Game World!: can coca cola reduce belly fat?

How To Get A Flat Stomach In A Week With Coke/Coke-cola For A Flat Stomach Drink In A Week

Excessive consumption of sugary soda and other high-calorie beverages can cause weight gain and many other health problems. Stop drinking this beverage if you want to lose belly fat and boost your weight loss.

Drinking sweetened soda and other high-calorie beverages in excess can make you gain weightDrinking sweetened soda and other high-calorie beverages in excess can make you gain weight | Photo Credit: Thinkstock

New Delhi: You probably that drinking sweetened soda and other high-calorie beverages can cause weight gain. There have been a number of studies that showed sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), particularly carbonated soft drinks, as a key contributor to the epidemic of overweight and obesity. So, if you want to slim down your waist quickly and avoid gaining unhealthy belly fat, you would want to stop drinking soda. Making this simple change in your food habits can make a huge difference, helping you achieve a lean and fit body in very less time.

In fact, one study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that drinking one less soda a week may promote weight loss. The researchers found that people who cut their sugary soda intake by about one can a week gained almost a pound less (0.88 lb) than those who didn’t drink less. If you’re committed to losing weight, giving up soda could be one of the best steps you can take. Take a look at how sugary drinks can make you gain weight and vulnerable to many chronic health conditions. Read: 10-day weight loss plan: 6 easy tips to burn fat and lose weight without diet or exercise

Harmful effects of sodas on human health

The problem is that calories in soft drinks add up quickly, contributing to a larger waistline. Moreover, these sugary beverages can be downright addictive for many people. Added sugar is highly fattening and does not make you feel full. When consumed in excess, it can have disastrous effects on your health. High consumption of sugar dramatically increases belly fat, which is the dangerous fat that leads to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Studies have also linked consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to an increased risk of cancer. Also Read - How to lose belly fat naturally: 5 herbal teas for detox and weight loss

Calories in sodas

For example, a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola contains about 140 calories, and the same size Pepsi has 150. As mentioned above, you can easily consume several hundred calories in a single sitting as sugar in soft drinks fuels every cell in your brain, making you keep wanting more of it.

If you want to lose weight, you would want to replace your daily gulp (sweetened soda) with water that does not contain fats, carbohydrates or calories. This will reduce your total sugar intake while also offering many health benefits. So, avoid sugary drinks to achieve your fitness goals, prevent chronic disease and live longer.

If you want to lose weight and slim down your belly even faster without depriving yourself or living on a treadmill, you would want to stop consuming this drink right away. Also, know the calories in coke.

Stop drinking THIS to maintain weight and prevent belly fat regain after weight lossStop drinking THIS to maintain weight and prevent belly fat regain after weight loss | Photo Credit: Thinkstock

New Delhi: Sticking to a particular diet and fitness regime can be difficult for most people trying to shed some pounds. While dieters often look for quick ways to slim down their waistlines and melt away visceral fat, or belly fat, it is true that these strategies fail in the long term due to various reasons. But there’s one simple change that can make a big difference in your weight loss journey.

If you want to lose weight and get a flat tummy fast without depriving yourself or living on a treadmill, you would want to stop drinking soda. The fact is that regularly consuming sweetened soda and other high-calorie drinks can add inches to your waistline without even realising.

How sodas and sugary drinks make you gain weight and belly fat

Sugary drinks are the most fattening foods you can eat, and avoiding them can not only help you lose weight but also reduce your risk for various health problems, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and certain cancers. Eliminating sugars from your diet will also curb your appetite, enabling you to lose weight and belly fat without hunger.

Research has linked high sugar intake to increased appetite and weight gain. One study showed that added sugar, particularly fructose, can increase your appetite, leading to overeating and weight gain. However, a diet high in protein and healthy fat has been shown to have the opposite effect by reducing hunger and calorie intake, which promotes weight loss.

Regardless of the brand you buy, calories in sodas and other sugary drinks can add up quickly. Not only they are high in added sugar and calories but are also tempting, which means you’re more likely to drink more than intended. For instance, a single 12-ounce serving can of coke provides some 140 calories and 39 grams of sugar. So, if you have a few servings of soda and energy drinks a day without thinking about it, you can easily take several hundred calories in a single sitting.

Weight loss and other health benefits of giving up soda and sugar-sweetened beverages

A number of studies have linked consuming excess soda to weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, kidney complications, fatigue and many more. Avoiding or decreasing your intake of soda and other energy drinks (including packaged fruit juices) will help you prevent these health issues while boosting your health.

One of the greatest benefits of giving up soda is weight loss, but you’ll also enjoy a range of health benefits - such as better sleep, improved heart health and blood pressure, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, decreased the risk of osteoporosis, stronger teeth, etc.

Tips to lose drop fat even faster

Here are a few tips to help you lose weight even faster:

Firstly, replace your sodas and other energy drinks with plain water which has zero calories.

Try to drink water half an hour before meals - studies suggest that drinking water 30 minutes before a meal improves digestion and weight loss.

Choose nutritious foods high in protein, fibre, and healthy fats to help boost metabolism, reduce craving, and get rid of stubborn belly fat fast.

Cut back on processed and junk foods that are loaded with unhealthy fats, added sugar and salt.

Make regular exercise a consistent part of your life.

Manage stress and get a good night’s rest every night. Both stress and poor sleep are major risk factors for weight gain and other serious health issues. Also, a lack of sleep can increase craving for high-calorie, sweet and salty foods. So taking care of your sleep and learning to manage stress is important.

With just a few changes, you can give up those unhealthy foods like sodas to improve health and lose weight. Over time, you will look better, feel better and happier too!

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

In this article, I am going to show you how to get rid of stomach fat and weight easily using Cocacola and lemon.

Some studies suggest these calorie-free versions of sugary drinks can help people lose weight. However, a new major body of research claims low-calorie sweeteners are no better for weight-loss than sugar. Despite this, one sports nutritionist maintains drinks like Diet Coke can be helpful when trying to slim down.

Lemons on the other hand are known to help you lose weight; thanks to the presence of vitamin C and antioxidants that promote good digestion. Lemons also have diuretic properties, which help in detoxifying the body, thereby helping burning fat. For losing weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume.

For you to prepare this remedy for you to get rid of the stomach fat and also help you to lose weight. You can go by the following sure steps.

Requirements

1. A cup

2. Cocacola

3. Lemon

4. Salt

Procedure

1. Open the cocacola drink and pour it into the cup.

2. Cut the lemon into two and squeeze a table spoon of it into the cup containing the cocacola.

3. Add a pinch of salt into the solution.

And there you go, your solution is ready.

Note, This is the only faster remedy to burn belly fat and help one lose weight in in the right places thereby maintaining your flat tommy and giving you a tiny waist. Making you look younger than your age.

Below are some success photos

1.2.

3.4.5.

1 Requirements – Get Rid of Belly Fat Using Cocacola And Lemon

1.1 Procedure – Get Rid of Belly Fat Using Cocacola And Lemon

2 Can Coca Cola help you lose weight?

3 Does Coke cause belly fat?

3.1 Does Coca-Cola add weight?

3.2 What drink can burn belly fat?

3.3 How much will I lose if I stop drinking soda?

3.4 What happens if you drink soda everyday?

3.5 How long does it take the body to detox from soda?

3.6 What happens if you drink 2 sodas a day?

3 Shocking Ways How Cocacola And Lemon Get Rid Of Belly Fat :

How to get rid of stomach fat and weight easily using Cocacola and lemon.

NO DIETING REMOVE BELLY FAT PERMANENTLY IN JUST 2 DAYS LOSE WAIST FAT SUPER FAT (COCA-COLA)

Some studies suggest these calorie-free versions of sugary drinks can help people lose weight. However, a new major body of research claims low-calorie sweeteners is no better for weight loss than sugar. Despite this, one sports nutritionist maintains drinks like Diet Coke can be helpful when trying to slim down.

Lemons on the other hand are known to help you lose weight; thanks to the presence of vitamin C and antioxidants that promote good digestion. Lemons also have diuretic properties, which help in detoxifying the body, thereby helping burn fat. For losing weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume.

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For you to prepare this remedy for you to get rid of the stomach fat and also help you to lose weight. You can go by the following sure steps.

Requirements – Get Rid of Belly Fat Using Cocacola And Lemon

A cup

Cocacola

Lemon

Salt

Procedure – Get Rid of Belly Fat Using Cocacola And Lemon

Open the cocacola drink and pour it into the cup.

Cut the lemon into two and squeeze a table spoon of it into the cup containing the cocacola.

Add a pinch of salt into the solution.

Your solution is ready.

Singer Ashly Williams Where Is She Now

Note, This is the only faster remedy to burn belly fat and help one lose weight in the right places thereby maintaining your flat tummy and giving you a tiny waist. Making you look younger than your age.

Can Coca Cola help you lose weight?

A sports nutritionist says drinking Diet Coke will help you lose weight, despite a new study that suggests the opposite. When it comes to diet sodas, scientific research is divided. Some studies suggest these calorie-free versions of sugary drinks can help people lose weight.

Does Coke cause belly fat?

It appears as though our bellies poke out a little more and our buttocks flatten a little more. A potential culprit for that protruding belly can be diet soda or beverages with artificial sweeteners. One recent study shows a link between the high consumption of diet drinks and the increase of belly fat in older adults.

Does Coca-Cola add weight?

Coke Zero Sugar is a zero-sugar, zero-calorie cola. Sugar alternatives are used in place of sugar in many foods and drinks to provide people with a reduced, low, or no sugar and calorie option.

What drink can burn belly fat?

starting your day with a glass of lukewarm lemon water can do wonders for your body. The drink is packed with antioxidants and pectin fibre, which helps in melting belly fat. To make the drink take a glass of water, squeeze some lemon juice and add a teaspoon of honey to it.

How much will I lose if I stop drinking soda?

If you regularly consume one 12 oz. can per day, you will be cutting 150 calories from your diet once you stop drinking soda. A pound of fat is equivalent to 3,500 calories, which means you can lose a pound every three and a half weeks by cutting out sodas

Cocacola And Lemon

What happens if you drink soda everyday?

According to the US Framingham Heart Study, drinking one can of soda has not only been linked to obesity but also an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, impaired sugar levels, increased waist size, high blood pressure and higher cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of heart disease.

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How long does it take the body to detox from soda?

Six hours after caffeine is consumed, half of it is still in your body. It can take up to 10 hours to completely clear caffeine from your bloodstream.

What happens if you drink 2 sodas a day?

Drinking more than 2 sodas per day can increase your risk of dying, study finds. (WTNH) — According to a new study, those who drink more than two glasses of soda or any soft drink per day have a high risk of dying

Can I drink Coke on my period?

Water, Water, Water

Staying hydrated won't curb your cramping directly, but it can help with bloating, which makes cramps feel worse. When your period is coming, keep a water bottle handy, and toss in some mint or a squeeze of lemon to encourage you to drink. Tone down the salt (never more than 2,300 milligrams per day) and avoid alcohol -- both of which can pull water out of your system.

Comfort Foods

Doughnuts, potato chips, and other fatty fried foods are not your friends. Stick to a low-fat, high-fiber diet: whole grains, lentils and beans, vegetables (especially leafy dark-green ones), fruits, and nuts.

Nutrients such as vitamins E, B1, and B6, magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids cut back on the hormone-like substances responsible for those painful cramps or help relieve muscle tension and inflammation.

Lay Off the Latte

Caffeine can make cramps worse, so steer clear of coffee before and during your period. Make sure you're not sneaking it in with soda, energy drinks, chocolate, or tea. If you need a morning or midday pick-me-up, try a small smoothie packed with veggies instead.

Pop a Pill

Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium lessen pain and make you cramp less overall. Keep a small stash in your makeup bag or car so you're not searching when you need it most. Bonus: Ibuprofen and naproxen can also help make your flow a little lighter.

Hit It With Heat

These days, you don't need to plug in to get the benefit of warm, relaxing relief. Whether you're on a date or at your desk, you have options. Check out microwavable heat pads, rechargeable cordless heat wraps, or disposable heat wraps designed just for menstrual cramps. Many drugstores carry a few choices if you're on the go.

Get Moving

While there isn't much evidence that working out targets period pain, many women swear by a sweat session to loosen up. Exercise releases brain chemicals called endorphins that make you feel good. So take a walk, jump on the treadmill, or go for a swim!

Massage

As little as 5 minutes a day on your belly can boost the blood flow and ease tension to help you feel better. Start a few days before you expect your period.

Women who began rubbing a cream with a blend of lavender, clary sage, and marjoram oils on their abdomens after their period had cramps for less time during their next one. These essential oils have pain-killing compounds.

Herbal Help

Black cohosh, chasteberry, cramp bark, and turmeric have been traditionally used for pain. Evening primrose oil has also been found to help some women with cramps, but the scientific evidence isn't strong. Check with your doctor before you make a tea with any of these or take a supplement. Some herbs can cause problems with medications or make them less effective, including birth control.

Acupressure

Touching key places on your belly, back, and feet can increase blood flow and release endorphins to soothe both your body and mind for a little while. There's also a spot in the fleshy part between your thumb and index finger that relieves aches and pain. See a trained, certified expert to help you find those points and explain how to stimulate them.

Strike a Pose

Exercises that work your core are as good for cramps as a massage. Start with a few deep breaths while lying on your back with bent knees. Try yoga positions such as bound angel, bridge, and staff pose. While some yogis say no to inversions (when your head goes below your heart) during your period, other medical experts say that advice is outdated and it's fine to do them.

Snooze Smart

Sleep might not come easily when you have strong cramps. To make the most of your night's rest, ditch your smartphone in bed. Wind down with a calming bedtime routine in the days leading up to your period. You may also have to try different sleep positions, especially if you're usually on your stomach. Catch a short power nap, if you can, during the day.

Treat Yourself to a Bath

Fill the tub, add some bubbles, and settle in with your favorite magazine or book (and your rubber ducky). The warm water will help calm your muscles and your mind. Don't have a bathtub? A warm shower can be soothing, too.

Talk to Your Doctor

Can't get enough relief? Some forms of birth control keep your hormone levels in check so there's less pain. For most women, cramps are normal, but sometimes they're a sign of a more serious condition. Bring notes about how often and how intense your cramping is.

Is Coke and lime good?

In order to distract myself from a particularly stressful week full of school and work, I decided to go on a quest to figure out the best Coke flavors in the world. Luckily, I live around the corner from a Wawa (aka the greatest convenience store ever) so I was able to snag a ton of Coke flavors within minutes. I looked a little crazy trekking through the pouring rain holding trays full of soda, but hey, I suffer for my art.

Emma Glubiak

Here's how it went down: I set up a blind taste test of the eight flavors of regular Coke available on Wawa's soda machine. I also added in other popular variations of Coke like Diet Coke, Diet Caffeine-Free Coke, and Coke Zero. I know that Coke Zero is now called "Coke Zero Sugar," but the soda machine I used still said Coke Zero and therefore that is what I will call it in this article.

The result was a blind taste test of 11 Coke flavors, during which my three soda-loving pals and I ranked our top flavors.

Emma Glubiak

This ranking is the conclusion we came to after tons of deliberation and passionate, almost friendship-ending arguments (just kidding, we were all pretty much on the same page about what the best Coke flavors were).

11. Orange Coke

Orange is Coke is straight up nasty, and no one should ever, ever try it. The artificial orange flavor is super gross and it literally sits on your tongue after just one sip. We all had to chug water after taking a sip of this bad boy.

10. Raspberry Coke

Raspberry sounded really appealing to me in theory, but the actual flavor is an overly sweet disaster. Two different people compared it to cough medicine during the tasting, which is a very bad sign.

9. Lemon Coke

If you order Coke at a restaurant, the waiter or waitress will often ask you if you want lemon. I always say yes because I love fresh lemon. This flavor however was NOT fresh lemon; it was an artificial mess that I would never order again. The lemon flavor was fake and almost metallic. I will, however, say that this flavor was controversial because one of my citrus-loving friends really liked it. The rest of us agreed that it was not great.

8. Diet Caffeine-Free Coke

This version of Coke is pretty mediocre, which is why it earned the number eight spot. Basically, we all agreed that it was relatively flavorless and didn't have the classic zing on your tongue that Coke normally has.

7. Coke Zero

Coke Zero also ranks relatively low because compared to the other kinds of Coke we tried, it had very little flavor. It was sweeter than Caffeine-Free Coke, which is why it's slightly higher on the list.

6. Cherry Vanilla Coke

Coca-Cola bottle photo by Marc Fulgar (@fulgarrr) on Unsplash

on unsplash

This is a combo of two of the best Coke flavors, so it should have been absolute perfection. Sadly, it was not. It was good, but the two flavors are sweet individually so the combination was a sugar overload. Only drink this if you're craving lots of sugar.

5. Diet Coke

Skyline, City, soda, Coca-Cola, coke, Diet

Tess Tarantino

We all agreed that Diet Coke was waaaay better than the Diet Caffeine-Free or Coke Zero, but it still had a slightly artificial aftertaste that isn't present in regular Coke. Before you get confused, yes, there is a difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero.

4. Lime Coke

There's no denying it, Coke with Lime is dope. There's a really subtle lime flavor that brings out the flavor of the Coke in an amazing way. However, some of the tasters thought that the lime flavor was actually a little too subtle, earning it the number four spot.

3. Vanilla Coke

Say it with me now: Vanilla Coke is incredible. This is unarguably one of the best Coke flavors. The vanilla flavor isn't too overpowering, but it tastes like a Coke float without the actual float. It also goes perfectly with popcorn at the movies.

2. Regular Coke

Skyline, City, Coca-Cola, coke, soda

Tess Tarantino

Ya can't beat a classic. Regular Coke was undeniably a favorite at the tasting. It was perfectly sweet and bubbly without feeling fake like some of the other flavors we tried. Even though this was amazing, I've heard McDonald's Coke is even better than Coke everywhere else.

1. Cherry Coke

Cherry is hands down the best Coke flavor. It wasn't too sweet or too artificial tasting and it had a fun fruity aftertaste that we all loved. I could picture myself enjoying this with pizza, a burger, or honestly any meal.

After trying all of this soda, we were feeling the sugar, but I'm confident in the ranking that we came up with. Next time I get soda from one of those crazy machines with hundreds of flavor options, I'll know exactly which Coke flavors are worth choosing.

What drink mixes with Coke?

What better way to freshen up happy hour than with some refreshing Coke cocktails?

Coke is the quintessential soda to double as a cocktail mixer. It’s sweet and fizzy with pleasant notes of vanilla and cinnamon.

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Rum and Cola Cuba Libre with Lime and Ice

Whether you’re a cocktail amateur or professional bartender, these effortless Coke cocktails can be ready in a snap.

What’s even better is they’re sure to please.

This collection has everything from a fruity bourbon Coke to the classic rum and Coke.

Take your pick and get ready to relax with an effervescent sipper in hand.

Whiskey and Coke

A Couple Cooks

Here's how to make the best Whiskey and Coke, aka Bourbon and Coke! Use any type of whiskey or bourbon for the ultimate easy cocktail. #whiskey #whiskeyandcoke #easy #cocktail #drink #partydrink #whiskeycocktail

1. Whiskey and Coke

Whiskey and Coke is a classic duo in the cocktail world. While I love a good Jack and Coke, you can make this cocktail with any brand of whiskey or bourbon.

While the ingredients are simple, the real trick is in the ratios.

For a stiff drink, you could go with equal ratios. If you like your cocktails on the sweeter side, I’d double up on the cola.

How to Make the Best Rum & Coke

Liquor.com

2. Rum and Coke

This is an excellent gateway cocktail to master the craft of mixology. All the ingredients are right in the name, making it a no-brainer.

Add your two ingredients to a highball glass, give it a good stir, and it’s cocktail time.

Once you’ve got this classic down, you can mix things up with different flavored rums. Spiced rum or vanilla rum are both terrific options.

Try it out and see what you like. That’s the art of mixology after all.

Make Pitcher-Sized Batch of Long Island Iced Tea For the Ultimate Party Cocktail

Simply Recipes

Long Island Iced Tea Recipe

3. Long Island Iced Tea

Now, this is the drink to get the party started! Long Island iced tea has a reputation for packing a stiff punch with a deceivingly sweet flavor.

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This recipe has all the spirits including vodka, gin, tequila, and white rum. Meanwhile, a splash of triple sec, simple syrup, and cola sweeten the deal.

In just 3 days use coke to lose weight fast super effective

While you may have heard it’s not a good idea to mix this many liquors, it’s all too good in this iced tea.

Speaking of which, you’re probably wondering about the iced tea.

The name is a bit of a misnomer because iced tea refers to the color of the drink, not an ingredient.

Whisky Cherry Coke Smash made with Crown Royal

Champagne and Coconuts

4. Whiskey Cherry Coke Smash

A smash is an excellent cocktail template that is as versatile as it is refreshing.

This recipe makes it extra special with a splash of cherry cola. It even adds fresh cherries for a fruitier flavor.

If fresh cherries aren’t in season, you could substitute maraschino cherries. Just keep in mind these will be much sweeter.

Jack's Tennessee Sweet Tea

theslowroasteditalian.com

5. Tennessee Sweet Tea

Sweet tea is a must when you’re in the south. But you can enjoy this adult version anywhere.

Coke, honey, and a hint of lemon mimic the flavor of sweet tea. Meanwhile, a splash of Jack Daniel’s keeps it smooth.

You could even serve this as a mocktail by omitting the whiskey.

Whiskey or not, you’ll want to make sure the honey fully dissolves before serving. So don’t add the ice until everything is well mixed.

Bourbon Cherry Coke {Just 4-Ingredients}

Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

6. Bourbon Cherry Coke

There is something about cherry Coke that tastes stellar in bourbon. This cocktail makes it even more refreshing by muddling fresh cherries with sugar.

You will need to strain the muddle cherries so a shaker is a must. Also, be sure to use pitted cherries so you get more juice from the fruit.

Rum, Amaretto, and Cola May Transform You Into a Lounge Lizard

The Spruce Eats

Lounge Lizard Cocktail Recipe

7. Lounge Lizard

Once you’ve perfected a rum and Coke, give this cocktail a whirl. The ingredients are fairly similar except this version calls for dark rum and amaretto.

Amaretto is an Italian liqueur with an almond flavor. The hint of nuttiness adds a layer of complexity that’s incredibly complementary.

Garnish with a lime wedge and a cherry, then get ready because you’ll want to do nothing but leisurely lounge around.

Jack and Coke

A Couple Cooks

BEST Jack and Coke (Recipe & Tips!) – A Couple Cooks

8. Jack and Coke

This classic libation is the definition of easy cocktails. Coke and Jack Daniel’s are all it takes to make this drink.

Although simple, you’ll want to figure out the right ratios. This recipe also adds in a lemon wedge to cut through the sweetness for a more balanced flavor profile.

Lemon or not, this is the cocktail to showcase the excellence of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey and Coca-Cola.

Vodka Paralyzer

Allrecipes

9. Vodka Paralyzer

While the name might sound frightening, this drink is insanely delicious.

It combines milk, coffee liqueur, vodka, and cola into a decadent creamy cocktail. You could even blend it for a refreshing frozen treat.

The smooth and sweet taste makes it a wonderful option for dessert. I think it’s also an excellent afternoon pick-me-up after a long day.

Best Bartenders Root Beer Recipe - Food.com

food.com

Best Bartenders Root Beer Recipe - Food.com

10. Bartender’s Root Beer

Don’t let the name fool you, there’s no root beer in this cocktail. Yet, the clever concoction of ingredients will have you thinking there certainly is some.

You make the bartender’s root beer like this. Take creamy Kaluha and mix it with Galliano, Coke, and club soda.

In case you’re not familiar, Galliano is an Italian herbal liqueur. It has a unique flavor profile that includes woodsy, citrusy, and vanilla notes.

This effervescent drink is better than root beer in my humble opinion. But then again, I’m a big fan of Kahlua drinks.

Dracula's Kiss Cocktail

Homemade Hooplah

Dracula's Kiss Cocktail - Homemade Hooplah

11. Dracula’s Kiss

Looking for a fun Halloween cocktail? This is one of my favorites.

Grenadine adds a reddish hue and extra cherry kick. Speaking of cherry, you’ll need black cherry cola vodka and some maraschino cherries.

You could also opt for cherry Coka to make it super fruity. But the classic cola will work just fine.

Vodka and Coke

A Couple Cooks

Vodka and Coke is the ultimate easy vodka cocktail! Here's the ratio for how to make it and a few ideas on how to step it up. #vodkaandcoke #vodkacocktail #easycocktail #vodka #coke #cocacola #cocktail

12. Vodka and Coke

While rum and whiskey may get all the glory, vodka lets all the wonderful flavors of Coke shine. Plus, this cocktail is super easy.

All you need is some quality vodka and a few ounces of Coca-Cola. The recipe also uses a dash of Angostura bitters to balance out the flavor.

You’ll have some extra Coke on your hands so I say make it a food pairing with this scrumptious Coca-Cola chicken recipe.

Crown and Coke

A Couple Cooks

Here's how to make Crown and Coke: one of the easiest Crown Royal cocktails there is! Here's the ratio to use and a few tricks to step it up. #crownandcoke #crown #crownroyal #crownroyalcocktails

13. Crown and Coke

Last, but not least, is the simple and delicious Crown and Coke. As the name suggests, you’ll combine Crown Royal whiskey with Coca-Cola.

Why Crown Royal? This type of Canadian whisky has a terrific flavor profile to enhance the flavors of Coke.

It has sweet vanilla and caramel flavors with a hint of oakiness to round it out.

You can doctor it up with citrus and bitters, or keep it classy. You can’t go wrong either way.

13 Best Coke Cocktails

INGREDIENTS

Whiskey and Coke

Rum and Coke

Long Island Iced Tea

Whiskey Cherry Coke Smash

Tennessee Sweet Tea

Bourbon Cherry Coke

Lounge Lizard

Jack and Coke

Vodka Paralyzer

Bartender’s Root Beer

Dracula’s Kiss

Vodka and Coke

Crown and Coke

DIRECTIONS

Select your favorite recipe.

Organize all the required ingredients.

Prep a Coke cocktail in 30 minutes or less!

Why is Coke so tasty?

It's not in your head. It actually is different than other fountain sodas.

If you’ve ever ordered a Coke at McDonald’s and thought it tasted better than any other Coke in your life, you’re not alone. And the taste difference isn’t in your head. Coca-Cola aficionados have long maintained that McDonald’s Coke is the best, and we’re here to get to the bottom of the conundrum. If you’re looking for more McDonald’s food facts, read up about McDonald’s Sprite, McDonald’s fries, and the classic McDonald’s chicken nuggets.

Does McDonald’s have different Coke?

McDonald’s gets the same syrup delivered for their fountain machines that all restaurants get. There is no difference in the formula, and McDonald’s doesn’t add any special ingredients. The difference is that McDonald’s takes better care of its Coca-Cola than most restaurants do.

Why does Coke seem to taste better at McDonald’s?

It all starts with the packaging. Typically, restaurants get their soda syrups in plastic bags, but Coca-Cola does something different for McDonald’s. The fast-food chain gets its Coke syrup delivered in stainless steel tanks. According to the New York Times, the material keeps the soda fresher, and your tongue can taste the difference. Check out these other 17 things McDonald’s employees won’t tell you.

Once the syrup reaches the restaurant, it doesn’t just become an afterthought. Both the syrup and the water (which goes through its own “proper filtration methods”) get pre-chilled before going into the soda fountain. Other places might rely on the dispenser itself to chill lukewarm water, but McDonald’s uses insulated tubes to deliver the liquid from the fridge to the fountain, keeping the liquid as chilled as possible, according to the New York Post.

This gives McDonald’s a head start in delivering the ice-cold Coca-Cola you crave. It also improves the carbonation in your drink. As soda warms up, the CO2 wants to escape quicker, according to researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara. So because the water is kept so cold at McDonald’s, that gas doesn’t escape, and you maintain your fizz. Here are 75 other mind-blowing facts about McDonald’s.

Still, the fast-food chain is well aware that your soda will start to go from refreshingly cold to lukewarm the moment you pour it out. Of course, customers add ice to keep it chilled, but that can mean watered-down Coke. Ugh. To fight against that, the company says it makes sure it uses “the ratio of syrup set to allow for ice to melt.”

The soda itself isn’t the only difference, though. McDonald’s also has different straws than most restaurants use. “It’s slightly wider than a typical straw, so all that Coke taste can hit all your tastebuds,” says the company. Here’s why the McFlurry spoon has a square handle, by the way.

Is McDonald’s Coke real Coke?

Yes, McDonald’s Coke is real Coke. Between the special transportation method, the pre-chilling process, and the ratio of syrup used to ice, McDonald’s Coke is going to taste a little fresher. But it’s as real as Coke can get!

How much is Coke at McDonald’s?

You can grab an extra-small, small, medium, or large Coke at McDonald’s on their $1, $2, or $3 menu, depending on what size you get. Coke isn’t the only food the restaurant does particularly well. Now that you know all about this classic McDonald’s drink, learn these facts you never knew about Big Macs. Then, read up on why Mexican Coke tastes better than American Coke and what the difference between Coke Zero and Diet Coke is.

