When your employees get thirsty or tired at work, there’s a good chance they turn to soda for a sugar or caffeine boost to get them through the day. But this midday sugar rush is not only addictive, it’s a short-term energy solution that often results in a crash.
Because of this, it’s more important than ever for organizations to help their workforce slash soda and sugary drinks from their diet. This is a boon to their long-term health and, as a result, your bottom line. Read on to learn the full impact of soda on your workers’ well-being and the value of providing sparkling water as a workplace alternative.
The Impact of Soda on Your Health
Despite a wider recognition of the consequences of a soda habit, a majority of Americans continue to consume at least one sugary drink on a given day. And, while sales and consumption of beverages with added sugar are down, Healthy Food America reports that soda is still the dominant sugary drink, making up 65% of total sales.
A soft drink might seem like a fun, refreshing treat at work, but the influence of soda and sugar on your stomach is considerable. So, what does soda do to your stomach? The most notable consequences are as follows:
- Stomach pain from carbonation: It’s common to feel sharp stomach pain after drinking soda due to the carbonation: which causes a buildup of gas and leads to bloating, cramping, and discomfort.
- Acid reflux symptoms: While there’s not a persistent link between soda and acid reflux, carbonated soda can slightly alter pH levels in your body and add air to your intestines — commonly resulting in acid reflux symptoms.
- Disrupted gut health: If you think diet soda is a healthier substitute — think again. Your upset stomach can often be attributed to aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in diet soda. This sweetener disrupts your gut’s microbiome, which is essential to keep your body functioning properly.
- Increased stomach acid production: A carbonated beverage can serve as an acid load, which can raise your gastric acid volume. This wreaks havoc on your stomach lining and often results in heartburn and further acid reflux symptoms.
At the end of the day, an ongoing soda habit is detrimental to your workforce’s gut health, which has wide-reaching impacts on their overall well-being and performance. What’s more, stomach pain isn’t the only problem that sugary carbonated drinks can lead to: In fact, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. According to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, drinking soda has also been linked to:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Weight gain
- Fatty liver disease
- Tooth decay
- Obesity
- An increased risk of heart disease and cancer
Alternatives To Consider — Making the Switch To Sparkling Water at Work
Attempting to get your workers to opt for tap water over a soda can be difficult, but considering the switch to a sparkling water alternative might do just the trick! Sparkling water, also commonly referred to as carbonated water, seltzer water, and fizzy water, is typically calorie-free and available in a variety of flavors. By minimizing (or completely removing) added sugars, a carbonated replacement does remarkably less damage to your stomach, teeth, and overall health. This water is not only better for your employees’ health but Healthline reports that this soda substitute is just as hydrating as tap water.
Overall, sparkling water is significantly healthier than its sugary counterpart while being considerably more exciting than regular water — promoting greater levels of hydration throughout your workforce long-term.
The Benefits of Opting For a Healthier Substitute
As your workforce makes the switch to carbonated water and hydration improves, your business can expect to see a host of valuable benefits that include:
- Staving off dehydration
- Driving energy levels
- Reducing fatigue and headaches
- Improving digestion and gut health
- Protecting organs and tissues
- Increasing feelings of happiness
- Enhancing cognitive function
- Promoting greater productivity
Decreasing Soda Intake in Your Workplace With a Bottleless Cooler From Quench
Help your employees ditch soda at work by introducing fresh, filtered sparkling water with a bottleless cooler from Quench. Organizations can explore our broad range of sparkling and specialty products, including plain sparkling water machines and our Bevi machine, which offers flavored sparkling water on demand. Or, workplaces can optimize their hydration with a combined still and sparkling water machine — so your employees, guests, and customers have access to an endless supply of both regular and sparkling water as needed.
If you’re ready to drive health and hydration in your workplace with a bottleless water cooler, get a free quote to get started.
