its effects. Sometimes it just hits you – the dry throat, that dizzy, light-headed feeling, and a loss of energy. How do we combat these feelings? With shade and liquid. Oh, sweet liquid! After a few hours with the sun beating down on you, it’s hard to resist that icy-cold can of Sprite with beads of sweat running down its aluminum sides.

Let’s pause here for a moment. There’s no denying that hydration is important, and when you’re over-worked and heat-struck, it sure feels good. But do you ever think about what you’re pouring into your body when you drink soda?

One 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola, Pepsi, or Sprite has between 38-41 grams of sugar. For reference, most sugar packets you see at restaurants contain 4 grams. Thus, a single can of soda can have the equivalent amount of sugar as ten packets of sugar. And that’s only a can. Very few people will sit down and eat ten packets of sugar, for obvious reasons. The problem is that it’s all too easy to finish off a large sugary drink, especially in the heat of summer. Unlike a slice of cake that can ruin your appetite, sodas don’t trigger feelings of fullness, so people end up taking in those calories in addition to what they get from food. The extra calories soda can lead to obesity and diabetes, so why do we think that it’s okay to consume so much sugar in liquid form?

The truth is, people are starting to change their minds about the perceived harmlessness of drinking soda. 29 states and the District of Columbia already tax soft drinks, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently made headlines for banning the sale of large sugary drinks in restaurants, effective next March. Using the phrase “sugary drinks” was deliberate. Sodas are not the only culprit in our over-consumption of sugar in liquid form. A 20 ounce bottle of Vitamin Water can have 32 grams of sugar (8 sugar packets), and a 20 ounce bottle of Powerade can have 35 grams of sugar (8 and a half sugar packets). Even a 12 ounce can of lemonade can come in at a whopping 40 grams of sugar (10 packets!), and all of that is added sugar, so don’t be tricked by an image of juicy fruit on the label. Mayor Bloomberg’s new ban only applies to New York City, but it is grounded in science that holds true outside of the five boroughs.

There are many who disagree with Mayor Bloomberg’s method for reducing sugar intake in New York City, but his actions are definitely getting the attention of consumers all over the country. Even if your elected officials aren’t dictating the size of your beverages, it’s worthwhile to stop and think about what you are about to put in your body before you down a whole Big Gulp.

Remember, when you’re thirsty your body needs liquids, not sugar. So next time you’re feeling parched, reach for some good ‘ol H2O. Added bonus – if you use a reusable bottle, it can save your waistline, your wallet, and the environment.

-Hannah