Sources:

The New York Times: “Coke and McDonald’s, Growing Together Since 1955”

McDonald’s:”Our Food. Your Questions.”

New York Post: “Why McDonald’s Coke tastes better than all the other Cokes”

UCSB Science Line: “Why does warm soda have more carbonation?”

What are the disadvantages of drinking Coca-Cola?

Colas, also known as sodas, soft drinks, cokes, pops, and soda pops, are a sweetened, flavored, and carbonated soft drink. Most colas contain caffeine and are sweetened with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Cola dates back to 1886, the year that John Pemberton invented coca cola, which was quickly imitated by other companies. Today, the two most popular cola companies are Coca-Cola and Pepsi with over 2,800 cola products available in over 200 countries.

Nutrition Information

One 8-ounce serving of cola contains:

Calories: 101

Protein: 0 grams

Fat: 0 grams

Carbohydrates: 26 grams

Sugars: 26 grams

Most cans of soda contain 12 ounces of liquid, or one and a half servings. Additionally, the majority of colas do not contain major minerals or vitamins. The Coca-Cola label states “*Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium”.

Many types of cola also contain caffeine. One 20 ounce bottle of Coca-Cola contains 54 mg of caffeine.

Potential Health Benefits of Colas

The health risks associated with drinking colas comes from its added sugar, which supplies your body with large amounts of the simple sugar, fructose:

Weight Gain

Colas significantly contribute towards weight gain. Multiple studies report a clear association between soft drink consumption and increased body weight. Research also shows that people tend to drink sugary sodas in addition to the calories they would otherwise consume. One reason for this is that fructose produces smaller amounts of the hormones that make you feel full. Furthermore, soft drinks and other liquid carbohydrates also produce less satiety when compared to solid foods.

Sugar Addiction

Sugar may be addictive, particularly to people with other forms of addiction. Some of the same parts of the brain that are involved when a person abuses drugs are also involved when you eat, allowing for the creation of addiction-like signals when you ingest certain foods.

Early studies conducted with rats have demonstrated that sugar bingeing can lead to the same signs of dependence that opiates do. However, scientists disagree as to whether sugar should be considered a potential addiction as more human testing is needed.

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Belly Fat

The amount and location of weight gained from consuming fructose creates its own health risks. Fructose leads to belly or abdominal fat (visceral fat), which occupies the space between organs, and external fat (subcutaneous fat), which is found right under the skin. Even if you are otherwise at a healthy weight, belly fat can be dangerous, increasing the likeliness of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer.

Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes

Consuming too much fructose may lead to insulin resistance, a feature of metabolic syndrome. You may become less sensitive to the hormone insulin, which clears sugar from your blood.

Metabolic syndrome frequently precedes the development of type 2 diabetes, another danger linked to sugary drinks. Even one or two colas a day could increase your risk of type 2 diabetes by more than 20%.

Heart Disease

Sugar intake is linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess fat, all of which increase the risk of heart disease.

Cancer

Colas and other sugary drinks have been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Research aslso shows that p ostmenopausal women may be at a greater risk of developing endometrial (or uterine) cancer if they consume colas.

Tooth Decay

Both the acids and the sugars present in soft drinks can contribute to tooth decay and poor oral health.

Gout

Gout is a type of arthritis that results from a buildup of uric acid, which causes crystals to form in your joints. Fructose is known to increase uric acid levels, and high levels of fructose indicate a corresponding likelihood of developing gout.

Dementia

High blood sugar levels have been correlated with an increased risk of dementia, particularly in the form of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Healthier Alternatives

The next time you want something to drink other than water, try one of these healthier alternatives:

Flavored Sparkling Water

If it’s carbonation you crave, try sparkling water. You can have it with or without added flavor. Many brands of naturally flavored, sugar-free sparkling water are readily available commercially.

Juice

Juice can come with its own health risks related to its sugary contents. However, if you do need a sweet beverage, juice can provide some vitamins and nutrients.

Iced Tea

If it’s the caffeine you need, try a glass of iced tea. Flavor it with lemon or a tiny splash of juice to keep the sugar content low. If it’s still not sweet enough, use stevia or natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup.

What happens to your body if you only drink Coke?

Coca-Cola can do some pretty strange things. And the ingredients inside of it might be even more bizarre. Just imagine what it’s doing inside your body after you drink it.

Now take that one step further, and imagine only drinking Coca-Cola for the rest of your life. What effects does Coca-Cola have on your body? What would this do to your teeth? And how bad would replacing coke with water be?

Believe it or not, someone has done something like this before. A woman in Monaco stopped drinking water and only drank Coca-Cola for 16 years straight. Did she survive doing this to her body? And what would happen if you did the same?

Doctors recommend that people should drink anywhere from 3-4 liters of water a day. So instead, we’re going to replace that with Coca-Cola. A single can of Coke has 39 g (1.38 oz) of sugar.

To get your daily fluid intake, you’d need to drink over eight cans of Coke each day. That’s 312 g of sugar. It would be like eating six chocalate bars. For reference, it’s recommended that people consume less than 40 grams of sugar every day.

So, yeah, this would be a lot of extra sugar, not to mention the extra calories. Your Coke intake alone would be nearly an extra 8,000 calories a week. But that wouldn’t be all

the extra calories you’d consume.

This sugary drink could also cause you to eat more as well. And with all these extra calories, it would lead to some serious weight gain. As you drink more Coke, tooth decay would also be a severe issue.

Each sip of Coke would coat your teeth, tongue, and gums for hours after you’ve finished your soda. Unless you stick to an incredibly strict toothbrushing schedule, the sugars would slowly break down your enamel.

This could eventually lead to your teeth completely rotting. And once you’re done drinking your sodas for the day, expect to be going to the washroom a lot. The caffeine in Coca-Cola is a natural diuretic, meaning that you’re going to be peeing a lot more.

But the caffeine would be the least of your worries. One of the main ingredients you’d need to worry about is the high fructose corn syrup. That’s because our bodies don’t metabolize it.

And this could lead to a fatty liver. Symptoms of a fatty liver include fatigue and pain in the upper right abdomen. As you continue to drink Coca-Cola, you would experience even more health issues.

You might have frequent fainting spells and have a potassium deficiency. Due to all the sugar, caffeine, and other chemicals, you’d also experience problems with your heart rate.

But the issues won’t stop there. As time goes on, you’d also have a massive risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, and loads of vitamin deficiencies. And if all these issues continued, and you decided to ignore them, you could develop proteinuria, which could then lead to kidney problems.

And after years of only drinking Coke, you’d eventually be 600 pounds, with a huge list of health issues. You’d take your final sips of Coca-Cola and then die due to a heart attack, kidney failure, or other health-related issue.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. Remember the woman who drank Coca-Cola for 16 years? She had a lot of the same issues you had with fainting and weight gain. But after 16 years of only drinking Coke, she decided to stop, and her body bounced back to a relatively healthy state in a short period of time.

So you might be able to do this for over a decade without experiencing any severe repercussions. But although drinking only Coke for a week, month, or even a year wouldn’t kill you, it doesn’t mean you should do it.

What does Coke and milk do to your stomach?

Ever dealt with the case of mixing your drinks and regretted the decision the next morning? Been there done that, you say.

But when comedy writer James Felton shared photos of him enjoying his unique homemade cocktail on Twitter, people were left truly disgusted.

On Friday, Felton created a stir on microblogging site after he claimed that Milk + Coke was a "real thing" and that people of Birmingham absolutely loved the combination.

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What happens when you mix the two drinks?

Pouring milk in Coke or vice versa results into a reaction of phosphoric acid in the Coke to milk's proteins causing them to stick together, creating dense lumps that later settle at the bottom. In short, the milk curdles up.

This, not unappetizing drink, met Felton's approval, who wrote, "Milk coke is a real thing. Brummies love it. We can all move on from this discussion now, I will be taking no further questions."

Is Coca Cola worse than alcohol?

It is next to impossible to avoid a good beverage especially during social interactions hence why it is necessary to make healthy choices in deciding which beverage to take.

There is a long-standing debate on the merits of various beverages, including soft drinks and alcohol. Which one is the healthier choice? Continuing reading on the details about the healthier choice between alcohol and soft drinks.

Nutrition:

If you are to compare alcohol and soft drinks from a nutrition point of view then alcohol is easily your winner as soft drinks have absolutely no nutritional value with processed sugar being one of the major components. Sugar will bring down your insulin resistance due to the rise of toxin influx in the body and this makes you a prey to diseases like diabetes. On the other hand, beer contains a small amount of protein due to the ingredients added when it is brewed for consumption and also contains some amount of antioxidants and potassium.

Kilo calories:

Both alcohol and soft drinks contain plenty of kilo calories but on the parameter of kilo calories, soft drinks are a healthier choice over alcohol. People tend to drink soft drinks at a slower pace, which means that they consume less of it. Once you start enjoying an alcoholic drink, you tend to take more of them and much faster. Also, alcohol makes you hungry, which implies that you start reaching out for various kinds of snacks and other unhealthy food. In such cases, you will tend to gain weight much faster if you choose alcohol every time. This will not really be the case when you choose soft drinks.

Toxins:

Alcohol is brewed in such a way that ensures it carries a lot of toxins, which are not good for the liver and heart in the long run. These toxins can easily clog the arteries and create complications for the functioning of the liver.

Glycemic index: This is the count that is accorded to the level of insulin resistance in one’s drink of choice. For alcohol, the glycemic resistance is much higher, which means that you have better insulin resistance as compared to other soft drinks, which are high in sugar content. Therefore, it makes alcohol a highly unhealthy choice, which can also result in diabetes in the long run, if one ingests too much of it.

Please note, the medical information provided in this article is provided as an information resource only. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Which is healthier beer or Coke?

On average, a lagger has fewer calories per twelve ounces than a soda, and most light beers contain about half as many calories per twelve ounce can as sodas do. A can of soda could contain forty or more grams of sugar, whereas a can of beer contains zero.

Table of contents

Is alcohol or soft drinks worse?

Is beer healthy to drink?

Is beer better for you than diet soda?

Is one beer a day bad?

Which is worse coke or alcohol?

What’s worse candy or alcohol?

Which has more sugar alcohol or soda?

Are soft drinks harmful?

Is sugar or alcohol worse for your liver?

What is the healthiest beer to drink?

How healthy or unhealthy is beer?

Is 1 beer a day OK?

Can you drink healthy drinking beer?

Which is better for you beer or diet soda?

Is drinking beer worse than soda?

Is diet soda better with alcohol?

Is it OK to drink beer everyday?

Is a beer a day a problem?

Is it healthy to drink 12 beers a day?

Is it bad to have one drink a day?

Is Alcohol Or Soft Drinks Worse?

Although both alcoholic beverages and soft drinks have plenty of calories, soft drinks are healthier than alcohol when it comes to kilo calories. The pace of soft drink consumption tends to slow down as people drink it at a slower pace, resulting in them drinking less.

Is Beer Healthy To Drink?

People in good health may experience fewer health problems if they drink alcohol, including beer. If you drink one to two drinks per day, your risk of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, and heart attacks is reduced by 30 to 50%.

Is Beer Better For You Than Diet Soda?

coffee, and even garlic are the opposite of things like diet soda when it comes to killing bacteria. You can lose weight by consuming beer, which increases the number of healthy gut microbes in your body. Spector states that the more microbes you have in your body, the better your body will absorb nutrients and calories.

Is One Beer A Day Bad?

There are 12 ounces (355 mL) of beer in each standard American bottle. Having one or two regular beers per day is possible to have positive effects, such as improving your heart health, controlling your blood sugar better, strengthening your bones, and decreasing the risk of dementia.

Which Is Worse Coke Or Alcohol?

In a recent study, researchers found that alcohol is more damaging to users themselves as well as the broader society than crack cocaine and heroin. Researchers at the University of Oxford published a study in the Lancet medical journal yesterday based on their study that rated alcohol as being almost three times more harmful than cocaine, tobacco and ecstasy combined.

What’S Worse Candy Or Alcohol?

In addition to being a drug, sugar can lead to a host of health issues. As for alcohol, it is also a toxin that the liver has a hard time processing. Both contribute to weight gain significantly.

Which Has More Sugar Alcohol Or Soda?

As a result, regular soda has even more calories when it is mixed with alcohol. Half of the calories from alcohol and half from sugar are found in a 12-ounce bottle of hard soda. In twelve ounces of other flavored beer-based drinks, there are more than 300 calories.

Are Soft Drinks Harmful?

There are a lot of sugars in soda, so it’s not good for your health. It is possible to gain weight, develop diabetes, and develop cardiovascular problems from drinking too much soda. It is possible to suffer health problems from eating too much sugar, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Is Sugar Or Alcohol Worse For Your Liver?

Research shows that sugar can damage the liver as much as alcohol, even if you don’t gain too much weight. This is yet another reason to limit foods that contain added sugars, such as soda, candy, and pastries.

What Is The Healthiest Beer To Drink?

A light beer called Yuengling Light.

Purple Haze was created by Bita.

It is called “Guinness Draught.”.

We serve Sam Adams Light Lager at our bar.

Da Schutes Brewery.

It is a session lager from Full Sail.

Clara Pacifico.

It is a Pale Ale from Sierra Nevada.

How Healthy Or Unhealthy Is Beer?

You should drink only moderate amounts of beer and other types of alcohol. Rimm says excessive alcohol consumption would eliminate any health benefits and make you more likely to develop liver cancer, cirrhosis, alcoholism, and obesity.

Is 1 Beer A Day Ok?

Alcohol usage for healthy adults is generally up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. An example of one drink would be beer, which is 12 ounces (355 milliliters).

Can You Drink Healthy Drinking Beer?

The health benefits of drinking alcohol do not extend to weight loss or healthy eating. Nevertheless, a pint of beer isn’t going to ruin your diet if you consume it in moderation and along with foods that contain protein and fiber.

Which Is Better For You Beer Or Diet Soda?

In terms of nutrition, beer is much better than cola. There is no fat or sugar in this product. Moreover, it is lower in calories and lower in carbohydrates. Minerals are found in beer in greater amounts.

Is Drinking Beer Worse Than Soda?

In other words, beer and soda are both pretty unhealthy for you if you consume them in standard form. Calories will be significantly reduced if you choose light versions. While the majority of diet sodas have zero calories, light beers do not. As long as you consume them in moderation, any of these drinks is fine.

What happens if you boil Coca Cola?

Is Diet Soda Better With Alcohol?

We absorb alcohol more rapidly from diet soda mix due to its fast transit through the stomach. A recent study found that participants tested for alcohol effects are actually made to feel less drunk by sugar in a mixed drink.

Is It Ok To Drink Beer Everyday?

It is recommended for people who drink alcohol to have one alcoholic drink daily or to consume alcohol three to four days a week at the very least. Don’t consume drinks per day. If you drink more than two drinks each day, you may increase your risk of dying from heart disease or overall death.

Is A Beer A Day A Problem?

For women, an appropriate amount of drinking is considered moderate or low-risk if they do not exceed three drinks a day or seven per week according to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. A maximum of four drinks a day is allowed for men and no more than 14 drinks per week is allowed for women.

Is It Healthy To Drink 12 Beers A Day?

A woman with an alcohol consumption over eight drinks a week and a man with an alcohol consumption over fifteen drinks a week is considered overweight. There is an association between drinking 12 beers in a day and binge drinking and excessive drinking, which is short- and long-term.

Is It Bad To Have One Drink A Day?

With moderate drinking, the health benefits outweigh the risks clearly. It is today generally considered unhealthy for men to consume more than two drinks a day, and unhealthy for women to consume one drink a day.

How do you know what body shape you are?

Knowing your body type can be helpful for choosing clothing that will accent your best features. It’s easy to determine your body type with nothing more than a tape measure. Start by taking measurements of your bust, waist, and hips. Then, use this information to determine which body type best describes your measurements. No matter what your body type, remember that bodies come in many shapes and sizes and all bodies are beautiful!

Part

Taking Your Measurements

Remove your clothing or wear a camisole and pair of underwear. To get accurate measurements, it helps to have little to no clothing on. Strip down to your underwear if you’re able, or put on something light and form-fitting, such as a tank top and a pair of leggings.[1]

You may also find it helpful to look in a mirror while you take your measurements. This will help you to determine if you’re positioning the measuring tape properly.

Measure around the fullest part of your chest. Use a soft, flexible measuring tape to take all of the measurements in inches or centimeters. Wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your bust, which is usually the area of your chest that's level with your nipples. Keep the measuring tape snug around your chest, but don’t pull it so tight that you’re squeezing your breasts or chest. Check the measurement and record it.[2]

Some people also take the shoulder measurement into account when determining their body type, but it's optional. If your shoulders are wider than your bust, waist, and hips, you might be you might be an inverted triangle type.[3] Take a shoulder measurement to help you determine if you are.[4]

Tip: If you find it hard to position the measuring tape, ask a friend to help by taking these measurements for you.

Locate the smallest part of your waist and measure it. This is usually just below your ribs and about 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) above your belly button. Wrap the measuring tape around this part of your body and record the measurement in inches or centimeters.[5]

Make sure that the measuring tape is not too tight. Check to ensure that it’s snug, but that you can still fit 1 finger in between the measuring tape and your skin.

Identify the widest part of your hips and measure them. This is usually at the level of your crotch. Wrap the measuring tape around your hips at this point and record the measurement in inches or centimeters.[6]

Part

Identifying the Shape of Your Body

Image titled Determine Your Body Shape Step 5

Compare the 3 measurements to determine which is the largest and smallest. Rank your bust, hip, and waist measurements from largest to smallest to help you visualize the shape of your body. However, if the difference between 2 measurements is 1 in (2.5 cm) or less, consider them equal.[7]

For example, if your bust was 34 in (86 cm), your waist was 38 in (97 cm), and your hips were 48 in (120 cm), then your hips were the largest and your bust was the smallest measurement.

You may have a couple of measurements that are very close or even equal. Note this as well since it will affect your body type. For example, if your bust was 38 in (97 cm) and your hips were 39 in (99 cm), but your waist was 42 in (110 cm), then your bust and hips are about equal and your waist is the largest measurement.

Tip: You might even notice a distinct silhouette in the mirror while taking your measurements. Consider what shape might fit easily over your chest, waist, and hips when you face yourself in the mirror.

Identify yourself as a pear-shape if your bust and waist are smaller than your hips. If your hips are the largest of the 3 measurements, and your bust and waist are equal in size or if your bust is smaller than your waist, you’re a pear shape. This is also known as a triangle shape and it’s a very common body type.[8]

For example, if your bust is 32 in (81 cm), your waist is 34 in (86 cm), and your hips are 40 in (100 cm), then you’re a pear shape.

See if you’re an inverted triangle if your bust is larger than your waist and hips. This shape is the opposite of the pear or triangle shape. In an inverted triangle, the chest and/or shoulders are wider than the waist and hips. This is a common body type for athletic men and women, but some people may naturally have this body type.[9]

For example, if your bust is 40 in (100 cm), your waist is 36 in (91 cm), and your hips are 35 in (89 cm), then you’re an inverted triangle shape.

Call yourself a square if your bust, waist, and hips are all about the same size. If there’s no more than a 2 in (5.1 cm) difference between your bust, waist, and hips, then you’re likely a square shape. This is a common shape for people who are athletic and for young girls. However, some people naturally have this shape.[10]

For example, if your bust is 36 in (91 cm), your waist is 35 in (89 cm), and your hips are 37 in (94 cm), then you’re a square shape.

Know that you’re apple shaped if your waist is wider than your bust and hips. If your waist is 2 in (5.1 cm) larger than your hips and bust, you may be an apple shape. Some people with apple-shaped bodies have slim hips and slender legs as well. If you’re a woman, you might also have a full bust.[11]

For example, if your bust is 42 in (110 cm), your waist is 48 in (120 cm), and your hips are 40 in (100 cm), then you’re an apple shape.

Identify yourself as an hourglass if your waist is smaller than your bust and hips. Hourglass shapes usually have bust and hip measurements that are about the same size, and their waist measurement is noticeably smaller than the bust and hip. This creates a noticeable curving silhouette going from the bust to the waist and hips.[12]

For example, if your bust is 38 in (97 cm), your waist is 30 in (76 cm), and your hips are 40 in (100 cm), then you’re an hourglass shape.

Image titled Determine Your Body Shape Step 11

Draw a shape that represents your measurements if you’re unsure. If you’re having trouble determining your shape, try creating a scaled down drawing of your silhouette. Draw 3 parallel lines on a piece of paper that are each 1/10th of the size of your measurements. Space them so that the lines are each 2 in (5.1 cm) apart. Then, connect the edges of the lines to see what shape they create.

For example, if your measurements were 32 in (81 cm), 36 in (91 cm), and 44 in (110 cm), then your lines would be 3.2 in (8.1 cm), 3.6 in (9.1 cm), and 4.4 in (11 cm). Connecting the ends of these 3 lines creates a pear or triangle shape.

Why do people put coke in their body bottles?

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QUESTION:

How did the Coca-Cola bottle get its contour shape?

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To avoid confusion with copycat brands, The Coca-Cola Company asked the Root Glass Company in Terra Haute, Indiana, to create a package that was “so distinctive that it could be recognized by touch alone and so unique it could be identified when shattered on the ground.”

The result was the iconic Coca-Cola bottle inspired by the curves and grooves of the gourd-shaped cocoa bean, an ingredient the designers originally thought was in the product.

One of the most famous shapes in the world is the iconic contour fluted lines of the Coca-Cola bottle. Renowned as a design classic and described by noted industrial designer, Raymond Loewy as the “perfect liquid wrapper,” the bottle has been celebrated in art, music and advertising.

How can I lose my lower belly fat in 2 weeks?

Losing weight in general is hard, but dropping belly fat in particular can feel insurmountable—especially if you’re in a hurry to get a more trim midsection. Cue you, Googling, “how to lose belly fat in two weeks” to try to find answers.

While you should never feel pressured to lose weight, it’s a worthy goal to lose belly fat because it’s “unfortunately the most dangerous location to store fat,” says Lawrence Cheskin, M.D., chair of the department of nutrition and food studies at George Mason University and associate professor of health, behavior & society at Johns Hopkins University. Because belly fat—also known as visceral fat, or the deep abdominal fat that surrounds your organs—is more temporary, it circulates throughout the bloodstream more regularly and is therefore likelier to raise the amount of fat in your blood, increasing your blood sugar levels and putting you at a greater risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Hey, Let's Talk About Why You Want to Lose Weight

Okay, you get the point: belly fat = bad. But how do you lose it? You have to think beyond crunches and planks and adopt a well-rounded approach. “It’s got to be more losing fat as a whole,” agrees Chris Gagliardi, a certified personal trainer at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Without further ado, here are the best ways to lose belly fat once and for all.

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Why does belly fat usually form?

Weight gain as a whole is a little complicated but “belly fat typically forms from consuming too many calories, which causes weight gain,” says Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet. That said, you really can’t control where fat accumulates in your body. “We have practically no control on where that weight goes,” Gans says. “It usually ends up on our belly or hips and thighs based on one’s genetics, sex, and/or age.”

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Gaining weight quickly raises the odds that you’ll develop more belly fat, says Jessica Cording, R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers. “But different body types are more prone to storing fat tissue around the midsection,” she says.

Certain other factors, like not getting enough sleep or being stressed out can also raise your risk of developing more belly fat, Cording says. “Higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol has been shown to promote more accumulation of fat tissue around the midsection,” she explains.

OK, so what can you do to lose belly fat?

Here’s the thing: Just like there’s only so much you can control about where you gain body fat, it’s equally tricky to dictate where you’ll lose it from.

“It’s essentially impossible to tell one specific region of your body to accelerate fat metabolism,” says Chris DiVecchio, a NASM-certified personal trainer and author of The 5 x 2 Method: Revealing the Power of Your Senses.

“It doesn't mean that if you develop belly fat that you will be stuck with it forever,” Cording says. “But you don’t get to pick where you lose excess weight.” Still, if you want to lose belly fat, you usually need to focus on all-over weight loss methods to help drop weight around your midsection, she says.

How to lose belly fat in two weeks

Weight loss—and sustainable weight loss in particular—is usually a process that takes time, Cording points out. But there are some things you can do to speed up the process.

1. Accept that your behaviors will adjust.

A big part of weight loss is simply being aware of the decisions you’re making. For example, when out at happy hour with friends, you may lose track of how much you're eating or drinking. But if you take a split second to step back and become aware of that fact, you’re able to course correct. “The awareness and then planning for what else I can be doing, that might give me the same benefit of eating comfort foods,” says Gagliardi.

2. Track your calories.

The most basic approach to weight loss is burning more calories than you consume. For instance, since 3,500 calories equals one pound of fat, a weight loss app—or even just a pen and paper—can help you decide how many calories you need to cut from your diet or burn at the gym in order to meet your goals. “If you were to burn 500 more calories per day seven days a week, that would lead to 3,500 calories in a week and one pound of weight loss,” says Gagliardi.

BEAT BELLY FAT

15 Best Flat Belly Food Swaps

15 Easy Exercises to Burn Belly Fat

An easy way to help you figure out what you need to hit your goal is to look at the National Institutes of Health’s Body Weight Planner. This online tool asks you to you enter in information about your current weight and activity level, along with what your weight loss goals are and how much time you want to spend reaching them. From there, it will give you an estimated amount of calories you should strive to eat each day. While it won’t tell you exactly how to lose that weight off your belly, it can still help guide you overall.

If you're not up for crunching numbers every day, you can take a more generalized approach. “For some people, it’s knowing, ‘Typically I eat a whole sandwich,’” says Gagliardi. “Now, I’m going to eat half a sandwich at lunch and save the other half for my dinner and cut my calories in half.” To get started, consider these 25 ways to cut 500 calories a day.

3. Eat more fiber.

Foods that are high in refined carbs and sugar don’t actually tame your hunger, so you end up reaching for more. Instead, eat more fibrous foods like whole grain breads, oats, vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, and chia seeds. “They fill you up more,” says Dr. Cheskin, as fiber helps slow your digestion.

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A 2015 study from the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that for those who have a hard time following a strict diet, simplifying the weight loss approach by just increasing fiber intake can still lead to weight loss. Women should aim for at least 25 grams of fiber per day (based on a 2,000-calorie) diet, according to the most recent U.S. Dietary Guidelines. Start with our high-fiber diet plan.

4. Walk every day.

If you don’t have an established exercise routine, “walking is a pretty good entry point for people,” says Gagliardi. One small study published in The Journal of Exercise Nutrition & Biochemistry found that obese women who did a walking program for 50 to 70 minutes three days per week for 12 weeks significantly slashed their visceral fat compared to a sedentary control group.

“Even if your starting point is a one-minute walk, if that’s more than what you’ve been doing, there’s health benefits to that,” says Gagliardi. One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is that they try to do too much too soon and get burnt out.

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“Starting slow and working your way up is better than overdoing it and giving up,” says Gagliardi. An easy way to approach it: Commit to going for a quick, 10-minute walk after dinner, and slowly increase the time as you become more comfortable with daily movement.

5. Begin strength training.

It’s important to do full-body strength training if you want to lose belly fat—especially if you’re trying to keep it off for the long haul. “Strength training should be a part of just about everybody’s exercise plan,” says Dr. Cheskin. That’s because strength training helps you build muscle, which will replace body fat. And because muscle is metabolically active, you'll continue to burn calories after working out, thereby, reducing overall body fat. Bonus: When your metabolic rate becomes faster due to muscle growth, you’ll have a little more wiggle room in your diet if that’s something you struggle with, says Dr. Cheskin.

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To get started, lift weights at least two days per week and work up from there, says Gagliardi. “One way to think of it is that you are building up to supporting your long-term goals,” he explains.

For example, maybe you want to be able to do certain movements, like a deadlift or bench press, and work your way up to more reps of those exercises—or maybe it’s as simple as wanting to improve your activities in daily living, like more easily lifting groceries.

6. Embrace healthy fats.

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Adding healthy fats, in the form of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, can help you feel more satisfied with your meals. Yasi Ansari, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., national medial spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says, "Fat sources that I recommend boosting in the diet come from unsaturated fatty acids found in foods like olive oil, nuts, avocados, fatty fish, and eggs, as they can help increase satiety while providing a variety of health benefits when consumed in moderation." You can increase your intake of healthy fats by adding some chopped avocado into your salads, enjoying wild salmon twice a week, and having a little peanut butter with your post-workout snack or smoothie. Just remember to enjoy them in moderation as they're still very calorie-dense, Ansari says.

7. Load up on protein.

There’s a reason everyone harps on about protein: Not only does it help keep you full, but it’s also responsible for repairing the tiny tears caused by strength training in your muscles. This helps them grow bigger and stronger, nudging out body fat in the process. As a general rule of thumb, aim to get at least 70 grams of protein throughout the day, says Dr. Cheskin.

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This is especially important before you exercise. We’re all guilty of going hard at the gym, and then heading straight to Chipotle afterward because we’re super hungry. The result? You eat more calories than you burn and end up with excess belly fat.

To avoid feeling hungry after a workout, eat a snack with at least 12 grams of protein before exercising, says Dr. Cheskin. And if you’re still hungry afterward? First, check in with yourself and make sure it’s actual hunger and not dehydration, says Dr. Cheskin. Then, eat a protein-rich snack that also includes some carbs, like a protein bar with whole grains.

