 How to Clean a Hydro Flask Straw LidHydro Flask has two straw lid options, their original design and the newer Flex Straw that was released in early 2022. They can be fairly tricky to clean, but we're going to review the step-by-step process so you can get a better deep clean on your Hydro Flask Flex Straw or original straw lid. This includes showing the complete disassembly of each one, as well as giving some general recommendations. Content Overview:
Recommended Products: Video ReviewOur YouTube video covers the same information in this post, so click the link below if you'd rather see the video showing our cleaning process. Otherwise, keep reading the full post below!
A Real Quick Thank You!If you found this post helpful, you can use the links to buy any of the items you need off Amazon. We get a small commission if you purchase that way, and every little bit helps our small business. It enables us to keep making information videos and posts like this one. We really appreciate the support! Are Hydro Flasks Dishwasher-Safe?Let’s get this out of the way first. We know it’s a pain in the butt, but we generally recommend hand washing all Hydro Flask products. The reason why is that it’s pretty confusing to know which Hydro Flask products are actually dishwasher-safe and which ones aren’t. Even if it says the product is dishwasher-safe, Hydro Flask mentions that some accessories like caps may last longer if they are hand washed. So to be safe, we recommend sticking to hand-washing as much as you can to help your Hydro Flask products work well for many years to come. How to Clean a Hydro Flask BottleThis one's pretty self-explanatory, and here are two of the items we use most for deep cleaning our large bottles. For cleaning the bottle, just use warm soapy water and your bottle brush. We do this every day before going to bed. For a deeper clean, you could use cleaning tablets like the ones made by Bottle Bright. We recently tested Bottle Bright tablets to clean the tea and coffee stains from a 20oz Hydro Flask Coffee bottle, and the results were very impressive! We're going to start doing this at least on a monthly basis, but we're not sure exactly what the best frequency is. Let us know what you think!
Now on to the lids. Get your brush kit, a sponge or rag, a butterknife or some other kind of picking tool with an end that won’t cut silicone, and a bowl with warm, soapy water. It’s also a good idea to get set up at least a few feet away from your sink since you’ll be handling some pretty small parts, and you don’t want to accidentally drop them down the sink. How to Clean a Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Original Version)
Step 1: Disassemble the Lid Start by disassembling the lid. The straw is attached with a friction fit on the cap, so you can just pull it off. Next, pop off the spout by pushing it past the open position.
Remove the spout seal either by tapping the lid upside down, using your fingernails, or use a small tool like tweezers or the butterknife.
The silicone vent hole insert doesn’t usually get that dirty, but for a really deep clean you can pop that out too. Just use your thumb or fingernail to pry it out from the bottom.
And the last removable piece is the big o-ring under the threads. This o-ring generally doesn’t get as dirty so you may not need to clean it as often, but it’s still good to clean it every once and awhile. You need to use a butterknife or other kind of tool to get it out, but it’s not too difficult.  Main O-Ring under the Threads Step 2: Clean Everything Clean each piece thoroughly.
Step 3: Reassemble the Lid Once it’s all dry, we put it back together the way it was before. This should be pretty simple since you saw how it all came apart, but there are a few things to double-check to make sure you don't have too much leaking.
 Slight Taper (Hard to See) If you followed all of these steps, then you should be all set with your deep-cleaned Hydro Flask with the original-style straw lid! How to Clean a Hydro Flask Straw Lid (Flex Straw)Step 1: Disassemble the Lid Next we’ll look at the Flex Straw lid, which is honestly the better version. In some ways it’s easier to clean because the pieces are harder to lose, but it’s also a little trickier to take apart. Like before, the first step is to disassemble the lid. Pull the straw out of the red silicone insert, then pull the red insert itself out from the bottom.
Detaching the spout is a little different and trickier compared to the old lid, but you can still do it. Lift the spout to about a 45-degree angle, then press it to the side and up. We like to keep the lid on the bottle for more leverage, and we put the spout between our thumb and index finger then push with our arm muscles and not our wrist. The spout should then pop out of place. It takes a lot more force that you have to apply at an awkward angle compared to the original straw lid. You might even feel like you're about to break it, but follow these steps and it should pop out!
