Soft drinks, so-named to differentiate from alcoholic beverages, are a ubiquitous presence in many people’s daily lives. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. children, including nearly half of those ages 2 to 4, drink sugar-laden beverages on a daily basis, and nearly 60 percent of adults drink soft drinks regularly.
Soft drinks are usually water-based with flavorings and sugar or other sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, and fruit juice concentrates and are mostly devoid of beneficial nutrients. They include soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks.