8. Okay, now you can do some crunches.

Although you can’t spot reduce fat, you can target building lean muscle tissue, which in turn helps burn fat. “There are literally dozens of muscles between your shoulders and your hips that are involved in every movement you do,” says DiVecchio. “The fastest way to create a lean midsection begins with choosing the right moves.”

Aim to do ab work three or four times a week on non-consecutive days with at least 24 hours of rest in between sessions, says Gagliardi. During those sessions, you can start with simpler moves like crunches, bicycle crunches, and planks. Even though you may only be directly targeting your abs three or four times a week, you should still be activating your core (aka, tightening your ab muscles) in every workout you do, says Gagliardi.

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There are tons of different ab workouts you can do right in your home. Once you’re comfortable in an ab routine, work your way up to more complex ab exercises, like side-to-side med ball slams and weighted Russian twists, says DiVecchio.

9. Try to limit your stress.

Stress can mess with every part of your body—but how you deal with it can make or break your weight loss goals. “I think most of the effect of stress is behavioral rather than neurochemical,” says Dr. Cheskin. “It makes us eat more, because we use food as a substitute for dealing with stress.”

The truth is, eating food to make yourself feel better is usually a whole lot easier than actually facing the stress head-on. “People gravitate toward something that doesn’t require anybody else to do it, is immediately satisfying, and doesn’t take a whole lot of effort, especially if you’re just opening up a package or box,” says Dr. Cheskin.

Stress-eating can only lead to one thing: growing your belly rather than whittling it. If you find yourself stress eating, take a step back and think: What’s causing my stress, and what can I do about it? Find a way to remedy the solution or talk through it with a therapist rather than turning to a bag of Doritos.

10. Prioritize quality sleep.

Sleep is huge when it comes to your weight loss success—and that’s both if you sleep too much or too little. “Sleeping too much is probably not great for you healthwise,” says Dr. Cheskin. “But sleeping too little is worse.”

Case in point: One 2017 review and meta-analysis from the U.K. found that people who slept 5.5 hours or less per night ate an extra 385 calories the day after compared to those who snoozed for at least seven to 12 hours. On top of that, they preferred to munch on fatty foods full of empty calories, like chips.

SLEEP DIARIES

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If you’re only getting a minimal amount of sleep each night, that leaves more time for you to snack and make otherwise unhealthy decisions that could affect your weight loss. Although it will vary from person to person on how much sleep you actually need to be most effective (and therefore make progress toward your weight loss goals), the ideal number is typically seven or eight hours, says Dr. Cheskin.

11. Drink less alcohol.

To lose weight, you simply have to consume fewer calories—but that can be tough when feelings of hunger start creeping in. One good plan of attack? Ditch the empty calories that don’t serve your goals so you can make more room for the foods that do. This includes all sugary drinks, like soda, but alcohol is a big one.

Ansari says alcohol can prevent weight loss in several ways, including the fact that heavy alcohol intake can stimulate food intake. “Binge drinking can overload the liver. The liver then prioritizes processing alcohol over other nutrients and then stores the protein, carbs, and fat as fat in the body,” Ansari explains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines binge drinking as having five or more drinks for men, and four or more drinks for women in two hours. “Also, alcoholic beverages are often mixed with sugar-rich beverages. Drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol can cause calories to add up quickly,” she says.

Research also finds that drinking frequently—even if it’s a moderate amount—can set you up for excess pudge. Not only do the beverages themselves contain unnecessary calories, but once you start sipping too much, your inhibition also plummets, according to one 2016 study. The result? You’ll have a hard time resisting that late-night slice of pizza. So if you're going to imbibe, stick to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks for men. (Order one of these lowest-calorie alcoholic drinks.)

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12. Cook more often.

Spending more time in the kitchen can help you shed belly fat, as long as you’re cooking with the right foods, according to a 2017 study. After analyzing data from more than 11,000 men and women, U.K. researchers found that people who ate more than five homemade meals per week were 28 percent less likely to have a high body mass index, and 24 percent less likely to carry too much body fat than those whole only downed three meals at home.

The researchers explain that people who cook their own meals may simply have other good-for-you habits, like exercising more. However, they also concluded that home cooks ate more fruits and vegetables (along with a wider variety of foods), have healthier methods of prepping their food, and splurge less on foods high in calories and sugar. Consider any of the healthy eating books below to get started.

13. Avoid sugary foods.

Research has found a link between eating a lot of sugar and having higher amounts of belly fat. “Added sugar is a very large contributor of excess calories,” says Cording. “If you’re not replacing it with other sources of calories, it can help contribute to a healthy calorie deficit—and that will help you lose weight.”

Having too much sugar can also cause spikes and crashes in your blood glucose levels, Cording says. And, when you have those crashes, it can make you feel tired and hungry, raising the risk that you’ll overeat.

14. Skip processed foods.

Processed foods cause a lot of the same issues with weight loss as sugar in that they can lead to excess calories, Cording says. “A lot of packaged foods have been shown to contribute to bodily inflammation, which is a big driver of belly fat,” she adds.

She recommends trying to have as many whole foods as possible and keeping processed foods to a minimum.

15. Cut back on simple carbs.

Simple carbs like those found in breakfast cereal, white bread, and cookies, convert into sugar in your body, and that can mess with your blood sugar balance and contribute to bodily inflammation, Cording says. “If your blood sugar is all over the place because you’re eating too many simple carbs, that can play a role in the formation of belly fat,” she says.

16. Take a pass on sodas and juices.

Sodas and juices can be sneaky sources of calories, Gans says, and they don’t fill you up. “If you cut back on your source of excess calories, wherever they may be coming from, that will help you lose weight,” she says. While most people are aware that sodas are often liquid sugar, juices tend to have a health halo that isn’t accurate, Cording says. “When you drink juice, it doesn’t have the same fiber as you’d get by actually eating a piece of fruit that will slow down digestion,” she explains. “It hits the bloodstream really quickly and you can have a blood sugar crash afterward.” Weeding out these drinks from your diet will help cut out these excess calorie sources and regulate your blood sugar, she says.

Why is my stomach not getting flat?

Pilates exercises are great for toning and strengthening the abs, so if you have been doing your Pilates properly and your belly is still sticking out, you might be tempted to quit and head for the couch. Before you do, take heart.

While having a "flat belly" is something a lot of people desire, no one has a perfect midsection. Age and DNA have a lot to do with how your body fat is distributed, and often they send it straight for the belly. You might have six-pack abs, just hidden under a layer of fat that is tough to get rid of—and that's perfectly OK.

What's more, strengthening your core through Pilates has many benefits beyond creating killer abs: It can prevent poor posture, protect your back from injury, and improve your workout performance.1

So how do you make sure that you're getting the core-strengthening benefits of Pilates? Here are a few key questions to ask yourself as you begin your workout routine.

1:22

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Am I Engaging My Core Correctly?

Many people learn to do sit-ups and crunches in a way that shortens the rectus abdominis muscle, making it stick out out at your middle instead of creating long, flexible muscles. If you do Pilates exercise in the same way, you won't achieve core strength and long, lean ab muscles.

If you think this might be your problem, work on correcting your form and engaging all your abdominal muscles, as well as the lats, paraspinal muscles, hip flexors, and glutes, to keep your spine safe and stable. Hint: Picture “zipping up” your abs—bringing your navel up and toward your spine.

What It Really Means to Engage Your Core

Am I Using Too Much Momentum?

To get the maximum core benefits, it's important to move with control during Pilates exercise. For example, in the roll over, you need to use your muscles, not momentum, to raise and lower your legs. Similarly, in the seal, you need to deepen the lower abs to go backward and come back up by working the abs and breath, not by throwing your legs up by pulling up with your back.

Is My Workout Well-Rounded?

In order to get flat abs, you need to burn fat by exercising your entire body and eating fewer calories. Also, since weight loss happens all over the body, you need to keep your workouts balanced. Spot reduction is a myth; no matter how much you work your abs, you won't get a flat belly unless you lose fat everywhere.

Varying your workouts, including scheduling rest days for your abs, is the best way to ensure your workouts are well-rounded.

Am I Eating the Right Pre-Workout Snack?

There is a fine line between eating recently enough to have steady energy for a workout and being too full. You can't have eaten too much and get a great scoop on the abs.

What should you eat before Pilates? The shortest answer is that many people depend on a small snack to fuel their workout, something with a little protein, healthy fat, or complex carbohydrate, like a handful of nuts or a protein smoothies. But you don't want to consume more energy than you need.

Of course, you have to be the judge of the actual exertion level of your workouts and what you really need. In general, however, it's best to eat your snack not too long before a workout, along with eating healthfully throughout the day.

Eating Before and After Pilates

Are There Other Causes for Abdominal Bloating?

Retaining water can make you look and feel bloated. The amount of water your cells retain has a lot to do with the balance of sodium and potassium in your body fluids. Gas can make you bloated, too.

Common causes of abdominal bloating include:

Too much salt (sodium) in your diet

Fluctuating hormones (PMS, for example, is famous for causing water retention)

Digestive problems like constipation or gas

Food intolerances

Even if you are retaining water, it is still important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Drinking enough water will help your body balance minerals like sodium and potassium and maintain your blood pressure.2

A Word From Verywell

Even if you don't get a six-pack, you're still getting stronger—and that's a big win. By focusing less on having a perfect midsection and more on perfecting your form, you'll reap the core-strengthening benefits of Pilates in no time.

If you’re trying to lose weight, it may sometimes seem like a time-consuming process.

In fact, it often takes weeks, months, or even years to achieve your long-term weight loss goals.

For this reason, you may wonder whether there are ways you can lose weight more rapidly.

This article takes a closer look at the research to determine whether it’s possible to lose a pound (0.5 kg) per day.

Igor Alecsander/Getty Images

Is it possible to lose a pound per day?

Losing weight requires you to consume fewer calories than you use throughout the day.

This can involve reducing your food intake or adding more exercise to your routine via activities like running, walking, or biking (1Trusted Source).

To lose 1 pound (0.5 kg) of body fat, you’ll need to create a calorie deficit (2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source, 4Trusted SourceTrusted Source).

Most men and women generally require 2,000–2,500 calories per day to maintain their weight. Your daily calorie needs depend on factors like your age, size, and activity level (1Trusted Source).

Meanwhile, scientists estimate that a 160-pound (72.5-kg) person burns an average of 15.1 calories per minute running, or approximately 906 calories per hour (5).

Using these figures, a 160-pound (72.5-kg) woman consuming 1,500 calories per day would likely have to run for over 3 hours to burn enough calories to lose a pound (0.5 kg) in 1 day.

Keep in mind that rapid weight loss may be more attainable for people with a very high body weight because a higher body weight can increase the number of calories your body burns throughout the day (1Trusted Source).

Still, while it may be possible to lose a pound (0.5 kg) of body fat per day, it would require you to drastically limit your food intake and increase your physical activity.

Extreme calorie restriction and overexercising are not safe or recommended by health professionals. Although these methods may result in quick, short-term weight loss, they’re not sustainable and may harm your health.

SUMMARY

You need achieve a calorie deficit to lose 1 pound (0.5 kg) of body weight. Although it may be possible to lose 1 pound (0.5 kg) per day, it would require you to limit your food intake quite a bit and significantly increase your activity levels.

Body fat vs. water weight

Although losing 1 pound (0.5 kg) of body weight may be difficult, losing 1 pound (0.5 kg) of water weight per day is much more realistic.

The term “water weight” refers to water that your body stores in its tissues.

Several factors can cause water retention, including changes in hormone levels, increased salt intake, and certain medical conditions (6Trusted SourceTrusted Source, 7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

Additionally, glycogen, the storage form of carbs found in your liver and muscles, binds with water. Each gram of glycogen in your body is stored with at least 3 grams of water (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).

Because your body can use glycogen as a quick energy source, cutting back on your intake of carbs or adding more physical activity to your routine can deplete your glycogen stores (11Trusted Source).

For this reason, when you lose weight very quickly after starting a new diet or exercise regimen, it’s typically water weight that you’re losing rather than body fat.

SUMMARY

While losing 1 pound (0.5 kg) of body fat per day may be challenging, starting a new diet or exercise regimen can cause you to lose water weight very quickly.

Is it safe to lose a pound a day?

Generally, experts recommend losing around 1–2 pounds (0.5–0.9 kg) per week, which may involve reducing your calorie intake by around 500–1,000 calories per day (12Trusted Source).

However, losing 1 pound (0.5 kg) per day would likely require you to limit your intake even more.

Decreasing your food intake too much can not only make it much more difficult to meet your nutritional needs but also be associated with several adverse health effects.

In fact, very low calorie diets have been associated with several serious side effects, including nausea, dizziness, and fatigue (13Trusted Source).

Furthermore, severely restricting your food intake may make it more difficult to maintain weight loss over the long term.

This is because rapid weight loss can reduce your resting metabolic rate, which is the number of calories you burn during the day (14Trusted Source).

Calorie restriction can also alter the levels of several key hormones that regulate hunger and appetite, including leptin and ghrelin (15Trusted Source).

Additionally, although moderate exercise can be beneficial, engaging in excessive exercise in an effort to burn enough calories to lose 1 pound (0.5 kg) per day may be harmful.

According to some studies, excessive exercise could negatively affect heart health, reduce immune function, and increase your risk of injury (16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

Therefore, aiming to lose 1 pound (0.5 kg) per day may be unsustainable, unrealistic, and potentially dangerous.

SUMMARY

Losing 1 pound (0.5 kg) per day involves drastically reducing your calorie intake and increasing your physical activity. Very low calorie diets and excessive exercise may both be unhealthy and unsustainable.

Tips for weight loss

Although it may not be healthy or safe for most people to lose 1 pound (0.5 kg) per day, several strategies can help you achieve safe and effective long-term weight loss.

Here are a few simple tips for sustainable weight loss:

Drink more water. Drinking plenty of water can not only help keep you hydrated to promote a healthy fluid balance but also enhance feelings of fullness and increase weight loss (20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).

Reduce your intake of processed foods. Studies show that regularly eating processed foods could be linked to a higher risk of weight gain and obesity (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).

Consume more protein. According to some research, eating more protein-rich foods could help support appetite control, decrease food cravings, and increase feelings of fullness (25Trusted Source).

Add cardio to your routine. Most healthy adults should aim for 150–300 minutes of moderate intensity exercise or 75–150 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week to promote weight loss and good overall health (26Trusted Source).

Eat more fiber-rich foods. Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are high in fiber, which can slow stomach emptying, thus helping curb cravings and boosting weight loss (27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

There are several strategies you can use to achieve long-term weight loss, including drinking more water, modifying your diet, and adding more cardio to your routine.

The bottom line

Although it may be theoretically possible, losing 1 pound (0.5 kg) of body fat per day would require you to significantly increase your physical activity and limit your food intake.

Excessive exercise and very low calorie diets are associated with several serious side effects and may make it more difficult to lose weight in the long run.

Therefore, aiming for around 1–2 pounds (0.5–0.9 kg) of weight loss per week by making changes to your diet and lifestyle may be more realistic, sustainable, and healthy over the long term.

How can I shrink my stomach?

“Shrink your stomach” is a phrase that sounds custom-made for the latest magazine headline. While the idea is an interesting one, there isn’t a way — outside of surgery — to change your stomach’s size through lifestyle measures.

Keep reading to find out just how big your stomach is and how eating less may not “shrink” your stomach, but could “shrink” your appetite.

Is it possible to shrink your stomach?

The stomach is a little like a balloon — it stretches to fill when you eat and drink, and goes back to its regular size when emptied.

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Most adults have roughly the same size stomach, even though people can weigh different amounts. Your empty stomach is about 12 inches long by 6 inches across at its widest point. As an adult, your stomach can expand to hold about 1 quart of food.

When you stretch your stomach with a lot of food, it doesn’t stay that way or stretch out. It simply goes back to its previous size once it digests your food.

Your stomach is constantly expanding and shrinking to accommodate your food. You can’t consistently change its physical size by eating differently or in really small amounts.

For example, not eating won’t cause your stomach to shrink over time. And eating small amounts of food won’t “shrink your stomach” either. The only way you can physically and permanently reduce your stomach’s size is to have surgery.

You can lose overall body fat over time by eating healthy food choices, but that won’t change your stomach size. It’s possible that when people think about shrinking the stomach to lose weight, they’re talking about how stomach stretching affects appetite cues.

Let’s explore this concept in greater detail.

How does stomach size affect appetite?

Your stomach and brain regulate your appetite in a number of ways. One of them is through messages transmitted via nerves when your stomach stretches a certain amount. An example is the vagus nerve, the major nerve that provides sensations to the stomach and transmits messages to the brain.

The vagus nerve has different monitoring nerve cells that send messages to the brain about how full the stomach is as well as what kinds of nutrients are present. When the stomach is stretched full with food, the vagus nerve sends signals to the brain to tell you it’s time to slow down or stop eating.

While it’s not possible to shrink your stomach, it is possible to change how your stomach adjusts to hunger and feelings of fullness. Researchers have foundTrusted Source that over time, you can become accustomed to feeling fuller with smaller amounts of food.

While it’s not possible to shrink your stomach, it’s possible to change how your stomach adjusts to hunger and feelings of fullness.

On the flip side, it’s possible that when the stomach is empty, the nerves in your stomach can send messages to your brain. This can influence hormones in your body, such as ghrelin. Doctors call this the “hunger hormone” because it stimulates hunger.

Stomach size alone isn’t what affects hunger. Factors like low blood sugar, the thought or smell of foods, and much more also have an impact. All of these play a factor in your appetite.

Controlling your appetite is a more effective way to help you maintain a healthy weight than trying to “shrink your stomach.”

What’s the best way to reduce your appetite?

Ghrelin is a hormone that can work against you when you’re trying to maintain a healthy weight. Studies have foundTrusted Source that ghrelin increases when you lose weight as a means to maintain balance in your body.

But hope isn’t lost — there are scientifically proven ways to help control your appetite. These include:

Eat several small meals per day instead of larger ones. This can “train” your stomach over time to increase feelings of satisfaction and fullness with smaller meals. This habit will also help keep your blood sugar levels steady, reducing strong cravings for sweets or carbohydrates.

Drink waterTrusted Source before you eat a meal. This can help to stretch the stomach and start to increase feelings of fullness before you eat.

Eat a diet that includes a lot of healthy food options. This includes lean proteins and healthy fat sources, like nuts and avocados. The cells in your stomach lining recognize these as being beneficial to your body, making it less likely your hunger hormones like ghrelin will increase.

Wait 10 to 15 minutes when you get a craving to eat. Sometimes, taking more time before giving in to a craving is all you need to help it go away.

Appetite isn’t all bad. It does signal when it’s time for you to eat. But if you have trouble controlling your appetite and frequently eat too much, consider talking to your doctor.

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The takeaway

Aside from surgery, you can’t shrink your actual stomach organ. You can, however, lose body fat in general. This is an excellent health goal since having too much fat in your body can lead to numerous health problems. Excess body fat also increases the risk of developing several types of cancer.

Visceral fat is a major risk factorTrusted Source for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions. This type of fat is found around the organs in your abdomen (belly).

You can help control your appetite by eating smaller meals and making healthy food choices. If you’re having a hard time managing your appetite, talk to a doctor or dietician. They can help you come up with a plan that’s tailored to your needs and health conditions.

What is the healthiest soda?

Instead of quitting cold turkey when it comes to breaking free of your soda habit, maybe it's time you start sipping on some healthy sugar-free soda. You probably never thought you'd see the words "healthy" and "soda" together, but that's because we aren't talking about cola, root beer, or any other sugary-sweet cans.

According to a report by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, one serving of soda per day can raise your heart disease risk by 35 percent. And don't even try replacing them with the diet versions, which are filled with equally harmful artificial sweeteners that can cause your body to hold on to fat and disrupt your gut microbiome, which is important for keeping your digestion running smoothly, your immune system at its best, your hunger pangs even-keeled, and your mental health at its prime.

00:06 / 00:20

So no, we're not talking about your standard stuff. We're talking about brands that fall into the true definition of soda: carbonated water. That means healthy soda does exist; it's just been hiding this whole time in sparkling waters, seltzers, and club sodas. These can be just as tasty as the pop you love to crack open, but with far less sugar and calories.

Not convinced yet? Take a look at the most popular sodas ranked by how toxic they are and you'll be switching over to one of these sugar-free soda brands in no time. And while you're making healthier choices, be sure to stock up on The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

1 Zevia Zero Calorie Soda, Cola

zevia zero calorie soda cola

PER 12-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Say hello to the first stevia soda! It's a good thing the parents who founded Zevia wanted healthier sodas for their kids to drink because now we have another scale-friendly option to add to our shopping list. This was the first soda brand to use stevia, combining the leaf extract with citric acid, carbonated water, and natural flavors. Don't let the word "acid" scare you; citric acid is a safe additive that's naturally found in many fruits, and all of these ingredients add up to a yummy, sometimes caffeinated, zero-calorie soda. So chug another one if you're parched — there are 14 flavors to choose from after all.

Looking for more tips? Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

2 Virgil's Zero Sugar Root Beer

virgils sugar free root beer

PER 12-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 12 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Virgil's makes all-natural versions of the sodas you love. In this no-sugar-added Root Beer, the company blends 15 roots and spices to create the familiar flavor you grew up with. The only difference? There are zero artificial sweeteners. In their place, Virgil's uses a proprietary sweetener blend of 12 grams of erythritol (why you see 12 grams of carbs on the label), along with stevia and monk fruit.

$41.95 PER 24-PACK AT AMAZON

BUY NOW

3 Reed's Zero Sugar Real Ginger Ale

reeds zero sugar ginger ale

PER 12-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 12 g carbs (0 g sugar)

When they say real, they mean real. Reed's actually uses real ginger juice to flavor this ginger ale (crazy, right?) and then sweetens it up with 12 grams of erythritol along with stevia and monk fruit extract in this certified ketogenic drink.

$42.99 PER 24-PACK AT AMAZON

BUY NOW

4 Bubly Sparkling Water, Cherry

bubly sparkling water cherry

PER 12-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Forget your cherry cola, and opt for this sugar-free soda instead. Bubly is a line of zero-calorie, zero-carb, zero sugar sparkling waters that come in 13 uniquely different fruity flavors.

$7.49 PER 18-PACK AT AMAZON

BUY NOW

5 Spindrift Lemon Sparkling Water

Spindrift lemon

PER 12-OUNCE CAN: 3 calories, 0 mg sodium, 1 g carbs (0 g sugar)

If these cute cans don't draw you in, the nutrition label sure will. While each of the 11 flavors varies slightly, all of them are low-cal and low-sugar with natural ingredients. Lemon, in particular, is our favorite flavor, and it just so happens to be sugar-free. Spindrift is the first and only sparkling water brand in America made with real fruit, which is picked from family farms, squeezed, and canned. This makes for a bubbly beverage that's slightly pulpy and totally delicious.

$17.97 PER 24-PACK AT AMAZON

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6 Poland Spring Sparkling Water, Lemon Lime

Poland spring lemon lime sparkling water

PER 12-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Letting go of your go-to Sprite might be easier than you thought with these colorful Poland Spring Sparklers cans. Not only are they zero-calorie drinks with yummy flavors like pomegranate lemonade and acai blueberry, but they'll make that hissing sound you know and love when you crack them open, which might help you forget it's not the sugary stuff you're used to. In fact, these are far from it with a nutrition panel that boasts a bunch of zeros and an ingredients list that lacks both added sugars and sweeteners.

$13.18 PER 12-PACK AT WALMART

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7 LaCroix

opening la croix can

PER 12-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

You didn't think we'd make it through our list of healthy sodas without featuring this fan favorite, did you? If you've heard the hype, you know that LaCroix is killing the sparkling water game right now with 20 flavors in trendy, colorful cans that work just as well on your Instagram account as they do in your bodies. Open up your liquor cabinet and mix up a guilt-free cocktail with one of these light and fizzy drinks, or just crack one open on its own for a yummy choice that's free of calories, sodium, sugar, and sweeteners.

$17.97 PER 14-PACK AT AMAZON

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8 Perrier

perrier

Courtesy of Perrier

PER 8.5-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

Originating in France, this brand has been stateside since the '70s and we can't imagine healthy hydration without it. Their sparkling mineral water is made up only of carbonated water and natural flavors, which is pretty incredible considering you need both hands to count the ingredients on the back of a Diet Coke can. With enough fruity flavors to compete with other popular brands, this isn't an sugar-free soda to overlook.

$18.72 PER 30-PACK AT AMAZON

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9 Q Club Superior

spectacular club soda

Amazon

PER 9-OZ BOTTLE: 0 calories, 61 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

When it comes to crafting club soda, Q Club Superior is seriously committed. Their product is dashed with Himalayan salt, which is known for its high mineral content. Sometimes simple can go a long way, so drink a bottle of Q when you've got a carbonation craving or use it as a mixer.

$35.99 PER 24-PACK AT AMAZON

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10 Polar Seltzer'ade

can of polar seltzerade

PER 12-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

When life gave Polar lemons, they made lemon seltzer'ade. While their cans come in sweet flavors like raspberry, cherry, watermelon, blueberry, and mango, there aren't any added sweeteners, sugars, or juices inside — just a refreshing, bubbly beverage. This is just another addition to the family-owned company's seltzer products, so if you're a fan of these lemonades, there's more where that came from!

Each one is made only of carbonated water and natural flavors, which means there's no need to be worried about the chemicals in your soda.

$22.20 PER 24-PACK AT AMAZON

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11 Vintage Seltzer Water

vintage seltzer products

PER 12-OZ CAN: 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g sugar)

It's time we went back to our roots, back to the good old days when every bite and every sip wasn't filling our bodies with artificial additives. That's where Vintage comes in. Their sugar-free soda water keeps healthy hydration simple with carbonated water and natural flavors that satisfy your taste buds without sacrificing your well-being. Both of these ingredients are present in a can of standard cola, but they're joined by carcinogenic caramel color and high fructose corn syrup. When we put it like that, it's clear that going Vintage means putting your best foot forward.

$18.70 PER 6-PACK AT AMAZON

BUY NOW

Olivia Tarantino

Olivia Tarantino is the Managing Editor of Eat This, Not That!, specializing in nutrition, health, and food product coverage. Read more

FILED UNDER

DIET SODAS // PRODUCT ROUND-UPS

SEE ALSO>>>Sprite vs 7Up

2 Liter Prices – Sprite vs Coke

Sprite (2 Liters) Coke (2 Liters)

Walmart $1.74 $1.74

Target $1.89 $1.89

Kroger $1.99 $1.99

H-E-B $1.92 $1.92

Safeway $2.67 $2.67

Meijer $1.67 $1.69

Albertsons $1.67 $2.29

Big Lots $1.90 not available

Giant not available $2.29

Wegmans $1.99 $1.99

12 Pack/12 fl oz Cans Prices – Sprite vs Coke

Sprite (12 Pack/12 fl oz Cans) Coke (12 Pack/12 fl oz Cans)

Walmart not available $4.98

Target $4.99 $4.99

Kroger $5.49 $5.49

H-E-B $5.43 $5.43

Safeway $4.99 $4.99

Meijer $5.49 $5.49

Albertsons $4.99 $4.99

Big Lots $5.15 $5.15

Giant $7.29 $7.29

Wegmans $5.59 $5.59

Poll: Sprite vs Coke – Pick A Favorite

Okay, Sprite and Coke are totally different sodas. However, if you had to pick a favorite, which one would you choose? Vote for the one you like best in the poll below!

How much Coke should you drink a week?

Q: I've heard so much about the dangers of drinking soda. Is it really all that bad for you? Or is it just empty calories?

You may have heard about a new study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Nutrition that found an increased risk of stroke in people who consumed more than one soda per day.

These findings are not surprising in light of the growing body of evidence linking intake of sugar sweetened beverages -- of which soda makes up the largest percentage -- and diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and high cholesterol.

Sugar sweetened beverage consumption has increased significantly over the past several decades. Recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data found that half of the U.S. population consumes at least one sugar sweetened beverage on any given day. Men consume on average 178 calories per day from sugar sweetened beverages and women consume 103 calories per day.

Of particular concern in light of the current childhood obesity epidemic is the increased use in children, especially teens and young adults. Soda often displaces more healthful items in the diet and is a warning sign of a poor quality diet.

The dangers of soda extend beyond the increase in calories, although this is likely an important contributor to weight gain and obesity. Calories consumed in liquid form do not satisfy hunger as effectively as calories consumed in solid food form, so people often consume more total calories, which can lead to weight gain.

In addition, consuming large amounts of rapidly digested sugar and high fructose corn syrup causes a spike in blood sugar and insulin, which can lead to inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which may increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer.

The large doses of fructose from both sucrose (table sugar) and high fructose corn syrup may be particularly detrimental to your health as they can cause the accumulation of metabolically toxic belly fat, cholesterol abnormalities -- including high triglycerides and reduced levels of HDL (good cholesterol) -- and nonalcoholic associated fatty liver disease.

Soda is also associated with symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, when the contents of the stomach leak back up and cause a burning sensation in the esophagus. While drinking soda is not known to cause ulcers, it can cause symptoms to flare up.

The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 450 calories from sugar sweetened beverages per week (the amount in three cans of cola).