 What the Detached Spout Looks Like The last removable piece is the large o-ring up under the threads. This seal doesn’t get as dirty so you may not need to clean it as often, but it’s still good to include in your deep clean every once and awhile. It's much more difficult to get out compared to the original straw lid, and you’ll need to find a tool with a fine-tip end to get it out. I couldn’t get it with a butterknife, but I was able to use the pointy end of this letter opener to get up under the seal and lift it, just making sure to only use the plastic part of the letter opener and not letting it go all the way to the blade. I’m sure there are better tools out there, and if you find something that works great for you, please comment on it below to let us and other people know.
Step 2: Clean Everything Clean each piece thoroughly.
Step 3: Reassemble the Lid Once it’s all dry, we put it back together the way it was before. This should be pretty simple since you saw how it all came apart, but there are a few things to double-check to make sure you don't have too much leaking.
After these steps, you should be good to go with your deep-cleaned Hydro Flask Flex Straw!  O-Ring Orientation If you found this video helpful, let us know! And thanks again if you make a purchase through one of the links in the description. It really helps our small business out. Keep BottlePro in mind for accessories for your large bottles, and happy hydrating!
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 HOW TO REMOVE THE SPOUT FROM HYDRO FLASK'S FLEX STRAW LIDIf you’ve had one of the original Hydro Flask straw lids, then you probably know how to take off the spout for cleaning. A common question people have about the new Flex Straw lid is whether you can do the same thing. The good news is that you can take off the spout, but it’s a little more difficult and you have to do it a little differently. Here's how to remove the spout from your Hydro Flask Flex Straw lid for cleaning. A Video ReviewIf you'd rather watch a video on this topic, check out our YouTube video.
It covers most of the same information, just in a different format if videos are more your style. Step 1: Open the spout to 45 degrees Step 1: Open to 45-degrees First, open the spout to about a 45-degree angle. This is important to help prevent damaging your lid and to make it easier to pop the spout off. You'll see why later. Step 2: Push the spout to the side and up Step 2: Push the spout up and to the side Then grip the cap like this with the spout between your thumb and index finger. (This is called the thenar web space for those who wanted to know!) Push the spout to the side while also lifting upward some, and it should pop out. Having trouble?If you’re having trouble, try keeping the lid on your bottle for leverage. We find this makes it a lot easier. Why is the 45-degree angle important? Why is the 45-degree angle important when taking off the Flex Straw spout? Once the spout is out, you can see how the grooves align with the pegs in the cap base, which is why it helps to pop it off at a 45-degree angle. If you try to pop the spout off at a different angle or push it beyond open like with the original straw lid, then you run the risk of stripping the pegs or grooves so they don't line up as well. Your lid may still work OK, but it probably won't open and close as crisply / nicely. Thanks for your support!We’ve included a link to the Flex Straw lid below. If you purchase after clicking the link, we earn a small commission. Every little bit helps our business, and we really appreciate the support. Thanks again, and happy hydrating.
 A Video ReviewIf you'd rather watch a video on this topic, check out our YouTube video. It covers most of the same information, just in a different format if videos are more your style. Or keep reading our post below!
Do Bottle Tablets Work?One major problem with big bottles like Hydro Flasks is that they can be difficult to clean. We highly recommend bottle brush kits like this one because they make cleaning much easier and effective, but if you use your bottle regularly for coffee or tea, then you’ll probably notice stains developing over time no matter how well you clean it. I had this problem with my 20oz Coffee bottle, and I wanted to put the stainless back in stainless-steel. Hydro Flask has these recommendations and best practices listed on their website. But instead, I wanted to try something that I remembered seeing on Shark Tank to see if it was the real deal. I ordered a pack of Bottle Bright tablets to see how they work to get the stains out. They aren’t that expensive, and they seemed easier than using a homemade concoction. They’re made with ingredients like hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and citric acid and are marketed as being completely safe and without any residual tastes or smells.
Testing Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets on a Hydro FlaskHere is the inside of my Hydro Flask before the test, and you can clearly see the coffee and tea stains. I followed the instructions on the package, which state you should fill your bottle with warm water and then add one tablet for each liter. One liter is just over 32 ounces, so given that I was testing this on a 20-ounce bottle, adding one full tablet was more than enough. I dropped the tablet in, and it immediately started fizzing. After letting it sit for 30 minutes, I poured out the water and used my brush with some clean water to rinse the bottle to make sure I got all of the tablet residue out. Did the Bottle Cleaning Tablets Work?The tablet honestly worked better than I expected. Most of the stains were cleaned out, and it almost looks like a brand-new bottle as you can see from the images below. I didn't use any other cleaners for this test, so I know the tablet was responsible for removing the stain. I took a quick sample taste of some water, and I didn’t notice anything that seemed off. Glad to know that my bottle won't have a weird aftertaste.
