She argues that it would shift consumption towards healthier drinks such as water and milk, particularly for children.

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While coconut water typically has less sugar than sports drinks, it also has much less sugar than regular sodas or fruit juices.

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In an emailed statement, the Atlanta-based company noted that soft drinks remain a far larger category than bottled water and that it sees "upside" for sodas over the next several years.

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While the report makes a raft of recommendations, Prof Stephenson attacked sugary drinks for being "just water and sugar" and lambasted a culture where it was deemed acceptable to drink a litre of fizzy drink at the cinema.

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The tongue is especially useful when it comes to beverages, such as fruit juices, milk, coffee, mineral water, wine and soft drinks.

FORBES: Magazine Article