Girls who drank soda at a young age are more likely to have unhealthy diets as they age, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
For 10 years, researchers from Penn State observed the dietary trends of 170 girls age 5 years old, and split them into groups that did and didnt drink the sugary beverages.
While neither group met the proper nutritional standards, the results of the trial showed that girls who didnt drink soda had healthier eating habits than those who consume soda. Girls who drank the sugar-sweetened beverages had a poor intake of fiber, protein, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and potassium.
Also, the team of investigators discovered that aside from drinking soda, the biggest difference between the two groups was how much milk they consumed. The study showed that girls who didnt drink soda consumed about 10 to 11 ounces of milk per day, while the peers consumed less than 7 ounces per day.
In addition to unhealthy eating habits, high soda consumption can lead to weight gain, diabetes, dental problems and an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.