Conclusion - Do Bottle Bright Tablets Really Work?It's a pretty resounding YES on this one. Overall, it was a very good first impression of the Bottle Bright tablets. They simplified the cleaning process and took the guess-work out of the equation. You could save a little money trying a different brand, and there are plenty of knockoffs available. But in our opinion, it might be a good idea to stick to reputable brands instead of buying from an unknown company on Amazon. We hope this post and video has helped. We’ve included links to the products, and if you purchase after clicking the link, we earn a small commission. Every little bit helps our business, and we really appreciate the support!  Which Insulated Bottle is the Best?Insulated water bottles have been around for a long time, but in the last decade or so their popularity skyrocketed with brands like Hydro Flask and YETI. There’s no doubt that the dual-wall insulation technology in these bottles is a wonderful quality of life improvement compared to non-insulated bottles, especially if you live in a hot region. But if you look on Amazon today, you can find dozens if not hundreds of brands selling similar insulated bottles. So many people ask, which water bottle has the best insulation? We tested 10 popular water bottles to see how well they hold ice. The Best Insulated Bottle - A Video Review
If you'd rather watch the results, then check out our YouTube video below!
The ContendersWe primarily focused on 32-ounce bottles because that size tends tend to be very popular, but we did use some other bottle sizes for certain brands based on what was available. We also included a couple non-insulated bottles as a baseline, a Stanley classic thermos to see how the older style compares, and a triple-wall bottle because we hadn’t tested one before and we were curious if it’s the next best thing.
(click an image below to see the bottle on Amazon) The Test Our Setup for the Test (Minus the Strainer and Ice Mold) Because the main purpose of an insulated water bottle is to maintain a temperature for longer periods throughout the day, we measured the weight of ice before and after the test as our main metric. We purchased an ice mold that creates larger sticks to limit the effect that surface area variations in different pieces of ice might have on the melting rate. Then we added one ice stick to each bottle and no water. After four hours, we poured the contents of each bottle into a strainer, then the remaining ice was dumped onto a scale. By comparing the weights of each ice stick before and after, we were able to get an idea of which bottle keeps ice the best. We then repeated this test three times and calculated the cumulative results.
Keep in mind that this experiment was intended just to give an idea if there are any major variations in insulation effectiveness. In an ideal experiment, we would have used a more accurate scale, used similar lids on all of the bottles, measured out the water into each ice mold to ensure the same volumes of ice were made, and used the same volume bottles across the board. With the disclaimers out of the way, here are the results! The ResultsThe cumulative results are summarized in the table below. You can see the percentage of ice that melted in the fourth column. A few things jumped out at us.  The Luxe and Stanley Original bottles are in a league of their own with 36% ice loss. One factor to keep in mind with the Luxe bottle is that it’s only 22 ounces, and the smaller volume of air likely made the result look better than it really was. We also haven’t tested or used this bottle at all other than with this insulation test, so we’re not quite ready to recommend it yet. Regardless, this initial test of the triple-wall insulation showed promise, and this type of bottle is worth looking into more. The Stanley result was interesting too, given that this type of bottle has been around for a long time and is basically the OG of insulated bottles. After that, we have the Klean Kanteen TKWide, the YETI, Takeya, and Hydro Flask with between 49 and 52% ice loss. These results are very close and are certainly within the range of potential error, so there’s not much difference here. Next is the Iron Flask at 55% ice loss. But keep in mind that we only had a 40oz Iron Flask to test, and the larger volume of air likely made the ice melt faster. Based on this consideration, we feel comfortable assuming that the Iron Flask’s insulation is essentially the same as the previous group. ThermoFlask was the one outlier of the dual-wall insulation bottles. At 59% ice loss, ThermoFlask seemed to consistently test worse than the other similar bottles. And the Nalgene and Klean Kanteen classic had the worst results, but given that these are single-wall bottles and not insulated, this result was to be expected. We mostly just included them in the test as a baseline because we could see when the ice had finished melting in the Nalgene, and we were curious if the single-wall stainless-steel design would do any better. ConclusionsWhen we take a step back to think about these results overall, we can reach a few conclusions.
