Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are any beverage with added sugar.[1][2] They have been described as "liquid candy".[3] Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages have been linked to weight gain and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.[4][5][6][7][8] According to the CDC, consumption of sweetened beverages is also associated with unhealthy behaviors like smoking, not getting enough sleep and exercise, and eating fast food often and not enough fruits regularly.[1]
Artificially sweetened beverages (ASB) are defined as those containing non-nutritive sweeteners and are marketed as a replacement for sugar-sweetened beverages.[9][10] Similar to sugar-sweetened beverages they are linked to weight gain and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.[7][8][9][11]