If you are overweight or obese, or at risk for heart disease or diabetes, you should limit your intake of sugar sweetened beverages as much as possible, including soda, energy drinks, sports drinks, juice drinks and sweetened water and/or tea.

What food goes good with Coca-Cola?

When you grab that Coca-Cola beverage, do you grab a snack to enjoy with it? According to Coca-Cola, snacking often involves combining sweet and salty combinations. Even though everyone seems have been snacking more in the past year, the reality is that some flavors just taste better today. Which salty and sweet snacking flavor combination with a Coca-Cola beverage reigns supreme?

Although potentially an overstatement, snacking is universal. Whether it is watching a movie, cheering on a favorite sports team or just satisfying a hunger, the reality is that there is something satisfying about snacks.

While people tend to prefer salty or sweet snacks, the reality is that a beverage often goes with that snack. Similar to food and beverage pairings, the relationship between a snack and a beverage is important. Finding that perfect flavor combination can make the food and beverage taste even better.

How many food choices pair with this Coca-Cola beverage?

Recently, Coca-Cola commissioned a snack survey that studied how people feel about snacks and beverages, specifically sweet and salty snacks. While some hangry people might walk over a mile for that perfect sweet and salty snack combination, others just want to find that perfect flavor combination.

According to the study, Coca-Cola Vanilla is the most versatile beverage. It seems that this beverage goes with all the top snacking choices, like popcorn, pizza, French fries, cheese and crackers and even hummus and veggies. It seems that the hint of vanilla could be that comforting flavor that makes people go back for more and more.

Overall, the study looked at four Coca-Cola beverages, Coca-Coca Cherry, Coca-Cola Vanilla, Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla and Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla. While some of the flavor combinations are classics, one options is a choice that needs to be discussed.

The sometimes controversial Coca-Cola Orange Vanilla is said to pair well with potato chips. While the salty sweet flavor combination seems to make sense, the pairing might not be quite as obvious.

Even though this beverage might not have a super bright citrus flavor, the creaminess, almost dreamsicle like flavor matches well with the salty chips. In a way, the saltiness of the chips makes the beverage a little less sweet. Maybe someone has discovered a new flavor combination, salted dreamsicle.

While people will debate whether or not these flavor pairings are tasty or tired, the reality is that food and beverage pairings matter, even when snacking. The next time that you think that your chips taste tired or that soda flavor falls flat, the reality is that it might be because of the other food that you’re enjoying.

Does Coca-Cola have alcohol?

No.

Coca‑Cola’s ingredients and manufacturing processes are rigorously regulated by government and health authorities in more than 200 countries. All of them have consistently recognised Coca‑Cola as a non-alcoholic product.

Did you know? Coca‑Cola is the world’s largest non-alcoholic drinks company.

Can drinking Coke cause stomach problems?

We turn to a few health professionals about the possible health impacts of regular diet-soda consumption.

Cold soda iced drink in a glasses

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK / VINTAGE TONE

Photo: Shutterstock / Vintage Tone

There’s nothing quite like cracking open a cold can of diet soda to accompany a late-night pizza order or a piping hot plate of sesame chicken. Some days, it feels like a reward for small victories. Hours of productivity pave the way for a 2 p.m. trip to the vending machine and the bubbly stuff. But we’ve all seen the scary reports about the possible negative impacts of diet-soda consumption. In fact, if you drink diet soda around enough people, someone will start going off about how bad it is for you. Should we be discouraged from scrounging up quarters for a fizzy drink?

Research so far has been inconclusive. Many studies link low-calorie soda consumption to certain health risks, but science has yet to prove definitively that drinking diet soda causes strokes, heart attacks, vascular disease or depression, as frequently reported. This year, researchers with the long-running Framingham Heart Study published results in the American Heart Association journal Stroke, noting an association between consumption of artificially sweetened beverages and higher risks of stroke and dementia—but not cause and effect.

In this study and many others like it, reverse causality could provide a possible explanation. In other words, people who are already at great risk for disease (with pre-existing vascular disease, obesity or diabetes) made the switch from regular soda to diet soda. “[These individuals] are already at a higher risk for some of these [conditions] because of diet, lifestyle and genetics,” says Marisa Moore, a registered dietitian nutritionist.

“But there are a ton of questions,” Moore says. So while we don’t know the exact effect that artificially sweetened sodas have on our health, there are some things to be concerned about.

1. Drinking Diet Soda Can Lead to Poor Food Choices

Raise your hand if you’ve said an emphatic “yes!” to tres leches and flan after saving 400 calories by drinking the zero-calorie soda instead of sangria. A study from the University of Illinois suggests that diet beverage drinkers often compensate for saved calories by eating more nutrient-poor foods, such as cookies, ice cream, fries and pastries. Isabel Valdez, a physician’s assistant and instructor in the department of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, finds this to be true in her experience. “Sometimes people have the impression that they’re drinking a diet soda and they can still eat extra food—foods that are high in fat, sugar and calories that are not healthy. This alone won’t get them to health.”

2. It May Irritate Your Stomach

Drinking excessive amounts of diet soda can sometimes affect the lining of the stomach. “Over time, it can get irritated from the carbonation,” Valdez says. Heavy soda drinkers frequently develop indigestion, bloating and heartburn. Plus, carbonated drinks are a known trigger of acid reflux.

3. Diet Soda Can Cause Your Heart to Race

The recommended daily caffeine intake is around 400 milligrams of caffeine for most healthy adults, according to the Mayo Clinic. A can of Diet Coke has 46 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce can, according to Caffeine Informer. Diet Pepsi has 34 mg of caffeine per can. A 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke has 260 mg of caffeine. “Caffeine can increase the rate of their heart,” Valdez says. “For some people that can be troublesome, especially if they don’t realize they have a heart condition to begin with.”

4. It Changes Your Sweetness Perception

Artificial sweeteners in diet soda and other sugar-free drinks are exponentially sweeter than natural sugar. “We kind of get used to this hyper sweetness,” Moore says. “It takes away from something that’s naturally sweet, like a piece of fruit.”

5. Diet Soda Messes with Your Gut

We are getting so much new information about how gut bacteria help us regulate many things in our bodies, from our metabolism to possible hunger, Moore says. What’s more, scientists are finding more and more that the bacteria in our gut environment is a big part of the body’s microbiome—a delicate, complex ecosystem—and that too much diet soda may actually alter the digestive system’s ability to process glucose, the carbohydrate that’s our bodies’ main power source. While it’s important to remember that there has not been any definite causal link between diet soda and diabetes, high levels of consumption may lead to an increased susceptibility to disease.

6. It May Damage Teeth

“There are a couple of specific acids that are commonly used in diet soda that give it that tart, tangy flavor we find appealing,” says Edmond Hewlett, D.D.S., an American Dental Association spokesperson and professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry. Unfortunately, these acids also have the potential to erode tooth enamel over time. This probably won’t happen if you have a diet soda occasionally, Hewlett says. It’s all about the frequency and length of exposure.

If you hope to cut back on diet soda for any of these reasons or others, Moore suggests baby steps. “Whenever someone is trying to cut back on regular sodas or cut back on any type of cookies or treats, I usually recommend they take a slow approach rather than do it cold turkey, which is difficult,” she says. Tea is a smart alternative to diet soda because of the range of flavors. Or switch to sparkling water if you miss the fizziness of diet soda.

5 Bedtime Drinks That Can Help You Lose Weight

“Unpack your habit and see why you’re craving it every day,” Moore says. “Is it something sweet that you want? Is it the caffeine? Pick a substitute that would fit that need.”

Can Coca-Cola make you poop?

Japan is famous for some pretty wild foodstuffs, like cheese smoothies, cough drop-flavored Kit Kat bars, and Nicolas Cage corn puffs. So it comes as no surprise that country has welcomed Coca-Cola Plus as a health drink - because it makes you poop.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the fizzy drink contains a high-fiber substance called indigestible dextrin, which increases the body’s ability to remove waste. As a press release from Coca-Cola explains, the beverage is designed “help suppress fat absorption and help moderate the levels of triglycerides in the blood.”

The Japanese government last year gave the no-calorie beverage a gold label certifying it under the Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) designation. Each product in this category, which accounts for $6 billion in sales each year, is characterized as having a particular health benefit. Coca-Cola Plus is the nation’s third “healthy” cola.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdj3djKnJsl/?hl=en&taken-by=cocacola_japan

But some people think the healthy label is inappropriate. Michicko Kamiyama, a lawyer for Food Safety Citizens’ Watch, is concerned about the government endorsing sodas as healthful.

“If you have a well-balanced diet and do an appropriate amount of exercise then you don’t need them,” the 77-year-old told The Wall Street Journal. “I personally think it is totally ineffective.”

On the other hand, Tominaga Ozawa drinks the pop at least once a week after finishing 18 holes of golf. Even though he has his doubts, he thinks “it’s good.” But the 70-year-old prefers to drink in private, because “in Japan, your image can suffer if you say you drink cola,” he told the paper.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWwJkBBHGOp/?hl=en&taken-by=cocacola_japan

As far as side effects go, Seiji Miyata says to go easy on the guzzling.

“The only caveat we have is that if you drink too much - it is in there, that you may have loose bowels from overconsumption,” the 54-year-old art director told the paper.

We’re just going to stick with water.

To see what else Japan is snacking on, here are 10 things you can buy from a Japanese vending machine.

What happens when you drink Coke and grandpa?

Hi My friend is drinking alot of Coke and Grandpa and also suffering from Bloated Stomach. But most of all , Grand Pa She has a difficulty breathing and also complains about a neck pain that is just below the neck. She has been on Stress Releaving Pills and Injections but is not Working. But it is compilling all the muscles into a big knot. She also gets like heartburn when eating. She eats not excellent but she is eating every day. . Foor a few weeks she has been very tired and also in a way negative. I am trying to figure out what is my options to do next. I hope you can help me A very Conserned Friend.

Answer

43,869 views

Expert

CyberDoc

02 Oct 2020

The coke and grandpa could be the cause of a lot of the symptoms that she is experiencing. In the long run, the grandpa will cause either a stomach ulcer or inflammation of the stomach lining. This is dangerous and she needs to stop taking the grandpa. The coke can be causing the bloated feeling. The difficulty breathing, neck pain and muscle spasms can all be caused by stress and it seems as if she needs better treatment for the stress and anxiety. She also needs alternative ways to cope with the stress that she is experiencing, such as the help of a psychologist. Good luck and I hope your friend feels better soon.

Is there lemon in Coke?

Coca-Cola with Lemon is a soft drink brand owned by The Coca-Cola Company, launched to compete with Pepsi Twist. It is produced and distributed by The Coca-Cola Company's bottlers. Diet Coke with Lemon was introduced in the United States in 2001, and is still available as a semi sugar free version in Coca-Cola Freestyle machines.

Production and distribution

Coca-Cola Light with Lemon is still available in:

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Brazil (as limited edition for the first semester of 2017).[1]

China

Croatia (as Lemon Zero Sugar)

Denmark (as Lemon Zero Sugar)

Finland (as Lemon Zero Sugar)

France

Germany

Greece (as Lemon Zero Sugar)

Hungary (from 2018 as Lemon Zero Sugar) (and with sugar as 2022)

Iceland

Italy (from 2017)

Japan

Korea

Luxembourg

Macau

Netherlands

New Caledonia

Norway

Portugal

Reunion

Russia (as Lemon No Sugar, introduced in 2022)

Serbia (as Lemon Zero Sugar introduced in May 2019)

Singapore

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden (Returned in 2020)

Switzerland

Taiwan

Tunisia

Ukraine (2017)

West Bank Gaza

Coca-Cola Light with Lemon has been discontinued in:

Australia (returned in November 2013, and sold for limited time only, until discontinued)

Canada

Chile

Denmark (2006) (Returned in 2019 with a zero variant instead)

Finland (returned in March 2019)

Ireland

Israel

Mexico

New Zealand

United Kingdom (as Diet Coke with Lemon was discontinued in the beginning of 2006)

In July 2014, Coca-Cola with Lemon was temporarily restocked in Japan. The product went to 16,622 different stores of 7-Eleven throughout Japan. The bottle was reintroduced with new packaging, and was only on shelves until supplies lasted.[2] There are different variations of the drink, one being Coca-Cola Lemon Zero Sugar. This drink is only exclusive only to Italy. The drink is sold in a glass bottle, PET, and aluminium cans.[3]

What is Coke with lemon called?

This easy drink recipe is like an Arnold Palmer but better! My refreshing, fizzy Lemon Spezi recipe is about to become your go-to summer mocktail.

Two lemon spezis.

An Arnold Palmer with iced tea and lemonade is one of the best ways to chill out on a warm summer day. But after taking a sip on this classic German drink recipe that swaps in Coca-Cola for the tea, I don’t think I’ll ever enjoy the easy alcohol-free mixed drink any other way.

Equal parts cola and lemonade served over ice. I know it might sound a bit odd, but trust me (actually, trust the Germans!). Prepare to meet your new favorite mocktail recipe.

Table of Contents

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for lemon spezi.

Ingredient notes

Lemonade: Fresh is best (I’ll walk you through how to make homemade lemonade), but you can absolutely substitute store-bought lemonade from the bottle or carton. Or start with 12 ounces of frozen lemonade concentrate made according to package instructions.

Step by step instructions

Fill 2 glasses with ice. Pour 6 ounces lemonade into each glass.

Lemonade being poured over a glass of ice.

Divide the Coca-Cola evenly among both glasses and garnish with lemon wedges.

Coke being poured into a half filled glass of lemonade and ice.

Recipe tips and variations

Yield: My Lemon Spezi recipe makes two 12-ounce servings of the non-alcoholic drink. Multiply as needed to whet all whistles; each batch takes 1 minute. Seriously.

Switch up your citrus: It Coca-Cola with Lime is one of your favorite sodas, trade in limemade and fresh lime wedges.

Two lemon spezis.

Recipe FAQs

Wait, doesn’t the original Lemon Spezi call for Orange Fanta?

You’re correct! This is my variation on the theme, so don’t feel limited to cola. Orange soda, lemon-lime soda, or grapefruit soda would be ultra-refreshing served over ice and with an equal amount of lemonade. You are more than welcome to use diet soda if you like.

Can I drink Coke during pregnancy?

Can I drink Coca‑Cola when pregnant?

Yes. The Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant women shouldn’t take more than 200mg of caffeine a day. A can of Coca‑Cola Classic contains 32mg of caffeine and a can of Diet Coke contains 42mg.

Did you know? We offer several caffeine free soft drinks including Caffeine-Free Diet Coke, Oasis, Fanta, Lilt, Sprite, 5 Alive and of course, glacéau smartwater.

What is Coke and milk called?

Twitter calls this ingredient the new best way to enjoy a refreshing glass of Coke. The jury's still out.

Twitter is the Internet’s home for all sorts of twisted trends, starting with consuming toxic Tide Pods (which we shouldn’t even have to say is a terrible idea) and ending with—well, this. The latest edible experiment to grace your timeline is the cause of sitewide debate. Coke with milk—yes, milk—is taking over the internet.

Are you brave enough to give it a try?

How Did This Happen?

We have comedy writer James Felton to thank for introducing milk and Coke, appropriately dubbed Milk Coke, to the Internet. “Milk Coke is a real thing,” says Felton, posing proudly with this creamy concoction.

Since the tweet went live, Twitter has lost its mind, full-on warring over whether the combination is a dream or a disaster. (We can’t blame them, since we’re sort of warring with ourselves about it.) Some people are loving the idea of Milk Coke, comparing it to a Coke float.

https://twitter.com/CarlCannotTweet/status/1101450299942817792

While there are supporters, others are understandably repulsed by the concept. Mixing soda and ice cream is old news, but there’s something a little bit weird (but oddly intriguing) about this newer combo. What makes it so different from a standard Coke or root beer float? We honestly don’t know.

https://twitter.com/JohnLegere/status/1101891112812322818

Both sides represent pretty grounded arguments, which has left the Internet in turmoil. Felton, the inventor of Milk Coke, has caught plenty of flack and publicity thanks to his creation. Several news outlets have called Felton out, claiming Milk Coke is just a joke intended to be funny, but Felton is adamant that this is a real thing he actually enjoys.

We’re not sure if we’ll be adding this ingredient to a perfectly good Coke, but we’re not totally opposed to at least giving it a try. Who knows? This could open doors for all kinds of cola concoctions. Sounds like it’s time for an official Taste of Home taste test!

Can I drink Coke once a week?

Once again, sugary soft drinks are making headlines — and some soda lovers may not like what they hear.

Researches recently found evidence to suggest that there is a link between consumption of sugary soft drinks and depression. New York City has a ban on supersized drinks (which is being challenged in court).

So, is it time to give up that 32-ounce Coke and fill your cup with water instead? Or, is the occasional soft drink OK? We talked to Rebecca Ilic, RD LDN. Ilic is the clinical nutrition manager at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights. Here is an edited transcript:

Q: Why are sugary soft drinks so difficult to give up?

A: We get used to it and our bodies develop this want and need and desire to seek out that sugar.

If you are somebody who has been drinking sugary drinks (and) you are used to having that sugary drink versus water, you're going to desire to go back to that sugary drink. Our bodies kind of program to become used to having that sugary drink.

Q: How much sugar is in your average 12-ounce soda?

A: It can sometimes be up to 39 grams of sugar, which also equals about 13 teaspoons of sugar or 41/2 tablespoons of sugar.

Q: Some of us drink a couple of cans of soda a day. What can taking in that much sugar on a daily basis do to your body?

A: It depends on what else you're doing to your body. However, when we look at these empty calories you are adding to your diet, you could have that weight gain, increase in blood sugar or, if you are diabetic, you can have adverse response to the sugared beverage.

Q: OK, so regular sugary soft drinks aren't the greatest for us, but what about diet soda? Isn't that OK — especially if it helps with cravings for other sweets?

A: It's OK. There has not been a study that says sweeteners are bad for us except in large quantities — definitely over your 24-pack of diet soda a day. But if you want that brownie eat that brownie. If you think that Diet Coke might help you it might be OK that time. But you have that right to have that sweet once in a while.

Q: Some who give up soda, particularly caffeinated ones, complain of going through withdrawal-like symptoms such as headaches or mood swings. Can soda be addictive? If so, what makes it that way?

A: There is the caffeine factor and people get used to a certain amount of caffeine each day. If you have three cups of coffee a day, your body is used to that. If you cut that completely out of your diet you will see you're tired and you will have headaches.

(We suggest) cutting back in small quantities. Try cutting back one cup at a time of coffee or one can of cola.

The same thing goes for the sugary factor. If our bodies are used to having that much sugar in us and we take it all away at one time, we are going to crave it.

It should be broken down in small quantities maybe taking back 12 ounces at a time or go to a decaf version (of coffee) versus taking it completely away. Maybe half of your consumption is diet and half is sugary. Most people who eliminate everything at once fall back into having those sugary drinks again.

Q: If you give up your soda, how long do those withdrawal-type symptoms last?

AL Usually just the first few days. The best thing to do is take them back very slowly. You do get withdrawal, and it can be very challenging for some people. But, making sure that you're taking it out very gradually (will help). You will start really feeling much better — maybe even having better thought processes without all that sugar in your brain.

Q: Do I have to give soda up completely? What's acceptable here?

A: I would say no, definitely not completely. That would be hard for anyone to do. Keeping it in your diet in moderation, meaning no more than 12 ounces daily in one week. You can build it in your diet. (However), cola is considered non-nutritious beverage. It doesn't give us any energy or nutrients. It's not essential to our needs.

Q: What are some better options to soda?

A: Some better options would be having some milk, having a light version of orange juice (four ounces) or having some water then a fruit or a yogurt.

Q: Have to ask — are you a Coke or a Pepsi drinker? How many a day do you have?

A: I'm a Coke drinker and I probably have fewer than two Diet Cokes a week.

Q: How do you keep your soda habit in check?

A: I used to be somebody who drank regular Coke on a daily basis. When I started learning about nutrition and realizing just how much sugar I was getting in my diet I was really turned off by it. Now, it's water, sparkling water or it's something like Crystal Light or a noncalorie beverage. I'd rather eat my calories than drink them.

Can you get addicted to Coca-Cola?

Whether it’s at the movie theater, when you’re at a drive-thru or while sitting at your desk at work, something about having a fizzy, sweet beverage is satisfying. It can easily cure a sweet tooth or give you the burst of energy you need to finish out the day, but it can also become addicting.

What in soda makes it so addictive

Soda is addictive for many reasons. In regular sodas, the sugar causes dopamine releases in the brain, stimulating pleasure centers. For some, it’s not the ingredients that causes the addiction, but the lifestyle habit that leads you to the fridge. Soda is often chosen with certain meals, like when you’re dining out or at a fast food restaurant. But food isn’t always the cause of soda intake. Many people have made a habit of picking soda over water or other beverages for hydration.

There isn’t resounding scientific proof that any particular ingredient in soda, regular or diet, makes it addictive, but there are studies on sugar addiction.

Is regular or diet soda more addictive?

The evidence isn’t there to say that one is more addictive than the other. There are studies that point to sugar and caffeine being addictive substances.

What are the issues with being addicted to soda?

One of the main issues with soda addiction is thinking you’re addicted to soda. By believing this, you’re creating a mindset that you’re overpowered by a substance and may not have the willpower or ability to stop. But you can. To change this action, it takes a behavior change and a commitment to that change. If you think you’re unable to stop drinking soda, you should speak with your doctor, counselor or a dietitian about your barriers to making life changing decisions for better health.

Another issue is that if you are drinking sodas on a regular basis, you’re not consuming something of nutritional value that your body will benefit from.

Can you go through withdrawal from stopping drinking soda?

Like many addictive substances, you can go through withdrawal when you stop drinking soda. If you’re consuming caffeinated sodas, your greatest symptom may be headaches. Consistently taking in a stimulant then abruptly stopping will likely give you headaches and leave you feeling a bit grumpy. The Dietary Guidelines Scientific Report, last issued in 2015, recommended making gradual and sustainable changes in your dietary behavior to help limit the amount of withdrawal symptoms.

How do you break the soda habit?

Water is the first choice beverage, according to The Dietary Guidelines. While it’s not easy to just change from soda to water, there’s now a huge market for carbonated waters. If it’s the bubbles that make you think you’re drinking soda, it can give you the mouthfeel you’re looking for without the added caffeine, sugar or phosphates. Try getting yourself to a product that doesn’t have any added sugar or sugar substitutes (otherwise, sweet flavored bubbly water really isn’t much different than diet sodas).

Consider making small goals to reduce your soda intake by one unit per day each week. For example if you drink four cans of soda in a day, try to limit it to three a day for one week, then two a day for a week, until you’ve weaned down.

You can set a goal that for each ounce of soda you drink, you must also drink that much water. You may find that by drinking more water, you’re more satisfied and don’t need soda.

Addiction is a real problem and food addiction is a true condition. If you feel out of control with your food habits, you should check in with your doctor and consider behavior-based counseling with a psychologist, counselor and/or dietitian.

Natalie Stephens is a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Can I drink Coke instead of water?

It’s no secret that water is the healthiest beverage option out there—no calories, no sugar, just hydration. But while water only has positive benefits for you, soda has nothing for you. Nutrition experts not only recommend limiting your consumption of soda, but most advocate for avoiding it altogether as there are zero health benefits and several negative impacts.

Hydration: Soda vs. Water

Through the course of you day, you lose eight cups of water from your body to sweat and urination. If you don’t replace all of this water, you become susceptible to a lot of health issues. Headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and dry mouth are all possible symptoms of dehydration. Most adults don’t drink the recommended amount of water each day, and experience these symptoms often.

Soda doesn’t replace any of the water you lose—in fact, because it increases your body’s production of urine, it makes dehydration worse.

One 12 ounce soda contains 45 milligrams of caffeine—that’s double the amount of caffeine in a standard cup of coffee. If you do drink soda, try to drink one extra glass of water for each can of soda you drink in a day!

Weight Loss

An average 12 ounce soda also contains about 150 calories, and almost all of them come from sugar. So, if you drink two sodas a day for a whole month, you’ll have taken in about 5 pounds of sugar and 9,000 calories just from your beverages. Cearly, over time this will lead to weight gain and all the health problems that accompany it, like fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome. Even to a less extreme extent, you can feel sluggish and tired, impeding your daily mood and productivity.

According to a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health, diet sodas are hardly any better for you. The artificial sweeteners in them cause intense cravings for other sweet foods and drinks, and this leads to an increase in calorie and sugar intake even though the sodas don’t contribute calories themselves.

And while soda makes weight loss much more difficult, water has been proven extremely effective in promoting healthy weight. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that adults who drink a large glass of water before a meal eat about 75 calories less than those who don’t. Not to mention, water has zero calories, zero sugar, and doesn’t promote unhealthy cravings like sodas do.

Your Teeth

All the sugars and acids in soda are not kind to your teeth. The acid breaks down the enamel on your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to cavities and tooth decay. The sugar drastically increases the amount of bacteria in your mouth, and as they feed on it, they create enamel-damaging acids themselves.

All the while, water, especially tap water and special bottled water, contains fluoride which actively strengthens and protects you teeth.

Making the Change

Cutting out soda completely can be difficult—the more soda you drink, the more you crave it. So, don’t be too hard on yourself! It can take a while to wean your body off of all the sugar and caffeine. Start first by increasing your water intake without cutting down on the soda yet. You’ll feel the difference in no time. Then, once you get used to drinking more water (get ready to use the bathroom a lot) you can start cutting back on your soda drinking.

Start slow! If you drink two cans of soda a day, try drinking just one. You can also try switching to sparkling water—you’ll get the same carbonated sensation, as well as some lemon or lime flavor, without all the sugar and calories.

How often can I drink Coke?

Got a two-can-a-day habit? You're not alone. Carbonated soft drinks account for more than 28 percent of beverage consumption in the United States, according to the National Beverage Association. And this has more than doubled over the past 20 years.

Certainly, nobody should mistake soda for a health drink, but is it really all that bad? Here's the latest on soft drinks and your health.

What's in it?

Soft drinks consist mainly of water, carbon dioxide (which creates the fizz), flavoring, artificial coloring, caffeine (except caffeine-free varieties), acidulants (such as phosphoric acid, citric acid, malic acid or tartaric acid), preservatives, potassium and sodium, and, of course, sweeteners.

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A 12-ounce can of regular soda contains about 150 calories and between 40 and 50 grams of sugar (in the form of high fructose corn syrup or sucrose), equivalent to about 10 to 12 teaspoons. In diet sodas, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame K and saccharin take the place of corn syrup, but otherwise the ingredients of both the regular and diet versions are the same.

What are the issues?

Obesity: Many health experts blame the increase in non-diet soda consumption in large part for high obesity rates in the United States and the health problems associated with it, such as type 2 diabetes. With each can of regular soda providing about 150 calories, if you drank one can a day without cutting back on other calories, you could gain about 15 pounds a year. If you're trying to lose or control your weight, the National Institutes of Health recommends you quench your thirst with water, sparkling soda with a splash of fruit juice or an occasional diet soda.

Artificial sweeteners: The Food and Drug Administration has given its stamp of approval for safety to acesulfame K, aspartame, saccharin and sucralose (Splenda). According to the FDA there are no known health risks associated with moderate consumption (one or two 12-ounce servings a day). The only exception is for people with a rare genetic condition called phenylketonuria, who cannot consume aspartame. However, recent studies show that long-term consumption of artificial sweeteners can blunt our normal sugar taste receptors, leading us to crave more foods with real sugar later.

Tooth decay: Don't think your teeth are safe because you stick to diet soda. The acid in all varieties of soda (regular, diet, cola and non-cola) is even more damaging to teeth than sugar. Acid wears away and weakens tooth enamel, which in turn can lead to cavities and other forms of tooth decay. In fact, a study in the January/February 2005 issue of General Dentistry found that non-cola soft drinks, energy/sports drinks and commercial lemonade "showed the most aggressive dissolution effect on dental enamel." To minimize the damaging effects, try not to sip these types of drinks for long periods of time and rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterwards.

Caffeine dependency: Many soft drinks, including both colas and non-colas, contain caffeine. Caffeine can be addictive and acts as a stimulant, which can cause insomnia, irritability and a racing heartbeat in some people. If you have problems with caffeine and are trying to cut back, wean yourself off slowly to lessen withdrawal symptoms and avoid products that boast extra caffeine.

Weak bones: Some studies suggest that excess consumption of phosphoric acid, an ingredient in all soft drinks, can deplete the bones of calcium by preventing the nutrient from being absorbed. This is a special concern for post-menopausal women prone to osteoporosis. A contributing factor may also be that heavy soda drinkers simply don't drink enough healthy beverages, like milk, which can lead to low calcium levels.

Nutrition deficiency: Diet soft drinks may be a better substitute for regular soda in terms of avoiding added sugar and calories, but the simple fact is soda is not healthy. If you regularly choose soda over more nutritional beverages such as water, milk, 100-percent juice or even in place of a healthy snack, you may not be getting enough essential nutrients.

The bottom line

As usual, the key is moderation. Limit yourself to no more than one or two cans (a maximum of 24 ounces) of soda a day, and make sure they don't replace more nutritious foods and beverages in your diet. As long as soft drinks are not your main source of fluids and you're otherwise following a well-balanced, healthy diet, a daily fix of fizz is OK.

