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Study Suggests Soda Consumption May Age You As Much As Smoking

Flickr user Pink Sherbet Photography / "Fizzy Purple Grape Soda" (CC v. 2.0)

Drinking soda daily can age your immune cells almost five years. That's according to a recentstudy published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The study finds drinking a daily eight-ounce serving of soda corresponded to about two years of aging and drinking 20 ounces of soda per day is linked to almost five more years of aging.

The study authors say smoking has the same effect as drinking 20 ounces of soda daily. The study says additional aging of immune cells have been linked to health detriments like more stress, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.

The lifespan of immune cells decreases naturally as we age, but the process could be reversed. Previous research says it’s possible to increase immune cell life by stressing less and eating a healthy diet.

Researchers say the findings don't include other non-carbonated sugary drinks or diet soda.