Half of Americans sip sugary drinks daily

Americans get 8% of daily calories from sugary drinks, a study from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics says.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Half of U.S. population over age 2 consumes sugary drinks daily, CDC says
• Report says the drinks have been linked to weight gain, obesity and diabetes
• Beverage makers say their products have not fueled obesity and diabetes
• Male teens are most frequent consumers of sugary drinks, report says

(CNN) -- When it was first invented, soda pop was a treat most people had once in a while for special occasions.
Now it's a daily fixture in American life -- in bright containers glowing inside vending machines, chugged from 32-ounce bucket-like containers at self-service stations and served as the default beverage in fast-food meals.
In today's carbonation nation, half of the U.S. population over age 2 consumes sugary drinks daily, according to a report released by National Center for Health Statistics.
The sugary drinks include sodas, sweetened waters, and energy, sports and fruit beverages. Not included in the total were diet drinks, 100% fruit juices, sweetened teas and flavored milk. The report states that sugary drinks have been linked to "poor diet quality, weight gain, obesity, and in adults, type 2 diabetes."More....Cnn.com