Kimberly A. Tessmer is a registered and licensed dietitian and owner of Nutrition Focus, specializing in nutrition, health and weight loss. She is author of The Everything Pregnancy Nutrition Book,

Is Coke worse than beer?

When it comes to nutrition, what we drink can be every bit as important as what we eat. With worries about alcohol consumption on one hand, and sugar on the other, making a health choice can be challenging.

Beer Vs Soda Which Is Worse For Your Health 1

We’re going to put two of the bad boys of the beverage world head to head. Beer vs soda – which is worse for your health? With lots of competing information out there, we’re going to separate the facts from the fiction.

So read on to find out how to make healthier choices!

A Health Warning Before Beer Vs Soda

This is an article about health – so we’re going to start with a health warning.

It’s very easy to compare some metrics for beer and soda, in relation to calories and sugars. And it’s very easy to say, “beer has alcohol and soda doesn’t”.

If you’re searching online, you’ll find lots of articles that come to the conclusion that beer is pretty much fine. That’s not the case for the very many people who have serious problems with alcohol misuse.

If you’ve suffered from alcohol addiction, one beer can be all it takes to spiral back into problem drinking. So if you’ve had serious worries about your drinking in the past, stop reading here. Beer is bad news for you. Stay away from it.

With that warning out of the way, we’re going to look at the nutritional content of beer and soda. And we’ll debunk some of the myths you might have heard.

Beer Vs Soda – Sugar Facts

Beer Vs Soda - Sugar Facts

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There’s a lot of variation in the types of both beer and soda on the market. That makes a general comparison very difficult.

Non-diet versions of soda are, however, usually very high in sugar. That’s why diet versions of them are made in the first place. They aim to replicate the flavor using sweetener, reducing the number of calories and eliminating the sugar content.

The amount of sugar in any particular soda depends on the brand. Coca-Cola’s original formulation contains 39 grams of added sugars in a 12-ounce can. A 20-ounce bottle of Dr. Pepper contains 64 grams.

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The American Heart Association recommends that men should have no more than 37.5 grams of sugar per day. Their recommendation for women is just 25 grams a day.

That makes these sodas excessively high in sugar. And that means they can lead to all manner of problems – from bad teeth to obesity and depression.

They should be consumed only as a very occasional treat. Switch to diet sodas, though, and you usually won’t be consuming any sugar at all.

Normal strength beer, on the other hand, doesn’t contain any sugar either. But that’s not the same for low-alcohol or non-alcoholic beers.

A typical low-alcohol beer has 2.4 grams of sugar per fluid ounce. If you had the same sized serving as that bottle of Dr. Pepper, that would mean consuming 48 grams of sugar. The same sized serving as the can of Coke would give you nearly 29 grams.

So while the sugar content of low-alcohol beer is a bit lower than that of soda, it’s still high. It’s another drink that it’s sensible to think of as an occasional treat.

There are lower sugar options out there, though. A can of Coors Edge non-alcoholic beer has just 5 grams of sugar.

Beer Vs Soda – What About Calories?

Beer Vs Soda - What About Calories

Sugar goes hand in hand with calories – but some drinks that don’t have sugar still have plenty of calories. And one of those drinks is beer.

As with sugar, it’s important to remember that the number of calories vary widely between drinks. Regular sodas tend to have tons of calories. Diet sodas have far, far fewer.

Normal strength beers have roughly the same number of calories as standard sodas. Light versions can have far fewer.

Let’s look at some of the brands to see how this plays out.

A 12-ounce can of classic formula Coca-Cola has 140 calories. The same sized can of Pepsi or Dr. Pepper has 150.

Now let’s take a look at beer. The same 12-ounce serving of Budweiser has 144 calories. For Heineken, it’s 149 calories. Stella Artois has 154 calories.

That is to say – they’re all pretty similar.

Now let’s see how the diet versions measure up. A can of Diet Coca-Cola has no calories at all. The same goes for Diet Pepsi and Diet Dr. Pepper.

A 12-ounce bottle of Bud Light, on the other hand, has 110 calories. Heineken’s 0.0 non-alcoholic beer has just 69 calories. Stella Artois don’t make a diet version of their lager, but Coors Light has 102 calories.

So when it comes to calories in standard versions, beer and soda are pretty much as bad as each other. If you opt for light versions, you’ll see a significant reduction in calories. But whilst most diet sodas are calorie-free, that’s not the case for light beers.

You can enjoy any of these drinks in moderation. Just keep in mind the overall calorie guidelines. That’s about 2,000 calories a day for women, and 2,500 calories a day for men. Stick to those limits, and you’re unlikely to find you put on weight.

Beer Vs Soda – What About Vitamins And Minerals?

Beer contains a lot of B-vitamins, plus minerals including potassium, magnesium, biotin, phosphorous and selenium. Less good news is that alcohol destroys vitamin C and vitamin B complex. And it impairs your body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals too.

Generally speaking, soda doesn’t contain vitamins and minerals at all. A few, though, do. Coca-Cola Energy has added vitamin B3 and B6. Dr. Pepper contains calcium, zinc, iron, manganese, phosphorous and a tiny amount of selenium.

Sprite has postassium, magnesium and calcium. Less positively, it has a lot of sodium too.

Beer Vs Soda – What About Alcohol?

Beer Vs Soda - What About Alcohol

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Let’s start with clearing up some nonsense we’ve seen in a lot of online articles about beer and health. Moderate consumption of alcohol is not good for you.

There is some evidence that drinking up to 15 units (150 milliliters) of alcohol per week has advantages for cardiovascular health. There is plenty of evidence that alcohol consumption at lower levels than this has negative effects on blood pressure.

There is no “safe” level for alcohol consumption. The guideline amounts are intended to set a level below which your risk of harm is low.

And if you regularly consume more than the 14 units recommended per week, you’re stacking up a host of health problems. Everything from anxiety and depression to heart disease, liver damage, problems with your reproductive system and a range of cancers.

That’s before we get into the risks associated with alcohol addiction, and the link between alcohol abuse and suicide.

There’s more bad news when it comes to the nutritional aspects of alcohol too. Beer might be low in sugar, but it can also cause your blood sugar levels to drop fast. That can give you the munchies – as anyone who’s ordered a late-night burger or pizza after drinking can confirm.

It also means you’re less able to tell when you’re full. So when hunger strikes, you may eat more than you should.

And that “beer belly” is no myth. Alcohol also makes your body less able to burn up the fat that it’s stored. And it puts a strain on your liver, which has to work hard to metabolize the alcohol. That in turn can make it swell and fill with fat, giving many regular beer drinkers their characteristic paunch.

So Which Is Worse – Beer Or Soda?

Beer Vs Soda Which Is Worse For Your Health

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There’s no easy answer to the question of whether beer or soda is worse for you.

If you’re drinking soda that’s high in sugar, do it sparingly. That sugar content can be extremely high. That’s harmful for your dental health and will increase your risk of everything from diabetes to acne and depression. It can even make your skin age more quickly!

A sensible solution is to switch to diet sodas. But note that these contain sweeteners which won’t be suitable for everyone. There is some evidence, for example, that people who are overweight already may see an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

The best option is to treat sugary drinks – even diet versions – as an occasional treat. And don’t forget that sugar is addictive. If you cut back, over time you’ll find the craving for sweet drinks diminishes.

When it comes to beer, drink it in moderation. Remember that different beers contain different amounts of alcohol. If you’re concerned about whether you’re drinking too much, keeping a diary can be very helpful. Review it after a few weeks, so you can get a clear picture of your drinking habits.

And consider switching to low alcohol or non-alcoholic beers. Just remember – they still contain calories. And dealing with any amount of alcohol puts some strain on your body.

As with regular sodas, it’s a good idea to treat normal-strength or stronger beer as an occasional treat. Switch to lighter versions and you’ll be able to enjoy it more often.

And switch to non-alcoholic versions and a lot of the issues with beer disappear. Just make sure you know how many calories it contains, so you don’t find yourself putting on weight.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve found our review of the facts around beer vs soda helpful. Whichever drink you prefer, you can enjoy it in moderation. Just don’t drink it all the time!

Make the right choices, and you’ll be fitter and healthier. And most important, you’ll feel better too.

What is a Coca-Cola body shape?

The hourglass figure is one of four traditional female body shapes described by the fashion industry. The other shapes are the rectangular, inverted triangle, and spoon/pear. The hourglass shape is defined by a woman's body measurements- the circumference of the bust, waist and hips. Hourglass body shapes have a wide bust, a narrow waist, and wide hips with a similar measurement to that of the bust. This body shape is named for its resemblance to that of an hourglass where the upper and lower half are wide and roughly equal while the middle is narrow in circumference, making the overall shape wide-narrow-wide. Women who exhibit the hourglass figure have been shown to be more admired, which can put pressure on women whose body shapes are noticeably different to strive to achieve the hourglass figure. This can lead to body dissatisfaction which can cause eating disorders in young women from all over the globe.[1]

Contents

1 Evolution of female body shape

2 Body weight and hormones

3 History

4 Corsets

4.1 Women's fashion

5 Plus-size women in the fashion industry

6 Research

7 References

Evolution of female body shape

It has been proposed by scientists that the evolutionary reason for the female body shape is due in part to this sexual selection. Sex-typical body shapes (a man's muscular physique and a woman's hourglass figure) are an outcome of evolutionary adaptation for reproductive fitness because they convey information about gene quality, health and fertility, which are important elements for mate selection.[2] Bipedalism may be related to the differences of the female and male body shapes. During pregnancy a woman's body is transformed so it is properly able to carry the baby. To prevent the center of gravity in a woman's body from being off balance, it is believed that evolution could have favored fat deposits in the gluteal region and the thighs.[3] A systematic review over multiple studies found the strongest cue of a low WHR (waist–hip ratio) to be age and sex. And that there is not enough evidence to conclude that a low WHR is a sign for health, fertility or better reproductive success.[4]

Body weight and hormones

When it comes to body weight and hormones, it is dependent on a female's family background and what changes she can expect while she goes through puberty. Fat distribution in women is at its highest from their early teens to late middle age. Sex hormones play an important role in specific regions of the body helping with the regulation and accumulation of fat. Fat distribution occurs in women because estrogen lessens the adipose distribution to the abdominal region and stimulates fat growth in the gluteofemoral region. Testosterone, on the other hand, has the opposite effect. While estrogen lessens the production of fat in the abdominal region, testosterone stimulates the growth of fat in the abdominal region.

History

The rear view of a naked adult woman with pronounced hip width and large buttocks, both typically associated with hourglass figure

The first representations of truly fashionable women appear in the 14th century. Before this, the Venus of Willendorf dating from the Ice Age stresses full aesthetic encompassing. Between the 14th and 16th centuries in northern Europe, bulging bellies were deemed desirable, however the rest of the figure was generally thin. This is most easily visible in paintings of nudes from the time. When looking at clothed images, the belly is often visible through a mass of otherwise concealing, billowing, loose robes. Since the stomach was the only visible anatomical feature, it became exaggerated in nude depictions while the rest of the body was de-emphasized. This was true in southern Europe around the time of the renaissance. Though the classical aesthetic was being revived and studied, the art produced in the time period was influenced by both factors. This resulted in a beauty standard that reconciled the two aesthetics by using classically proportioned figures who had non-classical amounts of flesh and soft, padded skin.[citation needed] In the nude paintings of the 17th century, such as those by Rubens, the naked women appear quite fat. Upon closer inspection however, most of the women have fairly normal figures- Rubens has simply painted their flesh with rolls and ripples that otherwise would not be there. This may be a reflection of the female style of the day: a long, cylindrical, corseted gown with rippling satin accents. Thus Rubens' women have a tubular body with rippling embellishments.

While the corset continued to be fashionable into the 18th century, it shortened, became more conical, and consequently began to emphasize the waist. It also lifted and separated the breasts as opposed to the 17th century corsets which compressed and minimized the breasts. Consequently, depictions of nude women in the 18th century tend to have a very narrow waist and high, distinct breasts, almost as if they were wearing an invisible corset. La maja desnuda is a clear example of this aesthetic. The 19th century maintained the general figure of the 18th century. Examples can be seen in the works of many contemporary artists, both academic artists, such as Cabanel, Ingres, and Bouguereau, and impressionists, such as Degas, Renoir, and Toulouse-Lautrec. As the 20th century began, the rise of athletics resulted in a drastic slimming of the female figure. This culminated in the 1920s flapper look, which has informed modern fashion ever since.[citation needed] The last 100 years envelop the time period in which that overall body type has been seen as attractive, though there have been small changes within the period as well. The 1920s was the time in which the overall silhouette of the ideal body slimmed down. There was dramatic flattening of the entire body resulting in a more youthful aesthetic.[citation needed] In the 1930s, American goods such as the Coca-Cola bottle were exported for the first time to Jamaica. Today in the Jamaican culture the Coca-Cola bottle has now become the representation of a perfect women's body. Women with curves that are shaped to look like the coke bottle got the highest compliments from men while skinny women were mocked and ridiculed for not having this idolized body shape.[5]

Corsets

In the mid to late 1800s, during the Victorian era, the hourglass corset was used to accentuate the hourglass body shape that became popular and ideal. It accentuated a woman’s waist by compressing and reducing its size by force to allow a woman who had a straight figure to display the hourglass shape. The corset is iconic with the image of a woman being helped by her maids. The maids are pulling on strings at the back of the woman's corset in order to tighten it and reduce the size of the wearer's waist.[citation needed] The hourglass corset varied and developed as time passed but the basic design and intention of the corset remained the same– the reduction of the waist line in order to create the ideal hourglass body shape where the bust and hips were similar in measurement while being much wider than the narrow waist. Even though the corsets of this time were able to give women the body of their dreams, it was also very harmful and damaging to their bodies over time. This well-known historical attempt at changing a woman's body shape — corseting of the waist to make an hourglass figure — had lasting effects on the skeleton, deforming the ribs and misaligning the spine.[6]

Women's fashion

The return of the hourglass figure has been influenced by many different things, including the different roles women play at home and in the workplace. This reflects the fact that women in today's society have more control over what they look like than they did in years past. In the 1960s women celebrated liberation by wearing skimpy mini skirts, in the '70s bohemian fashion emerged thanks to the feminist movement, and in the '80s the fight for equality in the workplace led many women to choose attire that drew less attention to their bodies.[7]

Plus-size women in the fashion industry

The hourglass figure is perhaps the most iconic of the four major body shapes, as reflected by the fashion industry. Such fashion designers as Christian Dior have designed clothes with the female hourglass body shape in mind.[8] Fashion designers of today continue to design clothes to fit the hourglass body shape even though the body shapes of modern women are changing and becoming much more varied.[9] Even now when plus-size is included in the fashion industry as well as being more commonly produced by various groups of clothing designers, the hourglass shape is a great influence on the design of plus-sized clothes. Models of plus size clothing retain the coveted hourglass figure, albeit larger than the models of regular clothing.[10] Research conducted in Britain by the University College London and the London College of Fashion found that less than 10% of women had an hourglass body shape.[9] The smooth and narrow waist continues to dominate in fashion designs meant to cater to plus-size women even when that particular body shape, the hourglass, is not commonly found.

Research

Recent research indicates that men have a marked preference for women who have the hourglass figure. These studies found that this shape was even more highly preferred than breast size or facial features. While it is true that most men were initially drawn to a woman's cleavage, it was her hips and waist that were in fact what they found the most attractive.[11] Scientists observed that the most desirable waist-to-hip ratio was 0.7- a waist that measures 70 percent of the circumference of the hips. Some examples of women who possess or have possessed the "perfect" body were Marilyn Monroe, Jessica Alba and Alessandra Ambrosio. A scientist on one of the studies speculated that the 0.7 ratio might signal female fertility.[11] Recent studies have shown that only about 8 percent of women today have the sort of hourglass figure flaunted by curvaceous 1950s film stars such as Sophia Loren. Of the 6,000 women's body shapes analyzed in the study, 46 percent were described as rectangular, with the waist less than nine inches smaller than the hips or bust. Just over 20 percent of women were bottom-heavy "spoons", or pear shapes, with hips two inches larger than busts or more, while almost 14 percent were "inverted triangles" - women whose busts were three or more inches bigger than their hips.[12]

Does sugar add belly fat?

By Judy Germany

Are you intrigued by those Internet ads claiming to know "the secret to shedding belly fat" or "the one trick to losing belly fat"? If so, you're not alone. Americans spend countless hours and billions of dollars trying anything and everything to attain a flat stomach.

But is there really a magic bullet — a fast and easy way to get rid of stubborn belly fat — as so many ads and commercials claim?

In short, no. (Yeah, we were bummed to hear that too.)

But, there are ways to banish belly fat — if you’re willing to make the effort.

Two experts from Rush, Rasa Kazlauskaite, MD, an endocrinologist with the Rush University Prevention Center, and Sheila Dugan, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, help guide you through the changes you need to make to lose that belly fat for good.

First of all, what is belly fat?

There are different types of fat:

Subcutaneous fat

Subcutaneous fat is the looser fat that lets you "pinch an inch" and can accumulate just under the skin

Intramuscular fat

Intramuscular fat is found within the skeletal muscles

Visceral fat

Visceral fat is the packed between your abdominal organs (stomach, liver, kidneys, etc.), which is what we call intra-abdominal or belly fat

Is there really ‘one trick’ to losing belly fat?

When ads claim a "one trick" solution, remember that their main objective is to sell their product rather than to help you. Good marketing means one message, because it is hard to follow too many things at once. So they focus on one fad, and that tickles your curiosity and you click on the link to go their website.

So, no, there's not. But here's what you can do.

1. Start simple

Typically there are many things you may need to improve to lose belly fat. But start by focusing on changing or improving just one thing. Then, once you conquer that first objective, you can move on to the next thing, and so on.

2. Target sugar

One good place to begin improving your food choices is to eliminate sugary drinks — and not just soda, but juices. Sugar increases belly fat and fiber reduces belly fat; thus when you're juicing fruits, you're removing the fiber, leaving pure sugar. So one quick fix, a very concrete fix, would be eliminating sugary drinks.

Replacing sugary beverages with water will help dramatically cut down your sugar intake, and then once you've taken that step, you can figure out how to cut down on foods that are high in sugar.

If you have a sweet tooth and need to put that final accent to your meal, eat an apple, melon or fresh berries. Just remember, fruit is not a substitute for vegetables.

3. Go Mediterranean

The popular "flat belly diets"embrace much of the wisdom found in eating a Mediterranean diet, which helps everything from brain health to hearth health. The basic premise for both diets is eat foods rich in monosaturated fatty acids (MUFA) that may help reduce your belly fat storage. MUFA-rich foods include olive oil, nuts and seeds, avocodos, and fish. Eating yogurt regularly has also been found to be helpful in reducing belly fat.

Another diet trend that promises results when it comes to belly fat: the apple cider vinegar diet. While animal studies have been promising, current research in humans has yet to show impressive results. The data supporting the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, however, are real and cause for making some dietary changes.

4. Front-load your meal

Start your meal, especially your largest meal, with seasoned vegetables, be it vegetable soup or the vegetables on your entrée plate. And remember that vegetables should always comprise at least half of your plate and be a mix of starchy (like potatoes) and nonstarchy ones (your leafy greens, broccoli, etc.).

Eating the vegetables first will leave less room for other foods that aren't as healthy, because vegetable fiber is filling.

5. Commit to a physical lifestyle

A Plastic Surgeon's SECRETS To Getting a FLAT TUMMY Without Surgery!

The single most important thing people can do to prevent the buildup of belly fat and get rid of existing belly fat is commit to physical activity, and better yet, a physical lifestyle.

For both men and women, the first fat you lose when you exercise is visceral fat.

In a way, moderate-intensity physical activity is that "magic pill" a lot of people are looking for, because the health benefits go beyond keeping your waistline trim: Not only can it reduce your risk of cancer, stroke, diabetes and heart attacks, but studies have shown that physical activity can significantly improve the moods of patients with major depressive disorders.

Overtraining, though, can be problematic when it comes to fighting belly fat because it can lead to coristol overproduction. Excess amounts of this stress hormone has been found to be associated with belly fat.

Simply walking briskly an hour each day can have an impact by boosting your metabolism, as can adding an incline to your treadmill routine.

The bottom line is that when it comes to belly fat, the answer is not in drugs or supplements.

6. Move around, fidget

Here's something else most people probably don't know: Fidgeting is good for you. It's considered a nonexercise physical activity, and it's an important way to burn energy. You get more health benefits if, in addition to exercising, you are a more fidgety, more active person the rest of the day. This means gesturing while you're talking, tapping your foot, just moving around.

7. And try not to sit too much

Studies have shown that people who sit eight to nine hours a day, even if they exercise the recommended 150 minutes per week, do not get the same benefits of exercising as people who are more active throughout the day.

If you have to sit most of the day for your job, try to find some ways to move:

Take small breaks throughout the day to walk around

Use your lunch hour to take a longer walk

Take the stairs instead of the elevator, if possible

Do stretching exercises at your desk

Just do your best to move around as much as you can

8. Redefine 'rest'

Having an active hobby — and if you don't already have one, developing one — is important. Get engaged in some kind of sport, whether it's a group activity or something you can do alone. Essentially, if an activity is pleasant to you, you'll continue to do it.

If your leisure time involves sitting around on the sofa or in a chair, you might actually be offsetting the positive health effects of exercising even if you're working out regularly.

Unfortunately, the general understanding of rest is relaxing in front of TV or dining out — what we call "passive rest." But really, our rest should consist of sleep, and our leisure time should consist of fun physical activity, which is active rest.

Statistics suggest that out of 900 months in his life, the average man in the U.S. spends approximately 198 months watching TV, five months complaining about his boss, and five months waiting on hold.

Think of the other things you could do with those 208 months of your life. You could find activities that are better for your health and will help keep the belly fat away.

9. Don't rely on sit-ups to give you a six-pack

Unfortunately, sit-ups and crunches can't eliminate visceral fat directly. You can't reduce fat from specific parts of your body by exercising that body part; our bodies simply don't work that way.

With sit-ups or other abdominal exercises, you're toning the abdominal muscles but not burning intra-abdominal fat. The key is to lower your overall body fat with moderate-intensity physical activity and a healthy diet; when you reduce your total body fat, you'll also be reducing your belly fat.

So if you want to do abdominal exercises, make them part of your fitness routine. Just don't treat them as a substitute for the recommended 150 minutes of weekly moderate-intensity physical activity.

10. Develop more muscle

While sit-ups can't "target" belly fat, what they can do is help you burn calories, strengthen your core and develop more muscle. Because muscle is more metabolically active than fat, the more muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn when you're at rest.

You can also try lifting heavier weights and resting less between repetitions, which can promote calorie burning after you leave the gym.

Burning those extra calories can help you achieve and maintain a healthier weight in conjunction with regular cardiovascular exercise and a healthy diet.

11. Get some sleep

A recent study of 70,000 individuals showed that those getting less than five hours of sleep were more likely to gain 30 or more pounds.

12. Forget about weight loss drugs or supplements claiming ‘one trick’

So far, there is not one single drug that is approved by the Federal Drug Administration for the reduction of belly fat. Supplements claiming a "one trick solution" to belly fat are not strictly regulated, and a lot of the claims made in the ads are not backed up by research.

The bottom line is that when it comes to belly fat, the answer is not in drugs or supplements. Enjoying a healthy lifestyle should be the focus. And while that's not as simple as swallowing a pill, the benefits will last a lifetime.

Can you lose weight only drinking soda?

The best and worst beverages for weight loss

Drink Pounds Away

Many of us watch what we eat but not what we drink when on a diet. That’s a mistake. The average American drinks one out of five of their daily calories. Choosing the right drinks can tweak your metabolism, curb your appetite, and help cut calories. Which drinks are spoilers and which are helpers on the path to weight loss?

Spoiler: Soda

Every time you chug a bottle of soda, you get hundreds of empty calories. Switching to diet soft drinks is an obvious way to cut calories, but the research is mixed on whether this switch leads to weight loss. Some studies show a short-term benefit. Others find diet soda drinkers gain weight. If you eat or drink more calories than you burn, just switching to diet soda may not do the trick.

Helper: Water

Replacing carbonated soft drinks with water will cut hundreds of calories per day. Drinking two glasses of water before a meal may also help you feel full faster, so you don’t eat as much. And drinking enough water may have a positive effect on your metabolism.

Jury’s Out: Fruit Juice

Juice can have as many calories as soda, but it has more nutrients. This presents a dilemma: You want the vitamins and antioxidants without all the extra sugar. Look for 100% fruit juice. Steer clear of juice drinks that have added sweeteners. Check the nutrition label for the percentage of real juice. You can also slash calories by drinking water with a tiny bit of juice added.

Helper: Vegetable Juice

Vegetable juice is as nutritious as fruit juice, with about half the calories but a lot more sodium. One cup of tomato juice has 41 calories, compared to 122 calories for orange juice. Choosing juice with pulp provides some fiber, too, which may help control hunger.

Jury’s Out: Smoothies

Blend a banana, strawberries, and blueberries into a frothy smoothie, and you’ve got a delicious drink. Make your own, so you can control the ingredients: skim milk (or an alternative, like almond milk) and fresh or frozen fruit are all you need. Restaurant smoothies may include ice cream, honey, or other sweeteners that boost the calorie count sky-high.

Jury’s Out: Low-Fat Milk

Eating calcium-rich foods may do a body good, and it may help you lose weight. Some research shows that drinking higher amounts of milk or eating other dairy foods can help with weight loss. For the best all-around benefits, stick to skim or low-fat.

Spoiler: Sports and Energy Drinks

Most sports and energy drinks are calorie bombs like soda. They may have more added nutrients, but you can find the same vitamins and minerals in low-calorie foods. When you’re working on weight loss, stay hydrated with water rather than sports drinks, unless you need the extra nutrients because you’re exercising hard and sweating a lot.

Helper: Black Coffee

When you need a shot of caffeine, coffee is a better choice than soda or energy drinks. Black coffee is calorie-free and rich in antioxidants. Studies have shown that drinking moderate amounts of coffee (about 3 to 4 cups a day) may improve mood and concentration, and may also lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Spoiler: Fancy Coffee

Once you add heavy cream, flavored syrups, or a snowcap of whipped cream, your mug of black coffee is full of fat and sugar. Specialty coffees can have up to 570 calories per cup: possibly more than an entire meal! If you don’t like your coffee black, add a little skim milk and artificial sweetener to keep the calorie count low.

Helper: Green Tea

Green tea is an excellent choice when you’re looking for a little boost. Not only is it calorie-free — some research suggests green tea extract may stimulate weight loss. It’s not clear exactly how that works, but caffeine and micronutrients called catechins may each play a role. The benefit appears to last only a few hours, so it may help to drink green tea at least twice a day.

Spoiler: Coolers

Coolers may sound light and airy, but they are heavy on calories. A 12-ounce cooler containing wine can have 190 calories and 22 grams of carbs. The same size hard lemonade or bottled alcoholic “ice” can have as much as 315 calories. Regular wine is not exactly a diet drink, with 100 calories in a 5-ounce glass. A low-calorie alternative is a wine spritzer: Mix a dash of wine with some sparkling water.

Spoiler: Cocktails

A shot of hard liquor has fewer calories than wine or wine coolers, but once you mix in soda or cream, watch out. An 8-ounce white Russian made with light cream has 715 calories. A less fattening option is to mix rum or vodka with diet soda.

Helper: Light Beer

OK, beer is not really going to help you lose weight. But if you’re out with friends and want to share a pitcher, light beer is the way to go. A 12-ounce serving has about 100 calories, compared to 150 calories for regular beer.

Source: WebMD; Skinny Sipping: Best and Worst Drinks for Weight

If you want to stay fit and healthy, it’s important to exercise regularly.

This is because being physically fit can reduce your risk for developing health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (1Trusted Source, 2, 3Trusted Source).

In addition to helping you live a longer and healthier life, exercise can also be beneficial in helping to manage your weight (4Trusted Source).

Fortunately, walking is a great form of physical activity that’s free, low risk and accessible to most people (5Trusted Source).

In fact, walking is not just good for you — it’s one of the easiest forms of exercise to incorporate into your day-to-day life.

This article explores how walking more often can help you lose weight and belly fat.

Stocksy

Walking burns calories

Your body needs energy (in the form of calories) for all the complex chemical reactions that allow you to move, breathe, think, and function.

However, daily calorie needs vary from person to person and are affected by things like your age, height, weight, sex, genes, and activity level.

It’s well known that you need to burn more calories than you consume to lose weight (6Trusted Source).

Furthermore, people who are more physically active burn more calories than those who are sedentary (7, 8Trusted Source).

However, modern living and work environments may mean that you spend large parts of your day sitting, especially if you have an office job.

Unfortunately, a sedentary lifestyle can not only contribute to weight gain, but it can also increase your risk for health problems (9Trusted Source).

Trying to get more exercise by walking more often can help you burn more calories and reduce these risks (10Trusted Source).

In fact, walking a mile (1.6 km) burns approximately 100 calories, depending on your sex and weight (11Trusted Source).

