Studies now link an increase in certain health risks with the consumption of soda. For four years, researchers tracked the soda drinking habits of 50,000 women. When women went from drinking one regular soda drink a week to at least one a day, they gained an average of 10 pounds during the four year period.

An increase in body weight was also seen when consuming fruit drinks, but not with diet soft drinks. In another study of 90,000 women, those who drank soda or fruit drinks daily had about twice the risk of developing diabetes compared with those who drank soda less than once a month. (Time to re-think those 44oz “happy hour” drinks at your local Sonic or Big Gulp)

Currently, the federal government is considering its first-ever warning that soft drinks can cause unhealthy weight gain. While soda sales have nearly doubled during the past 20 years, so has the percentage of obesity. Battle lines are being drawn and the debate is heating up.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Should a warning be issued concerning weight gain and soda consumption?
• Should there be a ban on soda commercials during children’s television programs?
• Should soda be eliminated at school? Currently the sale of soda helps fund many school activities.
• Most importantly, Ask yourself just how much soda do you consume in a week? (Or per day for those soda addicts)