 Is Hydro Flask's New Flex Chug Lid Good?Hydro Flask just released a brand new cap in late 2022. It’s called the Flex Chug, and it’s Hydro Flask’s first true spout-style chug lid. We ordered one, and we have been testing it for a few days, and we’ll let you know our initial impressions as well as what to expect if you’re thinking about buying one for yourself. Hydro Flask certainly needed a chug-style lid to compete with ones that many of their competitors already have, including ThermoFlask and Takeya. But while we’re fans of most Hydro Flask products and have built our company around making complementary products for Hydro Flasks, we have to admit that we think they missed the mark on the Flex Chug cap. Hydro Flask's Flex Chug - A Video ReviewIf you'd rather watch a video than read our post, then check out our Youtube video below!
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Our ConclusionSo overall the Flex Chug cap is an OK option and does a decent job at what it’s designed for, but we wish that Hydro Flask had taken some of the aspects of other proven spout lids and incorporated them into their design. Do you agree with our conclusion? Let us know!  What's the Big Deal with Hydro Flasks?Today we’re answering the question, why are Hydro Flasks so popular and expensive, and are they still worth it in 2022 and 2023? Are Hydro Flasks good, and are they worth the price? At BottlePro, we’ve been involved in the niche world of large water bottles since we released our first cup holder adapter in 2015, so we’ve seen and tested our fair share of bottles. Here we’ll give you a quick history of Hydro Flask, and by the end of it you’ll know more than you thought you ever needed to know about water bottles. Then we’ll give our thoughts and recommendations about Hydro Flasks in particular, and we’ll also let you know some good alternatives to Hydro Flasks in 2022 and 2023, especially if you’re looking for a gift for the Holidays. Quick SummaryWe know you're busy!
If you're looking for less expensive alternatives to Hydro Flask, here are some of our favorites. Keep reading the rest of the post or watch the video for more details. 
Recommended less expensive alternatives to Hydro Flasks
Click the links below to see these products on Amazon
Why are Hydro Flasks so Popular and Expensive, and What are Good Alternatives? (A Video Review)If you'd rather watch a video than read a post, you're in luck! In this video, we review the history of Hydro Flasks and give our recommendations on whether it's still worth buying one in 2022 or 2023. We'll also let you know some good alternatives. The video mostly reviews the same info as the blog post below. What's with big water bottles?For most people, water bottles are not a huge part of their life or their daily routine. But many people won’t leave their house without their favorite water bottle by their side, and this group of people is growing every day. Large reusable water bottles are winning over an increasing number of people for many reasons, with the most common being to improve hydration habits, to limit plastic waste, and to keep a cool drink nearby on a hot day (or vice-versa). Even if you don’t think much about bottles, we bet you’ve noticed more and more people carrying around awkwardly-large water bottles, particularly in the last 5-10 years. The bottle brand with the most meteoric rise in popularity during that period is without a doubt Hydro Flask. But when you first look up Hydro Flask, one of the first things you’ll notice is the price tag. And today, with high inflation and an economic downturn, budgeting is becoming more essential for many people and families. Which makes many people ask, why are Hydro Flasks so popular and expensive? And are Hydro Flasks still worth buying in 2023? When did Hydro Flasks Become Popular?Before Hydro Flask, the most common reusable water bottles that focused on the outdoor recreation industry were plastic bottles, like Nalgenes, or single-wall stainless steel bottles like Klean Kanteens. Both bottle types have their own benefits and drawbacks, which we go into more detail in our previous post. There were also some insulated bottles like Stanleys, but they had a mostly rugged design that focused on utility. Each bottle brand had a loyal following in the outdoor recreation community, and to many outsiders it seemed like the market was saturated. But then came along Hydro Flask, and everything changed. The company was founded in 2009 and quickly began building a cult-like following of devoted users in the outdoor recreation community, particularly in Hawaii and on the western US coastal states. The company moved to Bend, Oregon, which is where Hydro Flask is still headquartered today.  Searches for Hydro Flask (Google Trends)  Hydro Flask, Interest by Location (Google Trends) By 2012 as Hydro Flask really started gaining popularity, you may have started noticing people, usually Gen Z’s or Young Millennials, carrying these bottles. Popularity continued to steadily increase until it peaked in 2019, when the Gen Z the subculture known as “VSCO girls” received a lot of press and attention.  VSCO Girls Articles in 2019 Since peaking in 2019, Hydro Flask’s search popularity based on Google Trends has fallen significantly. But the trend curve has mostly leveled off and continues to be significant, vastly out-performing previous market leaders like Nalgene and Klean Kanteen.  