One study measured the number of calories people of average fitness level burned after walking at a brisk pace of 3.2 miles (5 km) per hour or running at a pace of 6 mph for about a mile. Results showed that those who walked at a brisk pace burned an average of 90 calories per mile (12Trusted Source).

Furthermore, although running burned significantly more calories, it only burned around 23 more calories per mile, on average, meaning both forms of exercise contributed significantly to the number of calories burned.

To increase the intensity of your walk and burn even more calories, try walking on routes with hills or slight inclines (13Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Walking burns calories, which may help you lose weight and keep it off. In fact, walking just one mile burns about 100 calories.

It helps preserve lean muscle

When people cut calories and lose weight, they often lose some muscle in addition to body fat.

This can be counterproductive, as muscle is more metabolically active than fat. This means that having more muscle helps you burn more calories each day.

Exercise, including walking, can help counter this effect by preserving lean muscle when you lose weight.

Preserving lean muscle helps reduce the drop in metabolic rate that often occurs with weight loss, making your results easier to maintain (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

What’s more, regular exercise can reduce age-related muscle loss, helping you retain more of your muscle strength and function in later years (17Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Walking can help prevent some of the muscle loss that may occur when cutting calories to lose weight. This helps minimize the drop in metabolic rate that occurs when you lose weight, making the pounds easier to keep off.

Walking reduces belly fat

Storing a lot of fat around your midsection has been linked to an increased risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease (18Trusted Source).

In fact, men with a waist circumference greater than 40 inches (102 cm) and women with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches (88 cm) are considered to have abdominal obesity, which is considered a health risk.

One of the most effective ways to reduce belly fat is to regularly take part in aerobic exercise, such as walking (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).

In one small study, women with obesity who walked for 50–70 minutes three times per week for 12 weeks, on average, reduced their waist circumference and their body fat. The fat directly under the skin (subcutaneous) and the hidden fat within your abdominal cavity (visceral) were both significantly reduced in the exercise group in comparison to the control group (21Trusted Source).

Another study found that people on a calorie-controlled diet who walked for 1 hour five times per week for 12 weeks were able to lose inches off their waistlines as well as more body fat, compared with those who followed the diet alone (22Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Regularly taking part in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise like walking is associated with lower levels of belly fat.

It improves your mood

Exercise is known to boost your mood.

In fact, physical activity has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).

It does this by making your brain more sensitive to the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine. These hormones relieve feelings of depression and stimulate the release of endorphins, which make you feel happy (25Trusted Source).

This is a great benefit in itself. However, experiencing an improvement in mood when you walk regularly might also make the habit easier to keep up with.

What’s more, some studies have found that if you enjoy a physical activity, it can increase the likelihood that you will continue to do it (26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).

People tend to exercise less if they do not enjoy it, which can be a result of the exercise being too physically demanding (29Trusted Source).

This makes walking an excellent choice, as it’s a moderate-intensity exercise. That’s likely to motivate you to walk more, rather than give up.

SUMMARY

Regularly taking part in exercise that you enjoy, such as walking, can improve your mood and make you more motivated to keep it up, which in turn supports weight loss.

Walking can help you keep weight off

Many people who lose weight end up gaining it all back (29Trusted Source).

However, regular exercise plays an important role in helping you maintain weight loss (30Trusted Source).

Regular exercise like walking does not only help increase the amount of energy you burn day-to-day, but it also helps you build more lean muscle so that you burn more calories, even at rest.

Furthermore, participating in regular, moderate-intensity exercise like walking can improve your mood, making you more likely to stay active in the long term.

A review estimated that to maintain a stable weight, you should walk at least 150 minutes per week (31Trusted Source).

However, if you’ve lost a lot of weight, you may need to exercise more than 200 minutes per week to prevent yourself from regaining it (33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).

In fact, studies have found that people who exercise the most are usually the most successful at maintaining their weight loss; whereas people who exercise the least are more likely to regain the weight (35Trusted Source)

Incorporating more walking into your day can help you increase the amount of exercise you do and contribute to your daily activity goals.

SUMMARY

Staying active and moving more by walking throughout your day can help maintain weight loss.

How to incorporate more walking into your lifestyle

Being more physically active has a host of benefits in addition to weight loss, including:

improved fitness and mood

a reduced risk of disease

an increased likelihood of living a longer, healthier life

Because of this, it’s recommended that people participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

In walking terms, that means walking for around 2.5 hours per week (at least 10 minutes at a time) at a brisk pace. Doing more exercise than this has additional benefits for your health (and you weight) and reduces your risk for disease even further.

There are many ways to increase the amount of walking you do and achieve this target.

The following are some ideas:

Use a fitness tracker and log your steps to motivate yourself to move more (36Trusted Source).

Make a habit of taking a brisk walk on your lunch break and/or after dinner.

Ask a friend to join you for an evening walk.

Go for a walk with family and kids.

Walk your dog every day or join a friend on their dog walks.

Take a walking meeting with a colleague, instead of meeting at your desk.

Do errands like taking the kids to school or going to the store on foot.

Walk to work. If it’s too far, park your car further away or get off your bus a few stops early and walk the rest of the way.

Try picking new and challenging routes to keep your walks interesting.

Join a walking group.

Every little bit helps, so start small and try to gradually increase the amount you walk daily.

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SUMMARY

Incorporating more walking into your day can help you burn more calories and lose weight.

The bottom line

Walking is a moderate-intensity exercise that can be easily incorporated into your daily life.

Simply walking more often can help you lose weight and belly fat, as well as provide other excellent health benefits, including a decreased risk of disease and improved mood.

In fact, walking just one mile burns about 100 calories.

If you’re wanting to better manage your weight, combining your increase in physical activity with a nutrient-rich, balanced diet offers the best opportunity to help you achieve your goal.

Boosting your metabolic rate can help you lose body fat.

However, most “fat-burning” supplements on the market are either unsafe, ineffective or both.

Fortunately, several natural foods and beverages have been shown to increase your metabolism and promote fat loss.

Here are 11 healthy foods that help you burn fat.

1. Fatty Fish

Fatty fish is delicious and incredibly good for you.

Salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel and other oily fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and decrease heart disease risk (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

In addition, omega-3 fatty acids may help you lose body fat.

In a six-week controlled study in 44 adults, those who took fish oil supplements lost an average of 1.1 pounds (0.5 kilograms) of fat and experienced a drop in cortisol, a stress hormone that’s associated with fat storage (4Trusted Source).

What’s more, fish is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Digesting protein leads to greater feelings of fullness and increases metabolic rate significantly more than digesting fat or carbs (5Trusted Source).

To boost fat loss and protect heart health, include a minimum of 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of fatty fish in your diet at least twice a week.

SUMMARY:

Fatty fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that may promote fat loss. Fish is also rich in protein, which helps you feel full and boosts metabolic rate during digestion.

2. MCT Oil

MCT oil is made by extracting MCTs from palm oil. It is available online and at natural grocery stores.

MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, which are a type of fat that’s metabolized differently than the long-chain fatty acids found in most foods.

Due to their shorter length, MCTs are rapidly absorbed by the body and go straight to the liver, where they can be used immediately for energy or converted into ketones for use as an alternative fuel source.

Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to increase metabolic rate in several studies (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

One study in eight healthy men found adding 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 grams) of MCTs per day to the men’s usual diets increased their metabolic rate by 5% over a 24-hour period, meaning they burned an average of 120 extra calories per day (8Trusted Source).

In addition, MCTs may reduce hunger and promote better retention of muscle mass during weight loss (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).

Replacing some of the fat in your diet with 2 tablespoons of MCT oil per day may optimize fat burning.

However, it’s best to start with 1 teaspoon daily and gradually increase the dosage in order to minimize potential digestive side effects like cramping, nausea and diarrhea.

Shop for MCT oil online.

SUMMARY:

MCTs are rapidly absorbed for immediate use as an energy source. MCT oil may increase fat burning, decrease hunger and protect muscle mass during weight loss.

3. Coffee

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide.

It’s a great source of caffeine, which can enhance mood and improve mental and physical performance (12Trusted Source).

Moreover, it can help you burn fat.

In a small study including nine people, those who took caffeine an hour before exercise burned nearly twice as much fat and were able to exercise 17% longer than the non-caffeine group (13Trusted Source).

Research has shown that caffeine increases metabolic rate by an impressive 3–13%, depending on the amount consumed and individual response (14, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

In one study, people took 100 mg of caffeine every two hours for 12 hours. Lean adults burned an average of 150 extra calories and formerly obese adults burned 79 extra calories during the study time period (18Trusted Source).

To get the fat-burning benefits of caffeine without the potential side effects, such as anxiousness or insomnia, aim for 100–400 mg per day. This is the amount found in about 1–4 cups of coffee, depending on its strength.

SUMMARY:

Coffee contains caffeine, which has been shown to improve mental and physical performance, in addition to boosting metabolism.

4. Eggs

Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse.

Although egg yolks used to be avoided due to their high cholesterol content, whole eggs have actually been shown to help protect heart health in those at increased risk of disease (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).

Additionally, eggs are a killer weight loss food.

Studies have shown that egg-based breakfasts reduce hunger and promote feelings of fullness for several hours in overweight and obese individuals (21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).

In a controlled eight-week study in 21 men, those who ate three eggs for breakfast consumed 400 fewer calories per day and had a 16% greater reduction in body fat, compared to the group who ate a bagel breakfast (23Trusted Source).

Eggs are also a great source of high-quality protein, which increases metabolic rate by about 20–35% for several hours after eating, based on several studies (5Trusted Source).

In fact, one of the reasons eggs are so filling may be due to the boost in calorie burning that occurs during protein digestion (24Trusted Source).

Eating three eggs several times a week can help you burn fat while keeping you full and satisfied.

SUMMARY:

Eggs are a high-protein food that may help reduce hunger, increase fullness, boost fat burning and protect heart health.

5. Green Tea

Green tea is an excellent beverage choice for good health.

Studies suggest that it may help reduce heart disease risk and protect against certain types of cancer (25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).

In addition to providing a moderate amount of caffeine, green tea is an excellent source of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant that promotes fat burning and the loss of belly fat (27Trusted Source, 28, 29, 30Trusted Source).

In a study of 12 healthy men, fat burning during bicycling increased by 17% in those who took green tea extract, compared to those who took a placebo (31Trusted Source).

On the other hand, some studies have found that green tea or green tea extract has little to no effect on metabolism or weight loss (32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source).

Given the difference in study outcomes, green tea’s effects likely vary from person to person and may also depend on the amount consumed.

Drinking up to four cups of green tea daily may provide a number of health benefits, including potentially increasing the amount of calories you burn.

Shop for green tea online.

SUMMARY:

Green tea contains caffeine and EGCG, both of which may boost metabolism, promote weight loss, protect heart health and reduce the risk of cancer.

6. Whey Protein

Whey protein is pretty impressive.

It’s been shown to promote muscle growth when combined with exercise and may help preserve muscle during weight loss (34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source).

In addition, whey protein seems to be even more effective at suppressing appetite than other protein sources.

This is because it stimulates the release of “fullness hormones,” such as PYY and GLP-1, to a greater extent (36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source).

One study had 22 men consume different protein drinks on four separate days. They experienced significantly lower hunger levels and ate fewer calories at the next meal after drinking the whey protein drink, compared to the other protein drinks (38Trusted Source).

Moreover, whey appears to boost fat burning and promote weight loss in lean people and those who are overweight or obese (39Trusted Source).

In one study of 23 healthy adults, a whey protein meal was found to increase metabolic rate and fat burning more than casein or soy protein meals (40Trusted Source).

A whey protein shake is a quick meal or snack option that promotes fat loss and may help improve your body composition.

Shop for whey protein online.

SUMMARY:

Whey protein appears to increase muscle growth, reduce appetite, increase fullness and boost metabolism more effectively than other protein sources.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an ancient folk remedy with evidence-based health benefits.

It’s been credited with reducing appetite and lowering blood sugar and insulin levels in people with diabetes (41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source).

What’s more, vinegar’s main component, acetic acid, has been found to increase fat burning and reduce belly fat storage in several animal studies (43Trusted Source, 44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source).

Although there isn’t much research on vinegar’s effect on fat loss in humans, the results from one study are pretty encouraging.

In this study, 144 obese men who added 2 tablespoons of vinegar to their usual diets every day for 12 weeks lost 3.7 pounds (1.7 kilograms) and experienced a 0.9% reduction in body fat (46Trusted Source).

Including apple cider vinegar in your diet may help you lose body fat. Start with 1 teaspoon per day diluted in water and gradually work up to 1–2 tablespoons per day to minimize potential digestive discomfort.

Shop for apple cider vinegar online.

SUMMARY:

Apple cider vinegar may help suppress appetite, promote loss of belly fat and reduce blood sugar and insulin levels.

8. Chili Peppers

Chili peppers do more than add heat to your food.

Their powerful antioxidants may reduce inflammation and help protect your cells from damage (47Trusted Source).

In addition, research suggests that one antioxidant in chili peppers called capsaicin may help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

It does this by promoting fullness and preventing overeating (48Trusted Source).

What’s more, this compound may also help you burn more calories and lose body fat (49Trusted Source, 50Trusted Source).

In a study of 19 healthy adults, when calorie intake was restricted by 20%, capsaicin was found to counteract the slowdown in metabolic rate that typically occurs with decreased calorie intake (51Trusted Source).

One large review of 20 studies concluded that taking capsaicin helps reduce appetite and can increase the number of calories you burn by about 50 calories per day (52Trusted Source).

Consider eating chili peppers or using powdered cayenne pepper to spice up your meals several times a week.

SUMMARY:

Compounds in cayenne pepper have been found to reduce inflammation, help control hunger and boost metabolic rate.

9. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink.

Although it receives less press than green tea, it has many of the same health benefits, thanks to its content of caffeine and catechins.

A review of several studies found that the combination of catechins and caffeine in tea increased calorie burning by an impressive 102 calories per day, on average (53Trusted Source).

Small studies in men and women suggest that drinking oolong tea increases metabolic rate and promotes weight loss. What’s more, one study found that oolong tea increased calorie burning twice as much as green tea did (54Trusted Source, 55Trusted Source, 56Trusted Source).

Drinking a few cups of green tea, oolong tea or a combination of the two on a regular basis may promote fat loss and provide other beneficial health effects.

Shop for oolong tea online.

SUMMARY:

Oolong tea contains caffeine and catechins, both of which have been found to increase metabolic rate and promote fat loss.

10. Full-Fat Greek Yogurt

Full-fat Greek yogurt is extremely nutritious.

First, it’s an excellent source of protein, potassium and calcium.

Research suggests that high-protein dairy products can boost fat loss, protect muscle during weight loss and help you feel full and satisfied (57Trusted Source, 58Trusted Source).

Also, yogurt that contains probiotics can help keep your gut healthy and may reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as constipation and bloating (59Trusted Source).

Full-fat Greek yogurt also contains conjugated linoleic acid, which seems to promote weight loss and fat burning in overweight and obese people, according to research that includes a large review of 18 studies (60Trusted Source, 61Trusted Source, 62Trusted Source, 63Trusted Source).

Eating Greek yogurt on a regular basis may provide a number of health benefits. But make sure to choose plain, full-fat Greek yogurt, as non-fat and low-fat dairy products contain little to no conjugated linoleic acid.

SUMMARY:

Full-fat Greek yogurt may increase fat burning, reduce appetite, protect muscle mass during weight loss and improve gut health.

11. Olive Oil

Olive oil is one of the healthiest fats on earth.

Olive oil has been shown to lower triglycerides, increase HDL cholesterol and stimulate the release of GLP-1, one of the hormones that helps keep you full (64Trusted Source).

What’s more, some studies have shown that olive oil may boost metabolic rate and promote fat loss (65Trusted Source, 66Trusted Source, 67Trusted Source).

In a small study in 12 postmenopausal women with abdominal obesity, eating extra virgin olive oil as part of a meal significantly increased the number of calories the women burned for several hours (68Trusted Source).

To incorporate olive oil into your daily diet, drizzle a couple of tablespoons on your salad or add it to cooked food.

SUMMARY:

Olive oil appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, promote feelings of fullness and boost metabolic rate.

The Bottom Line

Despite what certain supplement manufacturers may suggest, there isn’t a safe “magic pill” that can help you burn hundreds of extra calories per day.

However, a number of foods and beverages may modestly increase your metabolic rate, in addition to providing other health benefits.

Including several of them in your daily diet may have effects that ultimately lead to fat loss and better overall health.

This is because being physically fit can reduce your risk for developing health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (1Trusted Source, 2, 3Trusted Source).

In addition to helping you live a longer and healthier life, exercise can also be beneficial in helping to manage your weight (4Trusted Source).

Fortunately, walking is a great form of physical activity that’s free, low risk and accessible to most people (5Trusted Source).

In fact, walking is not just good for you — it’s one of the easiest forms of exercise to incorporate into your day-to-day life.

This article explores how walking more often can help you lose weight and belly fat.

Stocksy

Walking burns calories

Your body needs energy (in the form of calories) for all the complex chemical reactions that allow you to move, breathe, think, and function.

However, daily calorie needs vary from person to person and are affected by things like your age, height, weight, sex, genes, and activity level.

It’s well known that you need to burn more calories than you consume to lose weight (6Trusted Source).

Furthermore, people who are more physically active burn more calories than those who are sedentary (7, 8Trusted Source).

However, modern living and work environments may mean that you spend large parts of your day sitting, especially if you have an office job.

HOW I GOT A FLAT STOMACH IN 3 DAYS | HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT FAST!

Unfortunately, a sedentary lifestyle can not only contribute to weight gain, but it can also increase your risk for health problems (9Trusted Source).

Trying to get more exercise by walking more often can help you burn more calories and reduce these risks (10Trusted Source).

In fact, walking a mile (1.6 km) burns approximately 100 calories, depending on your sex and weight (11Trusted Source).

To increase the intensity of your walk and burn even more calories, try walking on routes with hills or slight inclines (13Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Walking burns calories, which may help you lose weight and keep it off. In fact, walking just one mile burns about 100 calories.

It helps preserve lean muscle

When people cut calories and lose weight, they often lose some muscle in addition to body fat.

This can be counterproductive, as muscle is more metabolically active than fat. This means that having more muscle helps you burn more calories each day.

Exercise, including walking, can help counter this effect by preserving lean muscle when you lose weight.

Preserving lean muscle helps reduce the drop in metabolic rate that often occurs with weight loss, making your results easier to maintain (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

What’s more, regular exercise can reduce age-related muscle loss, helping you retain more of your muscle strength and function in later years (17Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Walking reduces belly fat

Storing a lot of fat around your midsection has been linked to an increased risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease (18Trusted Source).

One of the most effective ways to reduce belly fat is to regularly take part in aerobic exercise, such as walking (19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Regularly taking part in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise like walking is associated with lower levels of belly fat.

It improves your mood

Exercise is known to boost your mood.

In fact, physical activity has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of stress, depression, and anxiety (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).

This is a great benefit in itself. However, experiencing an improvement in mood when you walk regularly might also make the habit easier to keep up with.

What’s more, some studies have found that if you enjoy a physical activity, it can increase the likelihood that you will continue to do it (26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source).

People tend to exercise less if they do not enjoy it, which can be a result of the exercise being too physically demanding (29Trusted Source).

This makes walking an excellent choice, as it’s a moderate-intensity exercise. That’s likely to motivate you to walk more, rather than give up.

SUMMARY

Regularly taking part in exercise that you enjoy, such as walking, can improve your mood and make you more motivated to keep it up, which in turn supports weight loss.

Walking can help you keep weight off

Many people who lose weight end up gaining it all back (29Trusted Source).

However, regular exercise plays an important role in helping you maintain weight loss (30Trusted Source).

Regular exercise like walking does not only help increase the amount of energy you burn day-to-day, but it also helps you build more lean muscle so that you burn more calories, even at rest.

Furthermore, participating in regular, moderate-intensity exercise like walking can improve your mood, making you more likely to stay active in the long term.

A review estimated that to maintain a stable weight, you should walk at least 150 minutes per week (31Trusted Source).

However, if you’ve lost a lot of weight, you may need to exercise more than 200 minutes per week to prevent yourself from regaining it (33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).

Incorporating more walking into your day can help you increase the amount of exercise you do and contribute to your daily activity goals.

SUMMARY

Staying active and moving more by walking throughout your day can help maintain weight loss.

How to incorporate more walking into your lifestyle

Being more physically active has a host of benefits in addition to weight loss, including:

improved fitness and mood

a reduced risk of disease

an increased likelihood of living a longer, healthier life

Because of this, it’s recommended that people participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

There are many ways to increase the amount of walking you do and achieve this target.

The following are some ideas:

Use a fitness tracker and log your steps to motivate yourself to move more (36Trusted Source).

Make a habit of taking a brisk walk on your lunch break and/or after dinner.

Ask a friend to join you for an evening walk.

Go for a walk with family and kids.

Walk your dog every day or join a friend on their dog walks.

Take a walking meeting with a colleague, instead of meeting at your desk.

Do errands like taking the kids to school or going to the store on foot.

Walk to work. If it’s too far, park your car further away or get off your bus a few stops early and walk the rest of the way.

Try picking new and challenging routes to keep your walks interesting.

Join a walking group.

Every little bit helps, so start small and try to gradually increase the amount you walk daily.

SUMMARY

Incorporating more walking into your day can help you burn more calories and lose weight.

The bottom line

Walking is a moderate-intensity exercise that can be easily incorporated into your daily life.

Simply walking more often can help you lose weight and belly fat, as well as provide other excellent health benefits, including a decreased risk of disease and improved mood.

In fact, walking just one mile burns about 100 calories.

If you’re wanting to better manage your weight, combining your increase in physical activity with a nutrient-rich, balanced diet offers the best opportunity to help you achieve your goal.

Everyone’s body stores fat differently. The lower belly tends to be a place where fat collects for many people. This is because of:

genetics

diet

inflammation

lifestyle factors

Patience is key when you’re working to get rid of belly fat, but there are things you can try to optimize the process.

Getting rid of lower stomach fat

First, throw out the idea that you can “spot treat” areas of fat on your body. You can do thousands of reps of toning exercises to tighten your waistline and not see fat loss.

Exercises like cardio, yoga, and crunches may tone your muscles and strengthen your lower abs, but they won’t “erase” fat deposits.

The only way to lose fat on your lower stomach is to lose fat overall. A calorie deficit helps with this.

How to create a calorie deficit

Creating a calorie deficit boils down to a simple math equation: Are you burning more calories than you’re consuming on a daily basis? If you are, you’re at a calorie deficit.

Burning 3,500 calories more than you consume is equal to 1 pound of fat, according to the Mayo Clinic.

By having a 500-calorie deficit — through a combination of diet and exercise — you’ll lose about 1 pound of fat per week.

For most people, losing more than 2.5 pounds of fat per week involves extreme calorie restriction and isn’t recommended.

Diet to get rid of excess belly fat

Consuming more calories than you burn can make you more likely to develop visceral fat. It sometimes accumulates around the abdomen.

Eating the right foods may help aid weight loss. Avoid or limit foods that are highly processed and high in refined sugars and bleached grains. They’ve been linkedTrusted Source to blood sugar instability and inflammation in the digestive tract.

Instead, focus on adding healthy protein and fiber sources to your diet. Cruciferous veggies may help keep you full for longer and contain many nutrients. These include:

broccoli

kale

cauliflower

Protein can boost your stamina and energy without adding a lot of calories to your daily calorie needs. Some protein sources include:

hard-boiled eggs

lean meats

beans and legumes

nuts and seeds

Avoid or limit artificially sweetened drinks, including energy drinks and diet sodas. Stick to anti-inflammatory beverages, such as unsweetened green tea and water.

How to get rid of lower belly fat with exercise

HIIT

High-intensity interval training, also called HIIT, has been linked to the reduction of fat among adults with more weight.

In one study, adults who participated in HIIT exercise three times per week saw similar results as people who did daily 30-minute sessions of moderate cardio. Study authors point out that sticking to the regimen long term is needed for successful results.

You can use an app or stopwatch to time your intervals. Decide on the exercises you’ll do — like sprints, burpees, speed bag, or another cardio movement — and work your body at its hardest for at least 45 seconds.

Break for 45 seconds before repeating the exercise for as many reps as you can within 45 seconds. Repeat that in a circuit with five to seven exercises.

To burn fat, do a HIIT or cardio workout before you move to other exercises, like the ones listed below.

Raising your heart rate before other kinds of exercise, like weightlifting and Pilates, is a great way to supercharge your workout.

3 HIIT Moves for Arms and Legs

The hundred

The hundred is a classic Pilates exercise that targets the deep inner ab muscles. Here’s how to do it:

Start lying flat on your back on a yoga mat, with your knees bent and your feet on the floor.

One at a time, float your legs up so your knees are in a table-top position and your feet remain flexed.

Point your fingers away from you, and extend your arms as you lift them, about an inch off the ground.

Lift your chest and upper back off the ground to engage your abs.

Breathe in, and begin to pump your arms up and down as you hold your chest and neck off the ground. Try to breathe in unison with your arms’ movement, and begin to count.

Hold the pose to a count of 100 before hugging your knees in to your chest and exhaling to release the tension from your chest. Repeat this 2 or 3 times if you’re able to, working up to more reps.

Scissor switch

Scissor switch is another lower ab exercise that’s sometimes used in Pilates workouts. Here’s how to do it:

Start on your back on a yoga mat, and lift your legs up toward the ceiling at a 90-degree angle. Your feet should be flexed. You can tuck your hands behind your head.

Lift your chin to your chest, and hold so your rib cage folds over toward your belly button. You should feel your lower abs engage.

In a controlled movement, let one of your legs fall toward the floor. If you’re able to, stop your leg before it hits the floor, and hover it about an inch above the floor.

Bring that leg back up. Repeat with the other leg, alternating as you hold up your chest. Repeat for 20 reps.

Jackknife crunch

Jackknife crunches are floor exercises that engage the lower abs. The movement might feel simple at first, but after a few reps, you’ll feel how they tighten your core.

Here’s how to do them:

Lie flat on your back with your arms extended up over your ears and reaching toward the wall behind you.

Engaging your core, bring your arms up toward your legs. At the same time, bring your extended legs up and back toward your head.

Reach to touch your knees then lower.

Repeat for 20 reps. Aim to do 3 sets of 20 to start, and work up from there.

Lifestyle changes for weight loss

Beyond diet and exercise, there are other lifestyle changes you can make to aid your weight loss.

Healthy habits tend to have a domino effect. If you can add one or two healthy changes to your routine, it will become easier to add more as time goes on.

Here are some to consider:

Drink plenty of water.

Add more walking into your routine.

Practice mindful eating, and try to eat slower. Taking your time when you eat can help keep you from overeating.

Quit smoking before you try any kind of calorie restriction plan. Quitting smoking will help make your workouts more fun and effective, not to mention the many other health benefits of quitting. Quitting is often difficult, but a doctor can help build a cessation plan right for you.

Get a good night’s sleep whenever possible. Poor sleep increases stress and has been linked to weight gain.

How to get rid of lower belly fat after having a baby

Toning your abdomen after pregnancy may pose additional challenges. Wait until you get clearance from your doctor before jumping into any kind of diet and exercise routine.

It’s not uncommon to have loose skin or an additional fat layer over your belly after pregnancy, especially if you had a cesarean delivery.

During pregnancy, many women gain weight. After delivery, you’ll most likely have an extra layer of fat left as an energy store for breastfeeding and the birth recovery process.

This is part of your body’s natural instinct and is normal. It’s important to be patient with yourself.

You can, for the most part, follow the same protocols as you would before you were pregnant to lose postpartum weight, with a few exceptions.

Don’t restrict calories while you’re breastfeeding. It can reduce your breast milk supply.

If it appears that the muscles in your lower abs have been separated by pregnancy, you may have a condition called diastasis recti.

It can worsen with traditional crunch exercises. Ask your doctor about workouts and physical therapy options if you believe you might have this condition.

Causes of belly fat in males and females

Your sex may have something to do with the reasons why you gain belly fat. Females tend to store fat in the lower belly because of hormones, genetics, and age, and may be difficult to reduce in some cases.

However, everyone should take the same basic approach to lose weight, regardless of sex or gender.

Takeaway

It’s impossible to spot-treat fat and lose it from just one area of your body. Losing weight overall is the only way to lose belly fat in a healthy way.

Toning and tightening your ab muscles with floor exercises, changing your diet, and pursuing healthy habits will all contribute to trimming your waistline.

Having some fat in your belly is normal. After all, fat serves to protect and insulate your body.

However, having too much belly fat may harm your health and increase your risk of developing certain chronic diseases. As such, keeping your total body fat, including your belly fat, at a healthy level can be helpful.

This article outlines the types of belly fat and shares evidence-based tips on how to lose excess belly fat.

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What are the different types of belly fat?

Compared with the rest of your body, only a small amount of fat is located in your belly (1Trusted Source).

There are two main types of belly fat — one is found under your skin and the other is found deeper inside your abdomen, surrounding your internal organs.

Subcutaneous belly fat

Subcutaneous fat, or subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), is the fat that’s found under your skin (2Trusted Source).

Subcutaneous fat is soft, and it’s the fat you see “jiggling” on your belly. In general, women have greater amounts of subcutaneous fat than men (3Trusted Source).

