Want to lose weight? Step one is to lose that soda pop in your fridge. Dieters lost more weight if they ditched sugery drinks, than if they just counted the calories in solid foods, according to a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Of more than 800 adults tested, those that quick drinking suger-filled pop, fruit drinks and fruit punch also lost significantly more weight than those who used diet drinks, milk, coffee, tea, alcohol and 100% fruit drinks.
"Both liquid and solid calories were associated with weight change," said Johns Hopkins' researcher Dr. Benjamin Caballero. "But only a reduction in liquid calorie intake was shown to significantly affect weight loss during the six month follow up."
Results of the study agree with evidence that the obesity epidemic has grown in lock step with the increase in consumption of soda pop over the years. By 2015, three in four Americans may be overweight or obese, according to the researchers.
As a result of their study, the researchers say Americans need to be more vigilant when it comes to counting calories in beverages, as well as in their solid foods.
