Every Soda Can May Shorten Life by 12 Minutes
Recent studies from health researchers have sounded an alarming warning: each can of sugary soda may reduce a person’s life expectancy by up to 12 minutes. This claim is based on a groundbreaking 2021 study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan, where the impact of food and beverages on human health was assessed using a novel metric called the Health Nutritional Index (HENI).
The researchers analyzed over 5,800 foods and beverages and ranked them according to their effects on human longevity. The most alarming results came from sugar-sweetened beverages like sodas, which showed a dramatic negative impact on lifespan. This estimation means that frequent soda consumption doesn’t just contribute to weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease — it may literally chip away at your lifetime with every can.
Why Soda is So Dangerous
The main culprit is added sugar — especially high-fructose corn syrup — commonly found in sodas. High sugar intake spikes blood glucose levels, increases fat accumulation in the liver, promotes insulin resistance, and eventually leads to chronic conditions like:
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
These conditions are leading causes of premature death globally, and the link to sugary beverages has been confirmed in multiple studies across the US, Europe, and Asia.
A Minute Here, A Year There
The concept that one soda = 12 minutes of lost life might sound exaggerated, but it’s based on statistical associations over time. If someone drinks one soda per day, it could theoretically lead to nearly 3 days lost each year, or a full month of life lost every decade. Multiply that over a lifetime, and the consequences become stark.
What to Drink Instead
To improve longevity and health, scientists recommend reducing or eliminating soda consumption. Better alternatives include:
• Water (always the best choice)
• Sparkling water with natural flavors
• Unsweetened iced tea
• Infused water with lemon, mint, or berries
Even switching to diet sodas is not an ideal solution, as artificial sweeteners come with their own controversies and potential health effects.
Small Habits, Big Outcomes
The 12-minute estimate is a reminder of how small daily decisions compound over time. While an occasional soda likely won’t have a major impact, daily consumption — combined with other poor habits — can seriously harm long-term health.
Health experts agree: replacing sugary drinks with healthier options is one of the simplest ways to gain years back on your life.