Unlike the fat that’s found deeper in the abdominal cavity, subcutaneous fat isn’t as strongly linked to increased disease risk (3Trusted Source).

However, having too much body fat, in general, including total belly fat, may increase your risk of developing some chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers (1Trusted Source, 4Trusted Source, 5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).

Contrarily, maintaining healthy levels of belly fat and overall body fat may help reduce your risk of developing a chronic disease.

Visceral belly fat

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), or visceral belly fat, is the fat that surrounds internal organs like your kidneys, liver, and pancreas, so it’s much deeper in your abdomen than subcutaneous fat. This is commonly referred to as “harmful” belly fat.

Compared with subcutaneous fat, visceral fat is much more metabolically active. This type of fat contains more cells, blood vessels, and nerves than subcutaneous fat (7Trusted Source).

Visceral fat is strongly linked to increased resistance to the hormone insulin, which regulates your blood sugar levels. Over time, insulin resistance may lead to elevated blood sugar levels and the development of type 2 diabetes (8Trusted Source).

Visceral fat also contributes to systemic inflammation, which may raise your disease risk (9, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).

Men are more likely to accumulate visceral fat than women, which is why men are more likely to develop an “apple-shaped” figure as belly fat grows. On the other hand, women are more likely to develop excess fat in the lower body, leading to a “pear” shape (3Trusted Source).

Interestingly, body fat distribution changes with age. For example, while premenopausal women have higher levels of subcutaneous belly fat, postmenopausal women tend to have higher levels of visceral fat, which contributes to an increased risk of metabolic disease (2Trusted Source).

Also, visceral fat tends to be higher in people of European origin compared with people of other ethnicities (2Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Subcutaneous fat is the soft belly fat that you can poke. It’s found under your skin. Meanwhile, visceral belly fat surrounds the organs in your abdominal cavity and is strongly linked to increased disease risk.

Why excess belly fat may harm health

While having some belly fat is normal and necessary for good health, having too much belly fat may harm your health and increase your disease risk.

Visceral fat is the type of belly fat that’s significantly linked to health concerns.

Even though only 10–20% of total body fat is composed of visceral fat, this type of fat is strongly linked to increased disease risk (13Trusted Source).

This is because visceral fat is “active” fat, meaning it produces hormones and other substances, including inflammatory proteins, which harm your health by increasing insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, blood fat levels, and blood pressure (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).

Visceral fat and your liver

Visceral fat is located near your portal vein, which carries blood from your gastrointestinal tract to your liver for processing. Visceral fat transfers fatty acids, inflammatory proteins, and other dangerous substances to your liver.

As such, visceral fat is associated with liver inflammation and higher amounts of liver fat, which increases your risk of developing conditions like insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).

Total belly fat and disease risk

While subcutaneous belly fat isn’t as strongly linked to disease risk as visceral fat, having high amounts of total belly and body fat is, so it’s essential to focus on reducing overall belly fat, not just the visceral type.

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Studies show that excess body fat accumulation is a major factor in the development of insulin resistance, blood vessel dysfunction, fatty liver, atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries), high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome (19Trusted Source).

Research also suggests that people who have more visceral fat are at a greater risk of several health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic disease, fatty liver, and elevated heart disease risk factors like high blood fat and blood pressure levels (18Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source, 22Trusted Source).

Additionally, a study in over 36,000 people found that those with a higher amount of visceral fat than subcutaneous fat were more likely to die from any cause than those who had lower amounts of visceral fat (23Trusted Source).

Having a larger waist circumference is also strongly linked to increased disease risk. Waist circumference is a way to assess total abdominal fat, so both subcutaneous and visceral fat are contributing factors to this measurement (24Trusted Source).

Studies consistently show that maintaining a healthy waist circumference and reducing waist circumference through diet and exercise leads to significant improvements in many aspects of health, especially heart health and diabetes risk (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source, 27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Visceral fat is strongly linked to increased disease risk. Even though subcutaneous fat isn’t considered as harmful as visceral fat, it’s important to focuses on reducing your total belly fat for optimal health.

Evidence-based, effective ways to lose belly fat

Now that you’re aware of the different types of belly fats and their health effects, you may wonder how you can lose excess belly fat in a safe and sustainable way.

Keep in mind that, although diet and lifestyle play a significant role in belly fat accumulation, factors like your age, sex, and genetics also have an effect.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to lose excess belly fat, and in turn, reduce your risk of many health conditions.

Here are some evidence-based tips to lose belly fat:

Cut out sugary beverages. Drinking too many sugary drinks like soda has been linked to increased visceral fat accumulation and a larger waist circumference. Try swapping sugary drinks with water or sparkling water (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source, 33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).

Get moving. Increasing physical activity may significantly reduce belly fat. Try mixing up your workouts, including high and low intensity aerobic activity, as well as resistance training, all of which have been shown to help reduce belly fat (35Trusted Source, 36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source, 38Trusted Source, 39Trusted Source).

Increase your fiber intake. People who follow high fiber diets tend to have less belly fat than those who don’t. Plus, transitioning to a high fiber diet may help you lose excess belly fat (40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source, 43Trusted Source).

Cut back on ultra-processed foods. Studies show that frequently eating ultra-processed foods like snack foods, sweets, fast food, and refined grain products is linked to a greater waist circumference (44Trusted Source, 45).

Limit alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol may harm your overall health in a number of ways, including contributing to excessive accumulation of belly fat (44Trusted Source, 46Trusted Source, 47Trusted Source, 48Trusted Source).

Don’t skimp on sleep. Poor sleep quality is associated with visceral fat accumulation. Plus, one review including over 56,000 people tied shorter sleep duration to a greater waist circumference (49Trusted Source, 50Trusted Source).

Increase protein intake. Dietary patterns that are higher in protein may help promote belly fat loss. A review including 23,876 people linked higher protein diets to a smaller waist circumference (51Trusted Source).

Fill up on whole foods. Cutting back on ultra-processed foods and eating mostly whole, minimally processed foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and healthy sources of protein and fat may promote overall health and healthy belly fat levels (52Trusted Source).

In addition to the tips listed above, recent research suggests that some people with too much belly fat may benefit from reducing their carb intake.

A 15-week study among 50 middle-age adults with overweight or obesity found that those who were assigned a very low carb, high fat, energy-restricted diet that provided 5% of calories from carbs lost more belly fat, including visceral fat, than those who followed a low fat diet (53Trusted Source).

Interestingly, both diets resulted in similar amounts of weight and total body fat loss, but the low carb, high fat diet was more effective at reducing belly fat, specifically.

Other studies have also found that restricting carbs may help reduce visceral fat among people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS ) (54Trusted Source, 55Trusted Source).

However, diet is highly individualized, and some people may obtain better results with a higher carb intake, particularly if those carbs are consumed as part of a fiber-rich, plant-forward diet that includes whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruit (56).

Working with a knowledgeable healthcare professional like a registered dietitian can help you choose an appropriate dietary pattern that promotes belly fat loss and overall health and meets your specific needs and preferences.

SUMMARY

Belly fat reduction strategies include exercising more, eating more fiber-rich foods, cutting out sugary beverages and ultra-processed foods, and getting enough sleep. Also, consider working with a registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice.

The bottom line

Having excess amounts of belly fat, especially the visceral type, is associated with negative health outcomes, including an increased risk of developing conditions like metabolic disease and fatty liver.

Fortunately, there are many healthy ways to reduce excess belly fat, including increasing your intake of nutrient-dense foods, getting enough sleep, and moving your body more.

Remember that creating healthy, sustainable habits is much more important for your overall well-being than aiming for quick weight loss.

If you need more personalized dietary advice on how to lose excess belly fat and reduce your disease risk, contact a knowledgeable registered dietitian.

Just one thing

Try this today: If you’re trying to lose excess belly fat, focus on incorporating realistic, maintainable habits into your daily routine.

For example, if you’re not currently exercising, start by taking a 15-minute walk every morning or afternoon. Once that becomes a habit, increase your walking time or add another activity that you enjoy.

What drinks cause big belly?

Getting rid of excess belly fat, or abdominal fat, is a common goal for many.

While maintaining a moderate body weight and body fat percentage is important for good health, the type of belly fat you store can influence your health differently.

The two main types are:

visceral

subcutaneous

Visceral refers to fat surrounding the liver and other abdominal organs. Having high levels of visceral fat is associated with an increased risk for chronic disease such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

On the other hand, subcutaneous is the layer of fat that sits directly under the skin. This type is less harmful to health and serves as a layer of protection for your organs as well as insulation to regulate body temperature (1Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

That said, having a high amount of subcutaneous fat is linked with a higher amount of visceral fat, therefore increasing your risk of health problems. Focusing on a health-promoting lifestyle, which helps prevent excessive amounts of both types of fat, is important (4Trusted Source).

Lumina/Stocksy United

Here are 11 factors that can contribute to the development of excess belly fat.

1. Sugary foods and beverages

Many people consume more added sugar daily than they realize.

Common foods in the diet that can be high in added sugar can include baked goods, pastries, muffins, flavored yogurts, breakfast cereals, granola and protein bars, prepackaged foods, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and other processed foods (5Trusted Source).

In particular, a diet high in SSBs (e.g., sodas, specialty coffees, fruit juices, energy drinks) is associated with increased visceral abdominal fat (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

SSBs are the largest contributor of sugar intake in the United States primarily due to their low cost, convenience, and ease of consumption. Unlike food, SSBs can be consumed quickly in large volumes since they require minimal processing (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

As a result, you experience a large intake of calories and sugar, with little to no nutritional value, in a single sitting. For many, it’s not uncommon to consume multiple SSBs in a single day.

For example, drinking two 16 fluid ounce (480 mL) bottles of soda in a day adds up to 384 calories and 104 grams of sugar. This, especially if consumed in addition to many other high-sugar food and drinks, can lead to excessive calorie intake in a day and, ultimately, excess visceral fat (8Trusted Source).

Furthermore, drinking your calories — particularly from SSBs — can lead to a temporary spike in blood sugar followed by a crash, leading to you feeling hungry quickly and needing to drink or eat soon again (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).

Though some claim the high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in SSBs is the main contributor to visceral fat, most research suggests that HFCS and regular sugar (sucrose) both lead to weight gain in a similar way — i.e., by providing excessive calories — rather than playing a unique role in fat storage (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source,13Trusted Source).

While all foods and drinks can be enjoyed in moderation, it’s best to limit sugar-sweetened food and beverages to special occasions. Instead, opt for water, unsweetened coffee/tea, and whole, minimally processed foods most often.

SUMMARY

A diet high in added sugars, especially from sugar-sweetened beverages, may increase belly fat. Most often, stick with water, unsweetened coffee/tea, and eating a diet rich in whole, minimally processed foods.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol can have both healthful and harmful effects.

When consumed in moderate amounts, especially as red wine, it is associated with lower risk of heart disease (11Trusted Source).

However, high alcohol intake may lead to inflammation, liver disease, certain types of cancer, excess weight gain, and many other health problems (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).

Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, or avoiding alcohol completely (16Trusted Source).

Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption is associated with greater visceral fat accumulation and a higher body mass index (BMI) (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

It’s thought that alcohol contributes to belly fat and overall weight gain in a few ways ( 19Trusted Source, 20Trusted Source, 21Trusted Source):

Alcohol contains a high number of calories (7 calories per gram).

Many alcoholic beverages are high in sugar.

Alcohol may increase appetite and decrease inhibitions, leading to greater overall calorie intake.

Alcohol may lead to poorer judgement, resulting in greater consumption of less nutritious foods.

It may alter hormones related to hunger and fullness.

It may decrease fat oxidation, which may spare stored fat. Though more research is needed.

It may increase cortisol, which promotes abdominal fat storage.

A person may be less inclined to be physically active the day of and after drinking.

Alcohol leads to poorer sleep quality, which is associated with greater BMI and fat storage.

A recent review of 127 studies found a significant dose-dependent relationship between alcohol consumption and abdominal fat storage (22Trusted Source).

Other studies have also shown a high alcohol intake (2–3 drinks or more per day) is linked to weight gain including abdominal obesity, especially in men (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source, 26Trusted Source).

If you choose to drink, aim for no more than 1–2 drinks per day.

SUMMARY

High alcohol consumption (greater than two drinks per day) is associated with weight gain and belly fat.

3. Trans fats

Trans fats are the among the unhealthiest fats.

While small amounts of trans fat occur in nature, they’re mainly created for the food system by adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats in order to make them more stable and allow them to be solid at room temperature.

Trans fats are often used in baked products and packaged foods as a cheap — yet effective — replacement for butter, lard, and higher-cost items.

Artificial trans fats have been shown to cause inflammation, which can lead to insulin resistance, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and various other diseases. However, ruminant trans fats, which are found naturally in dairy and meat products, do not have the same negative health effects (27Trusted Source, 28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source, 30Trusted Source).

The American Heart Association recommends severely limiting or completely avoiding artificial trans fats. Many countries, including the United States and Canada, have banned the use of trans fats in food products due to their adverse effects on health (31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source, 33).

Though it’s thought that trans fat may also contribute to visceral fat — and has been attributed to poor health over recent decades — there’s little recent research on the topic (34Trusted Source, 35Trusted Source, 36Trusted Source).

Even with many countries having taken steps to limit or ban the use of artificial trans fats in the food supply, it’s important to still check the nutrition label if you’re unsure.

SUMMARY

Artificial trans fats are strongly linked with poor heart health and may also lead to increased belly fat. Both the US and Canada have banned trans fats in commercial foods.

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4. Sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest risk factors for negative health events. It involves prolonged sitting throughout the day (e.g., watching TV, sitting at a work desk, long commutes, playing video games, etc.) (37, 38).

Even if a person is physically active, meaning they engage in physical labor or exercise, prolonged sitting may increase the risk of negative health events and weight gain (39Trusted Source, 40Trusted Source).

Additionally, research indicates that the majority of children and adults do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. In fact, up to 80% of adults do not meet the recommended aerobic and resistance training recommendations outlined in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source).

This was demonstrated in a landmark survey in the United States that found that there was a significant increase in physical inactivity, weight, and waist circumference in men and women from 1988–2010, suggesting Americans are increasingly becoming less active (43Trusted Source).

To further highlight the negative effect limited activity has on the body, both physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle have been associated with a direct increase in both visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat (44Trusted Source, 45Trusted Source, 46Trusted Source).

Fortunately, engaging in regular physical activity and limiting sitting during the day can lower your risk of increased abdominal fat while supporting weight management (44Trusted Source, 47Trusted Source).

In one study, researchers reported that people who performed resistance or aerobic exercise for 1 year after losing weight were able to prevent regaining visceral fat, while those who did not exercise had a 25–38% increase in belly fat (48Trusted Source).

Another study showed that those who sat for over 8 hours each day (not including sleeping hours) had a 62% increased risk of obesity compared with those who sat for less than 4 hours each day (49Trusted Source).

It’s recommended that most adults aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity) each week and engage in regular resistance training.

Further, try to limit sedentary behaviors and prolonged sitting. If sitting is part of your work, try to incorporate “standing breaks” every 30–90 minutes by standing for 5–10 minutes or taking a quick walk around your office, home or neighborhood.

SUMMARY

A sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity are associated with a number of health risks, including weight gain and increased abdominal fat. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week.

5. Low protein diet

Consuming adequate dietary protein can support weight management.

High protein diets may promote weight loss and prevent weight gain by increasing fullness, since protein takes longer to digest compared to other macronutrients. Protein also supports muscle repair and growth, which contributes to a higher metabolism and more calories burned at rest (50Trusted Source, 51Trusted Source, 52Trusted Source, 53Trusted Source).

Several studies suggest that people who consume the highest amount of protein are the least likely to have excess belly fat (54Trusted Source, 55Trusted Source, 56Trusted Source).

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Interestingly, a recent 2021 study in older men with limited mobility showed protein consumption greater than the RDA (>0.8g/kg/d) was associated with greater reductions in visceral abdominal fat compared with those who only met or consumed below the RDA for protein (57Trusted Source).

To increase your protein intake, try to include a high quality protein source at each meal and snack, such as lean meat, poultry, tofu, eggs, beans, and lentils.

SUMMARY

High protein intake is associated with lower abdominal fat and moderate body weight.

6. Menopause

Gaining belly fat during menopause is extremely common.

At puberty, the hormone estrogen signals the body to begin storing fat on the hips and thighs in preparation for a potential pregnancy. This subcutaneous fat isn’t harmful from a health standpoint, although it can be difficult to lose in some cases (58Trusted Source).

Menopause officially occurs one year after a woman has her last menstrual period. Around this time, estrogen levels drop dramatically. Though menopause affects all women differently, in general it tends to cause fat to be stored in the abdomen, rather than on the hips and thighs.(59Trusted Source, 60Trusted Source, 61Trusted Source, 62Trusted Source) .

While menopause is a completely natural part of the aging process, interventions such as estrogen therapy may lower your risk of abdominal fat storage and its associated health risks (63Trusted Source, 64Trusted Source).

If you have concerns, speak with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian nutritionist.

SUMMARY

Natural hormonal changes during menopause result in a shift in fat storage from the hips and thighs to fat stored around the abdomen.

7. The wrong gut bacteria

Hundreds of types of bacteria live in your gut, mainly in your colon. Some of these bacteria benefit health, while others can cause problems.

Gut bacteria are collectively known as your gut flora or microbiome. Gut health is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and decreasing disease risk.

While the connection between the gut microbiome and health continues to be investigated, current research suggests imbalances in gut bacteria may increase your risk of developing a number of diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and gut disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease) (65Trusted Source, 66Trusted Source, 67Trusted Source).

There’s also some research suggesting that having an unhealthy balance of gut bacteria may promote weight gain, including abdominal fat. In particular, having a higher ratio of Firmicutes bacteria to Bacteroidetes is associated with higher weight and visceral fat (68Trusted Source, 69Trusted Source, 70Trusted Source, 71Trusted Source).

It’s thought that changes in bacteria diversity may lead to changes in energy and nutrient metabolism, stimulate inflammation, and alter hormone regulation, leading to weight gain. That said, further research into this topic is needed (72Trusted Source, 73Trusted Source, 74Trusted Source, 75Trusted Source).

One randomized, double-blind 12-week study in postmenopausal women with obesity showed that taking a probiotic containing five strains of “good” bacteria led to significant reductions in body fat percentage and visceral fat. However, the small group size and uncontrolled diet posed limitations (76Trusted Source).

Further, a 2018 review of studies involving 957 people showed probiotic supplementation was significantly associated with lower BMI, body fat percentage, and visceral fat. The effect sizes were small, meaning the results may not be clinically meaningful (77Trusted Source).

While there appears to be a relationship between gut microbiome diversity and visceral fat, more research is needed to best understand its relationship and which interventions and probiotic strains may be most effective.

Additionally, in general, eating a low fiber diet high in sugar and saturated fat tends to be linked to unhealthy gut bacteria, whereas a fiber-dense diet rich in fruits and vegetables and whole, minimally processed foods seems to create a healthy gut (78Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Changes in bacteria diversity in the gut may be associated with higher weight and visceral fat.

8. Stress and cortisol

Cortisol is a hormone that’s essential for survival.

It’s produced by the adrenal glands and is known as a “stress hormone” because it helps your body respond to a physical or psychological threat or stressor (79Trusted Source).

Today, most people experience chronic, low-grade stress rather than acute stress from an immediate threat (e.g., running from a predator). The main stressors are psychological stress and behaviors that increase the risk of negative health events (e.g., highly processed diets, physical inactivity, poor sleep).

Unfortunately, chronic stress can lead to the accumulation of visceral fat and make it hard to lose as it can increase production of cortisol in excess. Furthermore, higher levels of cortisol in regard to food may lead some to choose high-calorie foods for comfort, which can lead to unwanted weight gain. (80Trusted Source, 81Trusted Source).

This can lead to overconsumption of foods high in fat and sugar, which are quick and dense forms of energy, to prepare the body for the perceived threat. Nowadays with chronic stress, this food is now used for comfort which can lead to overeating and eventually weight gain (82Trusted Source).

Additionally, chronic stress can affect other lifestyle behaviors that may lead to weight gain, such as negative coping behaviors (e.g., substance abuse), poor sleep quality, sedentary behaviors, and physical inactivity (83Trusted Source).

The relationship between stress and weight gain also seems to work in reverse, whereby having excess abdominal fat itself can increase cortisol levels, driving a negative cycle of chronic stress in the body (84Trusted Source).

Therefore, managing your stress through health-promoting lifestyle behaviors (e.g., nutrient-dense diet, regular exercise, meditation, addressing mental health) and working with a healthcare professional should be a priority (85Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

The hormone cortisol, which is secreted in response to stress, may lead to increased abdominal fat when in excess. Practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors is a key component of managing chronic stress and keeping cortisol levels in check.

9. Low fiber diet

Fiber is incredibly important for optimal health and weight management.

Some types of fiber can help you feel full, stabilize hunger hormones, and manage hunger (86).

In an observational study involving 1,114 men and women, soluble fiber intake was associated with reduced abdominal fat. For each 10-gram increase in soluble fiber, there was a 3.7% decrease in belly fat accumulation (87Trusted Source).

Diets high in refined carbs and low in fiber appear to have the opposite effect on appetite and weight gain, including increases in belly fat (88Trusted Source).

One large study involving 2,854 adults found that high-fiber whole grains were associated with reduced abdominal fat, while refined grains were linked to increased abdominal fat (89Trusted Source).

Foods high in fiber include:

beans

lentils

whole grains

oats

vegetables

fruit

plain popcorn

nuts

seeds

SUMMARY

A diet that’s low in fiber and high in refined grains may increase risk for weight gain and higher levels of belly fat.

10. Genetics

Genes play a major role in the risk of developing obesity (90Trusted Source).

Similarly, it appears that the tendency to store fat in the abdomen versus other parts of the body, is partly influenced by genetics (91Trusted Source, 92Trusted Source).

Interestingly, recent research has started to identify single genes associated with obesity. For example, certain genes may influence the release and action of leptin, a hormone responsible for appetite regulation and weight management (93Trusted Source, 94Trusted Source, 95Trusted Source, 96Trusted Source).

While promising, much more research needs to be conducted in this area.

SUMMARY

Though more research is needed, genetics may play a role in where we store fat in the body, including increased risk for abdominal fat accumulation.

11. Not enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for your health.

Many studies have linked inadequate sleep with weight gain, which may include abdominal fat (97Trusted Source, 98Trusted Source, 99Trusted Source, 100Trusted Source).

There are many potential causes of weight gain from lack of sleep, including increased food intake to compensate for lack of energy, changes in hunger hormones, inflammation, and lack of physical activity due to tiredness (101Trusted Source).

For example, those with inadequate sleep are more likely to select low-nutrient options (e.g., foods high in sugar and fat) and consume more calories daily than those who get enough sleep each night (102Trusted Source).

What’s more, sleep disorders may also lead to weight gain. One of the most common disorders, sleep apnea, is a condition in which breathing stops repeatedly during the night due to soft tissue in the throat blocking the airway (103Trusted Source, 104Trusted Source).

However, lack of sleep and weight gain present a “chicken or the egg” scenario. While sleep deprivation appears to contribute to weight gain, higher BMIs can lead to sleep issues and sleep disorders (105Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Short sleep or low-quality sleep may lead to weight gain, including belly fat accumulation.

The bottom line

Many different factors can increase the likelihood of gaining excess belly fat.

There are a few that you can’t do much about, like your genes and natural hormone changes at menopause. But there are also many factors you do have the ability to manage.

Making health-promoting choices about what to eat and what to avoid, how much you exercise, and how you manage stress can all help you lose belly fat and manage the associated health risks.

How can I make my tummy flat in 3 days?

A garden bistro set will give you a cosy spot to sit outside and enjoy a meal or your morning coffee, even if your home’s only outside space is a petite balcony or patio area.

These bijou furniture sets create a sweet, intimate feel in situ. There are plenty of collapsible options that fold neatly away when the weather turns, and those with stackable chairs that can be easily tucked away in a corner, or your shed, when not in use. Of course, a bistro set can also work in a big garden – a well-placed set-up in a corner can help zone larger spaces and create a cosy nook for al fresco dining.

From on-trend rattan and egg-shaped sets to stylish mosaic and metal designs, we’ve found something for all tastes and budgets. Scroll down to see Prima’s edit on the very best garden bistro sets for summer 2022.

BEST BISTRO SETS: COLOURFUL

Rive Droite Bistro Set

gardentrading.co.uk

£160.00

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Add a pop of colour to your patio with this sweet bistro set. It’s available in a variety of shades, but the summery lemon yellow is our favourite. Pair it with the matching tray table, if you need more room for snacks.

Size: H80cm x W41cm x D46cm (chairs); H71cm x D60cm; (table)

BEST BISTRO SETS: EGG CHAIR

Grey Egg Chair Bistro Set

dunelm.com

£259.00

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Egg chairs continue to be a really popular garden trend as we come into summer 2022, so we can’t resist this chic option. With its minimal dusty grey finish, it should happily suit most decor schemes.

Size: H90cm x W75cm x D75cm x (chairs); H50cm x D50cm (table)

BEST BISTRO SETS: SCALLOPED

Scalloped 2 Seater Metal Bistro Set

Dunelm

dunelm.com

£139.00

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Homeware with scalloped edges is another big trend right now, so we’re a big fan of this pretty pink set. It’ll make the perfect spot for evening meals with your partner – and a glass or two of wine.

Size: H90cm x W39.5cm x D39.5cm (chairs); H71cm x D61cm (table)

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BEST BISTRO SETS: MOSAIC

2 Seater Bistro Table & Chairs

Marks and Spencer

marksandspencer.com

£399.00

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With intricate mosaic detailing, this smart set transports us straight to the Italian riviera (well, almost). For bigger spaces, there’s a four seater option in the same style.

Size: H97cm x W55cm x D53.5 cm (chairs); H71cm x W76cm x D76 cm (table)

BEST BISTRO SETS: ROCKING CHAIRS

3 Piece Rocker Bistro Set - Yellow

robertdyas.co.uk

£299.99

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To up your relaxation levels, pop this colourful rocking chair combo in your garden – it will provide a peaceful spot to sit and enjoy a post-lunch snooze. It’s currently on sale for £299, reduced from £349.99, and you can choose from four colours depending on your scheme.

BEST BISTRO SETS: WROUGHT IRON SET

Wrought Iron Bistro Set

Charles Bentley

wilko.com

£200.00

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This elegant sage green design will help to lighten up any outdoor space. We’d style it with pastel coloured cushions and a muted outdoor rug.

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Size: H90cm x W44.5cm x D55cm (chairs); H75cm x D70cm (table)

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BEST BISTRO SETS: BAR SET

2 Seater Bamboo Bar Bistro Set

Habitat

argos.co.uk

£250.00

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Here’s a sophisticated option to finish off your garden bar properly. The fashionable poly rattan finish feels very boho.

Size: H100cm x W50.5cm x D61cm (chairs); H100cm x D70cm (table)

BEST BISTRO SETS: BALCONY SET

2-Seater Garden Dining Set

John Lewis & Partners

johnlewis.com

£499.00

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This wooden set is pretty pricey, but it’s super stylish and has a really fresh feel in comparison to traditional bistro sets. The seats tuck neatly underneath the table to maximise on space, as well.

Size: H71.3cm x W56.5cm x D54.5cm (chairs); H75cm x W110cm x D67cm (table)

BEST BISTRO SETS: FOR THE FAMILY

Nordic Spring 4 Seater Bistro Set

Habitat

argos.co.uk

£300.00

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This is something a bit different to the typical bistro set. With two chairs and a spacious sofa, it’s ideal if you’re looking for something that’ll suit the whole family.

Size: H79cm x W125.5cm x D68cm (sofa); H79cm x W74.5cm x D68cm (chairs); H36cm x W50cm x L92.5cm (table)

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BEST BISTRO SETS: FOR DRINKS

Innovators Botanical Metal Bistro Set

qvcuk.com

£210.00

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With a 60s-style floral frame, this will add a retro flair to your garden. The mini side table will provide a spot for your after work cocktails, too. It’s also available in a light grey hue and you can swap the flower design for a circular pattern.

BEST BISTRO SETS: PLASTIC

Garden Furniture Bistro Set

Sekey

amazon.co.uk

£94.99

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This isn’t the most stylish set in the world, but it’s a good budget option. Plus, if you're looking for something fuss-free, plastic sets are super easy to keep clean. Just give it a wipe down with warm soapy water and any grime should come right off.

BEST BISTRO SETS: WOVEN SET

Woven Rope Bistro Set

Cox and Cox

coxandcox.co.uk

£695.00

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This bistro set may be expensive, but it does look really smart. The gorgeous woven frame and plump ivory cushions give it an airy Scandinavian feel.

Size: H78cm x W62cm x D69cm (chairs); H68cm x D60cm (table)

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BEST BISTRO SETS: RATTAN

Rattan Effect Bistro Set

robertdyas.co.uk

£349.99

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Well, this set looks cosy. With squishy cushions and matching footrests, it’ll offer a comfortable place for you to relax and enjoy your morning coffee. The footrests fit snugly under the chairs too, so you can keep your home’s outside space looking neat. It’s currently reduced to £399.99 from £799.99 – that’s an impressive £400 saving!

