I know what you're going to say about the dangers of soft drinks.

It's no surprise that soft drinks aren't healthy. We all know this.

Yet many of us still drink them. It's hard to believe, but some people consume multiple sodas every single day.

Sometimes I hear people talk about how they've had a hard time cutting back to just one a day.

I'm so used to clean water as my primary drink, that I have a hard time understanding how someone could drink that much soda.

But, of course, sugar is addictive. And while I don't drink a lot of soft drinks, occasionally I go through phases where I get a sugar tooth and want chocolate or ice cream every night.

It can be really hard to break the sugar habit, so I get it.

Negative Effects of Soft Drinks in the Body

The key is education and self-control.

First, we have to know why we shouldn't consume soft drinks. We need knowledge of their harmful effects.

That, in turn, will motivate us to have more self-control.

According to UCLA Health, "Sugary beverages like soda are linked to a long list of adverse health effects, starting with obesity, poor blood sugar control and diabetes."

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease are also linked to sodas.

Your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes increases if you drink just one soda a day. That's crazy!

For your health, it’s best to limit or totally avoid soft drinks.

The Dangers of Diet Soda Are Just as Serious

Many people believe that as long as they drink diet sodas they don't have to worry about how much they consume.

That is untrue.

Diet sodas increase hunger and disrupt your metabolism, so they're not any better than regular sodas.

In addition, diet sodas contain the artificial sweetener Aspartame, which is scientifically linked to all sorts of health problems, including Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

Please do not fall for the trap that diet sodas are healthy for you.

What To Do After You Learn The Dangers of Soft Drinks

Once you've done the research on the dangers of soft drinks and understand how harmful soda drinks are for you and your family, the next step is self-control.

Our bodies will always thank us when we sacrifice our mental desire for our physical health.

The easiest way to avoid soft drinks is to stop buying them. Don't bring them into your home.

Choose water when you go to restaurants.

I know it's easy to say that, but it's not always easy to put into practice.

If you're thinking of quitting soda for good, though, you may need some helpful tips.

Here are several strategies to help you do that.

It's also important to remember that there are healthy alternatives to soda that also taste good.

You can still have carbonation and flavor without all the unnecessary, harmful sugar.

If you're not sure where to begin, here are several healthy soda alternatives.

This link also shares great information about the harmful effects of soft drinks in the body.

Healthy Life, Healthy You

Knowing the dangers of soft drinks and then eliminating soda from your diet is just one step to experiencing a healthier life and a healthier you.

The dangers of drinking soda are real. If you consume soda consistently over many years, you will see side effects that you don't want.

Consider how your health affects your family and those who love you too.

Isn't a long, healthy life more important than a few minutes of drinking pleasure?