Google Search Comparison, Hydro Flask vs Klean Kanteen vs Nalgene (Google Trends) Why did Hydro Flasks Become so Popular?Even when you know that Hydro Flasks are popular, that still doesn’t answer the question of why they became popular. So how did Hydro Flask become such a staggering success as a brand and company? There are a few reasons, including having a high-quality product, marketing very effectively, and honestly, having some lucky timing.  Why Hydro Flask became so successful Hydro Flask had a great product, but so did many other similar bottle brands at the time. Nalgenes had color options and are very durable. Klean Kanteens had the easy-to-clean, plastic and BPA-free stainless steel option covered. Stanleys and other thermos-style mugs had insulation. But Hydro Flask was the first company to effectively combine all those benefits into one bottle.  Hydro Flask's benefits Even still, the rise of Hydro Flask cannot be fully explained without also considering the rise of social media, particularly Instagram. Instagram was launched in 2010, and it quickly became the must-have app for younger generations. With Hydro Flask starting around the same timeframe and targeting similar customers, they were a natural fit. Hydro Flask began gaining traction from influencers, followers, and fans posting pictures of their colorful bottles, and with a healthy dose of FOMO, Hydro Flasks quickly became the go-to water bottles for eco-conscious Gen Z’s and Millennials. There is no doubt that Hydro Flask would not have become as widespread and popular without Instagram. Of course, all those factors don’t matter without execution, and you really have to hand it to Hydro Flask with what they accomplished. The company is a great example of what effective planning and execution can accomplish with a little bit of luck and timing. Is a Hydro Flask Worth Buying in 2023?So now you know more than you ever thought you needed to know about the history of Hydro Flask. The original question remains: is a Hydro Flask still worth buying in 2023? With a price tag of roughly $50 for their 40oz, it’s a sizeable purchase for most people and families. The answer is a little subjective and depends on your situation. If you’re doing OK financially and you want to buy a great product that will last for many years, it’s hard to go wrong with a Hydro Flask. They make great products, and we’ve been using Hydro Flasks for over a decade. Invest in a 32oz or 40oz bottle and you’ll find it much easier to stay hydrated wherever you go, and you’ll look great doing it. Or if you really want a well-known bottle brand but aren’t into Hydro Flasks, consider YETI, which also makes a great range of bottles that are at similar price points. But it’s almost 2023, not 2012. Back in 2012, there weren’t many other alternatives for insulated, colorful water bottles. Nowadays, we see new bottle brands pop up every month. And honestly, many of them are just as good as Hydro Flasks and come with more accessories, all for a lower price.  Amazon Search Results, Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle Cost for the LogoBased on what we’ve seen, you can just think of Hydro Flask’s logo as $10-$20 of your purchase. For many people, why spend that extra cost when you can get a great bottle from a company like Iron Flask, ThermoFlask, Takeya, Simple Modern, COLDEST, RTIC, or Hydro Cell (and on and on and on).  Estimated cost of the Hydro Flask logo What are Good Alternatives to Hydro Flask in 2023?With the ever-expanding list of companies selling Hydro Flask ripoffs, we recommend sticking to the established competitors to make sure quality is up to par. Here are a few of our favorite alternatives to Hydro Flask in 2022 and looking ahead to 2023. We stuck to 40oz bottles for consistent comparisons. Mid-Range AlternativeBudget-with-Accessories AlternativeGift for Two (or a Spare for You!)
In ConclusionThere are a lot of water bottle options in 2022, with more certainly coming onto the market in 2023. Many of these are great alternatives to expensive Hydro Flasks. But while each person may have their own reasons to buy from one brand or another, we believe the best water bottle is the one you’re using (as long as it’s reusable). Get a bottle for yourself, a friend, or a family member, and it’ll help improve hydration habits while also minimizing plastic waste from single-use bottles. And those are both wonderful reasons to invest $20-$50 in a new bottle that you can reuse for years to come.
Which Hydro Flask Lid Should You Get?Congrats, you have a Hydro Flask (or are thinking about getting one soon)! It's hard enough deciding which Hydro Flask bottle to get, but have you also thought about which lid you'll use? Hydro Flask has four (4) lids available right now on Amazon: Flex Cap, Flex Sip, Flex Straw, and Straw Lid. In this video, we go over how each one works, what we like and don't like about each design, and how we use them. If you'd rather read through the review than watch the video, see the written summary below. SummaryHydro Flask has four lid options, and you might be asking which lid is best for you. We've reviewed and tested each lid extensively, and here's what we think. Links are in the description. Which one is best for you? Well, it depends on how you want to use it, but we can tell you how we like to use them.
