Study: More drinking water, fewer drinking soda

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - More people are ditching soda for water.

A new study by Beverage Digest says that we haven't seen people drink this much water in 15 years.

The new figures show that Americans are drinking 38% more water than they were in 1998.  The industry tracker says you are also drinking an average of 44 gallons of soda per year; a 17% drop.

All of this comes despite soda sales being five times as big as sales of water.  Experts attribute the drop to more doctors warning patients about the health problems associated with drinking too much soda, like diabetes or weight gain.

“I usually try to drink as much water as I possibly can, or more water-based beverages like iced tea and stuff like that, just because soda just doesn't really do it for me,” Kenneth Jamrog of Hatfield said.

“There's so many studies saying that soda is so detrimental to your health, that I'm glad people are paying attention,” Sarah Craig of Easthampton said. “I personally don't try to drink soda but I do enjoy a Coke every once in a while.”

Tap, flavored and enhanced vitamin waters are among the most common drinks, the study says.