Size:H82cm x W62cm x D72cm (chairs); H40cm x W43cm x D43cm (table); H36cm x W45cm x D45cm (footstool)

BEST BISTRO SETS: MODERN

Soriano Garden Bistro Set

Made

made.com

£225.00

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For a modern look, this industrial-style design is ideal. It’s available in four colours (sage green, dusty grey, terracotta and lemon yellow) and is currently on sale, as well.

Size: H70.5 x W52 x D50.8 cm (chairs); H75cm x W92cm x D53 (table)

BEST BISTRO SETS: WOODEN

Wooden Bistro Set

JYSK

jysk.co.uk

£305.00

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This smooth teak bistro set is ideal if you’d prefer a classic style. To brighten it up, just add some bold seat pads. Right now, it’s reduced by 27% from £419.97 to £305.

Size: H46 (chairs); H74 cm x W70cm x L70 cm (table)

You’ve likely heard that limiting the amount of added sugar in your diet is important for your health.

People who regularly consume sodas may try switching to sodas made with artificial, or non-nutritive, sweeteners, to reduce their added sugar intake.

These alternatives make products taste sweet but don’t lead to the blood sugar increases that traditional sugar may cause.

Diet drinks are a way to avoid added sugars in beverages, but more recently, sodas with “zero” in their name have hit the market alongside them. Coca-Cola is a popular example of a brand with both “diet” and “zero” varieties.

If you’re wondering about the differences between Coke Zero and Diet Coke — and how to determine which is a better choice for you — read on.

Nutrition facts and ingredients of Coke Zero and Diet Coke

Below are the ingredients and nutrition facts for both Coke Zero and Diet Coke. In this section, we’ll break down some of the key differences and similarities you may want to consider.

Coke Zero nutrition facts

Coke Zero’s ingredients include:

carbonated water

caramel color

phosphoric acid

aspartame

potassium benzoate (to protect taste)

natural flavors

potassium citrate

acesulfame potassium

caffeine

It also contains the amino acid phenylalanine, so people with phenylketonuria (PKU) should avoid it.

A 12-ounce (355-mL) serving of Coke Zero provides:

Calories: 0

Total fat: 0 grams

Sodium: 40 mg

Total carbohydrates: 0 grams

Total sugars: 0 grams

Protein: 0 grams

Potassium: 60 mg

Caffeine: 34 mg

Coke Zero contains no added sugars since it uses artificial sweeteners instead. It comes in a variety of flavors, including cherry, cherry vanilla, orange vanilla, and vanilla. Caffeine-free Coke Zero is also available.

Diet Coke nutrition facts

Diet Coke’s ingredients include:

carbonated water

caramel color

aspartame

phosphoric acid

potassium benzoate (to protect taste)

natural flavors

citric acid

caffeine

Like Coke Zero, Diet Coke contains the amino acid phenylalanine, so people with PKU should avoid it.

A 12-ounce (355-mL) serving of Diet Coke provides:

Calories: 0

Total fat: 0 grams

Sodium: 40 mg

Total carbohydrate: 0 grams

Total sugars: 0 grams

Protein: 0 grams

Caffeine: 46 mg

Diet Coke contains no added sugars since it uses artificial sweeteners instead. Regular Diet Coke uses aspartame, but you can also purchase a variety of Diet Coke that’s made with Splenda, a brand of sucralose.

Flavor varieties of Diet Coke include ginger lime and feisty cherry. Like Coke Zero, Diet Coke also comes in a caffeine-free version.

Key differences between Coke Zero and Diet Coke

These products are essentially the same, especially in regards to their main selling point: not containing sugar.

What differs between the two is the type of sweetener they contain, as well as their caffeine content, although these two differences are still unlikely to be significant to most people.

While Diet Coke uses aspartame as its sweetening agent, Coke Zero uses both aspartame and acesulfame potassium, also called “Ace K” or “acesulfame K.”

Acesulfame potassium is another calorie-free sweetener that passes through the body without raising blood sugar levels.

Per Diet Coke’s ingredient label, its primary sweetener is aspartame, and since ingredients are listed in order by weight, it’s reasonable to assume that it contains much less acesulfame potassium. This means that these drinks are quite similar in terms of ingredients (1Trusted Source).

The other key difference is caffeine content. Coke Zero has less caffeine than Diet Coke. However, both beverages are well below the recommended daily caffeine limit of 400 mg per day for adults (2Trusted Source).

One debatable difference is the taste of these two drinks. Some say they cannot taste a difference, while others swear by either Diet Coke or Coke Zero as tasting closest to the “real deal.”

SUMMARY

Coke Zero has less caffeine than Diet Coke. It also uses an additional sweetener, acesulfame potassium, that Diet Coke doesn’t. Overall, their ingredient contents and nutritional profiles are similar.

Taste comparison

As of late, Coca-Cola writes on its website and in its most recent marketing materials that it has developed a new recipe for Coke Zero. The company doesn’t go into detail about how it has changed but maintains that it “has more real Coca-Cola flavor, still without any sugar” (3).

Coke Zero has a slightly different aftertaste than Diet Coke, likely due to its acesulfame potassium. Diet Coke tastes more like regular Coke to many people. However, for some, it’s the reverse.

Neither tastes just like the original Coca-Cola. Depending on multiple factors — like whether you get it from a beverage fountain, in a can, or in a bottle — each type may have a slightly different taste.

SUMMARY

The flavor difference between Coke Zero and Diet Coke is slight, with both drinks tasting different from regular Coke but overall similar. Still, some may find they prefer one over the other.

Potential side effects

For most, not many harmful side effects come from drinking carbonated beverages in moderation.

However, caffeine and artificial sweeteners may negatively affect some people, even at moderate intake levels.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that adults have no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day.

That’s about 4 cups of coffee, or nine or eleven 12-ounce (355-mL) cans of Diet Coke or Coke Zero, respectively. So, you’re unlikely to exceed the limit by drinking these sodas in moderation (2Trusted Source).

If you’re highly sensitive to caffeine, though, you may want to watch your intake of these beverages. Otherwise, they contain a relatively low amount of caffeine.

Aspartame may cause headaches for some people, according to the American Migraine Foundation. While this effect may vary, it’s good to know ahead of time so you can connect the dots if you start experiencing headaches after drinking these beverages (4).

In addition, some studies have indicated that aspartame may be carcinogenic, but other data contradicts this. More long-term, high quality human studies are needed before we can connect aspartame to cancer (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).

Those who take a more cautious approach to ingredients in foods may want to avoid aspartame, and that’s OK. However, it’s worth noting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers aspartame safe (7Trusted Source).

Similarly to aspartame, acesulfame potassium has been evaluated for potential carcinogenic effects in both older and more recent studies. Again, however, the evidence is unclear, and more long-term, high quality human studies are needed (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

Acesulfame potassium is also FDA-approved (7Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

The sweeteners in Coke Zero and Diet Coke — acesulfame potassium and aspartame — have been evaluated for potential negative health effects. However, both sweeteners are FDA-approved. Additionally, the caffeine content of both sodas is low.

Which is a better choice?

There are very few differences between Diet Coke and Coke Zero. As such, there is no concrete, measurable reason to suggest that one is superior to the other.

Nutritionally, there are no significant differences. Their ingredient and caffeine contents are similar as well, so neither is healthier than the other.

Remember that diet soda is not considered a healthy drink. It’s a fun treat that can be consumed in moderation — and switching from original sodas to diet ones is a great starting place if you’re trying to cut back on added sugars.

Whichever you choose will depend largely on which tastes better to you. Coke Zero has been said to taste more like regular Coke, but some people feel differently and even prefer Diet Coke over regular Coke.

SUMMARY

The best choice will depend on your taste preferences. There are no significant differences nutritionally between Coke Zero and Diet Coke.

Tips for reducing diet soda intake

With the conflicting evidence surrounding artificial sweeteners, you may be wondering how you can get your fizzy fix while limiting your artificial sweetener intake.

Here are some ideas you can try:

Flavored waters. Calorie-free flavored waters can be refreshing and hydrating. Consider them as a healthy addition to your fridge or cooler.

Kombucha. This probiotic-filled beverage promotes healthy gut bacteria and is naturally fizzy due to the fermentation process. Most kombuchas have less sugar than regular sodas, but compare labels to ensure you’re not overdoing it on added sugars.

Probiotic sodas. Some brands of probiotic “soda” are similar to kombucha. They’re designed to taste similar to soda but have far less sugar. Their benefits are similar to those of kombucha due to the probiotics.

Stevia sodas. Several brands of fizzy drinks mimic popular soda flavors and contain no artificial sweeteners. Instead, these sodas use plant-based alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit. They still taste similar to soda but have no sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Sparkling water. If it’s fizz you’re after rather than the sweetness, sparkling waters may come to your rescue. While they’re not always sweet, they still provide carbonation without any sugar or artificial sweeteners.

SUMMARY

There are many alternatives to diet or zero sugar sodas. Kombucha, sparkling water, and sodas sweetened with plant-based alternative sweeteners are all similar in flavor without containing artificial sugars.

The bottom line

If you want to limit added sugars, sodas made with artificial sweeteners — like Diet Coke and Coke Zero — may seem like a good choice.

While some of the artificial sweeteners in these two drinks have faced controversy over their potential negative health effects, consuming either beverage in moderation should not be a concern, especially when compared with the negative effects of their sugar-laden alternative.

Coke Zero and Diet Coke are essentially the same nutritionally. They differ mostly in their flavor.

If you decide you want to limit added sugars and non-nutritive sweeteners, kombucha or a probiotic soda may be good alternatives.

How much Coke a day is OK?

Coca-Cola Classic — commonly simply referred to as Coke — and Diet Coke are popular beverages around the world.

However, soft drink consumption has been associated with many health concerns, ranging from weight gain to high blood sugar (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

Not only that, but Coke and Diet Coke also contain a hearty dose of caffeine, which can be problematic for those looking to cut down their caffeine consumption.

This article compares the caffeine contents of Coke, Diet Coke and other beverages and tells you how it could affect your health.

What Is Caffeine?

Caffeine is a naturally-occurring chemical that acts as a central nervous system stimulant, enhancing alertness and fighting off fatigue.

It can be found in the leaves, seeds and fruits of many plants and is especially prevalent in cocoa beans, tea leaves and coffee beans (3).

It’s also commonly added to many products, including soft drinks, energy drinks and certain over-the-counter medications.

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Nowadays, caffeine tops the charts as one of the most commonly consumed ingredients around the world (4Trusted Source).

In fact, it’s estimated that 85% of the US population consumes at least one caffeinated beverage per day, with an average daily intake of 165 mg of caffeine.

While coffee accounts for the majority of caffeine intake across the board, carbonated soft drinks like Coke make up a high proportion of the intake in those younger than 18 (5Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in many products including coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks and over-the-counter medications. Soft drinks account for a higher proportion of the intake in people younger than 18.

How Much Caffeine Is in Coke and Diet Coke?

The caffeine content of Coke products depends on several factors, including the serving size and type of drink (6):

7.5-ounce (222-ml) can 12-ounce (355-ml) can 20-ounce (591-ml) bottle

Coke 21 mg caffeine 32 mg caffeine 53 mg caffeine

Diet Coke 28 mg caffeine 42 mg caffeine 70 mg caffeine

Decaffeinated varieties, such as caffeine-free Coca-Cola, are also available for those looking to cut their caffeine intake.

SUMMARY

Coke contains 32 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce (335-ml) serving. Diet Coke is higher in caffeine, with about 42 mg per 12 ounces (335 ml).

How the Caffeine in Coke Compares

Ounce for ounce, the amounts of caffeine in Coke and Diet Coke are significantly lower than most other caffeinated beverages including energy drinks, coffee and green tea (4Trusted Source, 7, 8):

Serving size Caffeine content

Coke 7.5 ounces (222 ml) 21 mg

Diet Coke 7.5 ounces (222 ml) 28 mg

Green tea 8 ounces (237 ml) 35 mg

Energy drinks 8.3 ounces (245 ml) 77 mg

Coffee 8 ounces (237 ml) 95 mg

Keep in mind, however, that the caffeine content varies for these drinks based on different factors, including brand, ingredients and specific type of beverage.

SUMMARY

Coke and Diet Coke are generally lower in caffeine than other caffeinated beverages, including energy drinks, coffee and tea.

Why Caffeine Intake Matters for Some

Caffeine consumption can have several benefits for your health.

In particular, research shows that it may increase metabolism, improve exercise performance and boost alertness (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source).

However, it can also come with negative side effects, especially for people who are sensitive to its effects.

Caffeine can be addictive, and some research indicates that genetic variations could cause people to respond differently to it (12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source).

Caffeine intake has also been shown to affect mental health, with one study in 2,307 children associating increased caffeine consumption with higher levels of perceived anxiety and depression (14Trusted Source).

Excess intake can also cause other side effects, including headaches, high blood pressure and sleep disturbances (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source).

Additionally, it’s recommended that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding limit their caffeine intake, as it may be linked to a higher risk of miscarriage and low birth weight (18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Caffeine consumption has been linked to improvements in metabolism, exercise performance and alertness. However, it can also be addictive and may cause a wide range of side effects in some people.

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

When consumed in moderation, caffeine can be used safely with minimal risk of side effects.

In fact, doses up to 400 mg daily are considered safe for most adults (20Trusted Source).

Ideally, though, it’s best to limit your intake to around 200 mg daily to reduce your risk of side effects.

For reference, this equals just two 8-ounce (237-ml) cups of coffee or around five 8-ounce (237-ml) cups of green tea.

However, you would need to drink more than six 12-ounce (355-ml) cans of Coke or four 12-ounce (355-ml) cans of Diet Coke per day to reach this amount.

SUMMARY

400 mg of caffeine daily is considered safe for most adults, but cutting your intake to 200 mg daily can help reduce your risk of adverse side effects.

The Bottom Line

Coke and Diet Coke contain 32 and 42 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces (335 ml) respectively, which is lower than other caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and energy drinks.

However, they’re often high in sugar and other unhealthy ingredients, so keep your intake to a minimum to promote better health.

Instead, opt for other natural sources of caffeine in moderation, such as coffee or tea, to maximize the potential health benefits.

Is Pepsi healthier than Coke?

Pretty much everyone has a preference between Coke and Pepsi, even though most people can't tell the difference.

So what is the difference?

"Pepsi is sweeter than Coke, so right away it had a big advantage in a sip test. Pepsi is also characterized by a citrusy flavor burst, unlike the more raisiny-vanilla taste of Coke. But that burst tends to dissipate over the course of an entire can, and that is another reason Coke suffered by comparison. Pepsi, in short, is a drink built to shine in a sip test," writes Malcolm Gladwell in Blink, explaining why Pepsi tends to win the Pepsi Challenge.

Turning to nutritional content, Pepsi has slightly more sugar, calories, and caffeine. Coke has slightly more sodium.

There are also mysterious differences in the natural flavors included in each drink.

Despite these differences, most people can't tell the difference, according to a study by Samuel McClure and Read Montague: "Coke and Pepsi are special in that, while they have very similar chemical composition, people maintain strong behavioral preferences for one over the other. We initially measured these behavioral preferences objectively, by administering double-blind taste tests. We found that subjects split equally in their preferences for Coke and Pepsi in the absence of brand information."

What really matters is branding, and Coke's brand is more valuable. That's why Coke is winning the Cola Wars.

In 2011, Coke brand held 17 percent of the US soda market, followed by Diet Coke at 9.6 percent and Pepsi at 9.2 percent, according to Beverage Digest. Meanwhile Diet Pepsi languishes at 4.9 percent after a dearth of ad spending.

People consider sugary drinks to be a significant contributor to many health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. Research has shown that drinking a can of Coca-Cola can have damaging effects on the body within an hour.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of the United States populationTrusted Source will drink at least one sugary beverage on any given day. Young adults are the most regular consumers of sugary drinks.

There are 37 gramsTrusted Source (g) of added sugar, which equates to almost 10 teaspoons (tsp), in a single can of cola.

For optimal health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend consuming no more than 6 tsp of added sugarTrusted Source daily. By drinking just one serving of cola a day, a person will easily exceed this amount.

A 2015 studyTrusted Source attributed 184,000 global deaths each year to the consumption of sugary drinks.

In this article, we look at the effects of cola on the body.

Effects on the body

The sugar in Coca-Cola can contribute to many health conditions.

An infographic by the British pharmacist Niraj Naik shows the damage that a 330 milliliter (ml) can of Coca-Cola can inflict on the body within 1 hour of consumption. Naik based the infographic on research by health writer Wade Meredith.

According to Naik, the intense sweetness of Coca-Cola resulting from its high sugar content should make a person vomit as soon as it enters the body. However, the phosphoric acid in the beverage dulls the sweetness, enabling people to keep the drink down.

Blood sugar levels increase dramatically within 20 minutes of drinking the cola, explains Naik, causing a burst of insulin. The liver then turns the high amounts of sugar into fat.

Effects similar to heroin

Within 40 minutes, the body has absorbed all of the caffeine from the cola. This caffeine causes the pupils to dilate and the blood pressure to increase. By this point, the Coca-Cola has blocked the adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing drowsiness.

Just 5 minutes later, the production of dopamine has increased. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. According to the infographic, the way that Coca-Cola stimulates these centers is comparable to the effects of heroin. It triggers a person’s urge to drink another can.

An hour after drinking the beverage, a sugar crash will begin, causing irritability and drowsiness. The body will have cleared the water from the cola, along with vital nutrients, in the urine.

According to Naik, the infographic applies not only to Coca-Cola but to all caffeinated fizzy drinks.

“Coke is not just high in high fructose corn syrup, but it is also packed with refined salts and caffeine,” writes Naik on his blog, The Renegade Pharmacist.

“Regular consumption of these ingredients in the high quantities you find in Coke and other processed foods and drinks can lead to higher blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. […] However, a small amount now and then won’t do any major harm. The key is moderation!”

In a press statement, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola says that the beverage is “perfectly safe to drink and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle.”

Recent research

In 2018, a mini literature reviewTrusted Source highlighted more ways in which sugary drinks can affect health.

The review authors examined the effects of sugar sweetened beverages on the brain. They found that these drinks increased levels of certain compounds and chemicals that interfered with brain activity, increasing the risk of stroke and dementia.

They also found that regularly consuming sugary drinks may affect the quality and duration of a person’s sleep cycle. Some compounds also had effects on memory and motor coordination, which may contribute to the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

However, many of the studies in this review took place in rats. The full extent of the effects of sugary drinks on humans is not yet clear.

The authors of a 2018 studyTrusted Source involving 2,019 participants found that they could not even rule out the consumption of diet sodas as a risk factor for diabetes. They note that their findings support the suggestion that sugar-sweetened beverages, such as cola, play a role in the development of this chronic disease.

A 2016 studyTrusted Source on rats found that the rodents that drank Coca-Cola showed signs of decreased kidney and liver function in comparison with the rats that did not drink soda.

Again, further research would be necessary to confirm the effects of Coca-Cola in humans.

Here, learn about the sugar content of a range of popular foods and drinks.

Summary

Research has confirmed many risks of regularly consuming Coca-Cola and other sugary drinks.

These beverages increase blood sugar levels rapidly and affect the pleasure centers of the brain in a similar way as heroin. More recent research adds to the evidence of a link between sugary drinks and diabetes and seems to confirm the adverse effects of these drinks on brain, kidney, and liver activity.

However, consuming Coca-Cola and sugar-sweetened beverages in moderation is unlikely to have a severe effect on health.

What can I drink instead of soda?

By swapping soda out for a low sugar alternative, you can not only reduce your sugar intake, but by making the right choices, you can also add many beneficial antioxidants to your diet.

Try unsweetened iced tea, iced coffee, or fruit infused water, or blend the two and have a fruit-infused iced tea. Add a splash of fruit juice to sparkling water or seltzer or try some coconut water without added sugar for a sweet treat.

Homemade smoothies with no added sugar are always a fun addition to a healthful diet, but remember that variety is the key to keeping things interesting.

Is drinking Coca-Cola good for health?

Soda is not good for a person’s health because it contains lots of sugar. Consuming too much soda may lead to weight gain, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, most people in America consume too many added sugars, which can lead to health problems.

This article discusses why soda is bad for a person’s health and suggests alternative drinks that a person can choose from.

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Is soda bad for health?

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According to the CDCTrusted Source, soda is not good for a person’s health, primarily because of its sugar content. Too much sugar can have adverse effects on a person’s health.

According to one source, a typical 12-ounce (oz) can of soda contains 29.4 to 42 grams (g) of sugar., which is equivalent to 7–10 teaspoons (tsp).

Health effects on the body

The CDCTrusted Source also state that consuming a lot of beverages sweetened with sugar can lead to:

weight gain

having obesity

type 2 diabetes

heart disease

kidney disease

non-alcoholic liver disease

gout

Research conducted in 2018 found that people who regularly drink soda have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes than people who do not drink soda.

According to Harvard Health, soda can cause weight gain. This can occur due to a variety of reasons.

Soda does not make a person feel full in the same way that consuming the same amount of calories from solid food would. Some people may continue eating despite consuming a high-calorie drink.

Additionally, sweet-tasting drinks may increase the appetite for other foods that are high in calories.

Soda can also cause tooth decay. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), sugary drinks are a leading cause of tooth decay.

When the bacteria in the mouth break down the sugar, it produces acid, which can dissolve the surface of the tooth.

Is diet soda bad for health?

Diet soda is also unhealthful. Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame or saccharin.

Research conducted in 2018 supported the notion that soda is a risk factor for diabetes. The study also found that switching to diet soda does not lower the risk of developing diabetes. It may even be an independent risk factor.

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Additionally, 2019 researchTrusted Source tested the effect of low-calorie soda on tooth enamel. The research found that both regular and low-calorie sodas that contained sweeteners had adverse effects on tooth enamel.

Is carbonated water bad for you?

The CDC Trusted Sourceendorses sparkling water as an alternative to sugary drinks, such as soda. However, always make sure that the sparkling water does not contain sugar or other sweeteners.

Drinking carbonated water can help people stop consuming soda. Carbonated water does not have to be flavorless. Options are available that contain added fruit flavors and minerals.

Always check the label and choose the varieties that do not contain added sugars, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, or sodium.

Alternatives to soda

Experts point out that the best choice for satisfying thirst is water.

Water is good for a person’s overall health. It can help the body to:

maintain a good temperature

lubricate joints

get rid of waste via urination, bowel movements, and sweat

prevent kidney stones

To help people consume more water, the CDCTrusted Source recommend:

keeping a bottle of cold water in the refrigerator

adding a wedge of lime, cucumber, lemon, or watermelon for additional flavor

carrying a reusable water bottle during the day and fill it up as needed

Fruit juice is a possible option. However, it also contains a lot of sugar, so it is essential not to consume too much. As an alternative to soda, try adding a quarter or half a cup of 100% fruit juice to some plain sparkling water.

A person can also consume the following in moderation:

plain coffee

plain tea

sparkling water

seltzer

unsweetened flavored waters

Always read the labels to ensure that the beverages containing added sugar.

The CDC note that added sugars should make up less than 10%Trusted Source of a person’s total daily calories. Additionally, those under the age of 2 should not consume food or drink that contains any added sugars.

Summary

Soda is bad for a person’s health. Widespread evidence indicates that sugar-sweetened and diet soda can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.

Alternatives to soda are widely available. They include water, milk, coffee, tea, and even fruit juices in moderation.

Paying attention to nutritional information can help people select beverages that are better for their health.

Can you cook Coca-Cola?

Coca-Cola is the undisputed bottled beverage king of the South. Headquartered in Atlanta, the soft drink juggernaut enjoys such popularity that it even finds its way into some of our favorite foods.

From more common applications like chocolate cake to intriguing options like marinades for beef and pork, the sweetness and effervescence of the sugary soda enhances a variety of dishes. But here’s the thing — it doesn’t work everywhere. We’ve found recipes online for Coke-infused desserts that did nothing to complement the soda, or the dessert, for that matter. With these tests in mind, here are some dos, don’ts and, of course, recipes for incorporating the South’s favorite soda in your next meal.

Do: Use it as a braising liquid

Coca-Cola can easily become your new favorite ingredient when you’re cooking large cuts of meat. Adding the soda to a traditional braise in place of red wine swaps out some of wine’s tannic qualities for a subtle sweetness, which is perfect for cuts like brisket and pot roast. Reduce the cooking liquid after removing the meat to further intensify the spiced flavors of the soda and to create a more refined sauce for your finished dish.

If you’re more a fan of grilled meats (or you’re reading this story in warmer weather), dazzle your guests with an unexpected side dish of sweet onions simmered in Coke. The cola adds depth of flavor to the onions themselves, hurries along the caramelization process (hello, sugar), and the acid in the soda even helps the onions maintain some structural integrity. Sounds like the perfect sausage topper to us.

Try this recipe

Or this recipe

Do: Use it in savory marinades

Although loaded down with a hefty dose of high fructose corn syrup (or cane sugar if you opt for Mexican Coke), Coca-Cola can, perhaps surprisingly, offer a variety of applications for savory dishes. Because much of this sweetness is balanced out with distinct acidity, Coke can act as a balancing ingredient in many recipes.

This acidity, which comes by way of phosphoric acid, is also a fantastic meat tenderizer. Indeed, most effective marinades for beef, pork and lamb use some type of acid, typically citrus or vinegar, to break down some of the proteins and connective tissues in the meat. In theory, pouring pure Coke over a steak or pork shoulder will cause the proteins to denature and tenderize; however, it likely won’t taste very good without a flavorful supporting cast. When Coke is paired with soy sauce, for example, the result is a sweet-salty-umami bomb that tastes like it’s traveling down the road to becoming a fine teriyaki or Korean barbecue sauce.

Try this recipe

(But) Don’t: Let meat marinate too long

If you’re using a lot of Coca-Cola in your marinade (and, hey, you probably are), make sure to watch that soaking time. Any time meat is left in a very acidic marinade for a long time, it will denature and tenderize too much. Ever had mushy grilled pork or beef kebabs? They’ve likely been sitting in that marinade all day. We advise you max out your marinating time at eight hours.

Do: Use it to glaze chicken wings

Simmering Coca-Cola evaporates all of the excess water in the soda to leave behind a thick, molasses-like syrup. At this stage, the concentrated Coke is practically begging to be used as a glaze on grilled or roasted meats, especially chicken wings. As the soda reduces, adding aromatics like garlic cloves, ginger or jalapeño peppers will add more complexity. Add a few shots of a dark vinegar, such as sherry or balsamic, to give the sauce more zip and better balance. Just be sure to closely monitor the sauce to prevent it from over-reducing or scorching.

Get this recipe

Don’t: Use it as a substitute in baking

Online recipes abound for things like Coca-Cola brownies that swap out all of the eggs and butter for soda. While this vegan trick may please butter-eschewing bakers, it is not a wise move. When we tested some of these recipes, they turned out spongy, gummy, and … just weird. The carbonation in the cola certainly leavens the brownies, but there is nothing in there, flavor- or texture-wise that’ll tell you, “This here is a brownie.” Our general rule is to avoid any recipes that are missing fat, or use Coke as a substitute for any of the liquid ingredients.

Do: Use it in pecan pie

If you have the patience and a large enough pot to reduce a substantial amount of Coca-Cola, you can use the thick reduction in the same manner as corn syrup in the base of a classic pecan pie. It’ll make for a totally Southern addition to any Thanksgiving spread, or simply a unique potluck dish.

Try it in this recipe

Don’t: Put it in doughnuts (do put it on them)

Coca-Cola doughnuts sound delicious, but they’re really, just, not. Adding the soda to the batter produced doughnuts with the mouthfeel of overly dense chocolate cake; however, using the soda as part of the glaze worked much better. Even better: Coke’s flavor is far more pronounced when you don’t cook or bake with it, so simply whisk together powdered sugar and Coca-Cola until you’ve got a dippable glaze. Top with chopped toasted pecans for added texture.

Try it on top of this recipe

Do: Put it in Coca-Cola cake

In baking, we use Coca-Cola more for its chemical properties than for actual flavor. When the Coke’s acidic ingredients mix with sodium bicarbonate (a.k.a. baking soda), the mixture produces excess carbon dioxide, visible as tiny air bubbles. These bubbles help give cakes and other confections some added leavening. But, as we mentioned above, choose recipes with caution; look for cakes and other baked goods with familiar ingredient lists (flour, butter, sugar, baking soda, eggs), such as our Coca-Cola cake recipe. Due in part to the presence of fat coming from butter and oil, the finished cake is fluffy, moist and flavorful.

Why does Coke help an upset stomach?

Coca-Cola might rot your teeth and load your body with sugar and calories, but it's actually an effective and safe first line of treatment for some stomach blockages, researchers say.

Yes, the same corrosive elements in the soft drink that wear down tooth enamel also seem to be quite good at dissolving stubborn, indigestible material that can build up in the stomach, studies show.

Researchers reviewed studies on the unconventional treatment that have been published over the past 10 years. In total, they looked at 24 papers covering 46 cases of patients with gastric phytobezoars, which are hard masses made up of indigestible parts of fruits and vegetables, like cellulose. These build-ups can cause pain and they tend to develop in people who have trouble moving food through their digestive tract, either because of a previous gastric surgery or some other condition.