Industry data that were based on sales and sugar concentrations of soft drink variants over the same time frame also indicated that the contribution of sugars to
carbonated soft drinks decreased 26 % on a per capita basis, which was equivalent to 157 g / y for 14 y.
The proportion of energy from
soft drinks (defined as sugar - sweetened
carbonated beverages, flavored mineral waters, and electrolyte, energy, and fortified
drinks) also
decreased 17 % in men (from 3 % to 2.5 % of energy) and 20 % in women (from 2 % to 1.6 % of energy)(Figure 5).
When CO2 from the atmosphere combines with water, it produces carbonic acid (the ingredient that gives
soft drinks their fizz) and
decreases carbonate ions, a key building block of marine animals» shells.