Young people like soda, but it is not the best beverage for teens and preteens.  If you have a teenage daughter, there are reasons to encourage her to make healthier choices.

Drinking Soda May Cause Early Puberty in Girls

Girls in their preteen and early teenage years risk entering puberty sooner than girls who do not drink these carbonated beverages.  One study has shown that girls who drink soda on a daily basis experienced their initial menstrual periods 2.7 months before girls who drink less soda or none at all.

While thirteen years of age is the average age for first periods in girls who do not drink carbonated beverages, the age is only 12.8 years in girls who consume it regularly.

Early Puberty May Lead to Adolescent Depression

There can be complications to early puberty.  Early puberty is one risk factor in developing breast cancer during the adult years. …