Flex Cap
Make It Even Better with a SplashPro Splash Guard Flex Sip
Make It Even Better with a FlavorFuze Steel Flex Straw
Make It Even Better with a FlavorFuze Straw Infuser Straw Lid (Original Design)
Also works with a FlavorFuze Straw Infuser  With summer in full gear and news of heat waves across the country, make sure you stay safe out there. Keep cool by adding ice to your bottle, and if you're using a Hydro Flask with the Flex Cap, use SplashPro to keep your ice at bay. Designed specifically to fit wide mouth Hydro Flasks. It also fits Iron Flasks and Takeyas, but not Nalgenes. Want to see it in action?Click below to see our quick video!
 Loose Leaf Tea in Hydro Flasks - A Match Made in HeavenMany people search Google for things like:
We get a lot of questions about this too. Hydro Flasks are primarily used for water, but plenty of people would love it if they could have different flavors, like fruit infused water, coffee, or tea. In particular, tea is what we're focusing on today. And check out our FlavorFuze Steel Mini demo video at the end!Can You Make Hot Tea in a Hydro Flask?
And unlike some concerns with plastic and even aluminum, from what we have found, stainless steel won't leach chemicals or pollutants into your beverage. Flaske has a great article covering more details about the question of "Are Stainless Steel Water Bottles Safe to Drink From." So does Elemental Bottles, where they recommend looking for bottles that are either made from #304 or 18/8 stainless steel (Hydro Flasks are made from 18/8). We highly recommend checking these articles out if you have any other questions or concerns. Best Hydro Flask Bottles for TeaYou should also consider what type of Hydro Flask you want to use, since that can have an effect on which type of tea infuser will work best.
Tea Infusers for Wide Mouth Hydro Flasks (like the 12/16/20oz Coffee Bottles and also 32oz/40oz Bottles)Now that we know putting hot tea in stainless steel bottles like Hydro Flasks is safe, let's look at the best ways to do it! OPTION #1: MAKE IT SEPARATELYHistorically, the most common way to enjoy tea in your Hydro Flask has been to brew it outside of your Hydro Flask first. Then just pour the tea into your flask, and you're good to go. This is great for many people because they already have tea-making equipment. You'll also need to go this route if you are using a narrow-mouth Hydro Flask bottle.
OPTION #2: MAKE IT IN YOUR HYDRO FLASKYou can save yourself some extra dishes and time by brewing your tea right in your Hydro Flask! But this option can be a little trickier because not all tea infusers and strainers will fit in Hydro Flask bottles. The inside diameter of wide mouth Hydro Flasks is right around 2.1 inches across, so be sure that your strainer is smaller so it can fit!
FlavorFuze Steel Mini Demo
My Soda Habit Story
I'll be 35 years old tomorrow, and I've had a soda habit since I was a kid. Growing up, it wasn't uncommon for me to drink 2, 3, or even 4 sodas per day. As you might guess, I've also been overweight most of my life too, which is certainly not a coincidence. But at 35, I finally kicked my soda habit. I'm down almost 10 pounds this year, and best of all, I feel like what I'm doing is sustainable.
Here's what's working for me, and hopefully it'll help you on your journey too. Step 1: Know the Problem
If you're reading this, then you've likely already heard or read about the major health issues that can result from regularly eating or drinking high levels of sugar.
And a lot of other people have too, judging Google Trends. The interest-over-time for "Low Sugar" has been slowly-but-steadily increasing over the last several years.
Google Trends - Searches for "Low Sugar" for the Previous Five (5) Years
Of all the ways that consumers regularly ingest sugar, sugary beverages are the primary culprits. These include:
According to the American Heart Association, the maximum recommended sugar intake is 36 grams of sugar per day for men. For women, it's 25 grams. Each one of the drink examples above is either right at those limits or way above them, all from one drink.
Seeing how bottle and can sizes vary, it's also interesting to look at the sugar concentration as shown below. One of the more surprising realizations for most people is how most fruit juices really aren't good for you. Sure they provide some benefits like vitamins and other nutrients, so in that way they are better than sodas. But the sugar content per ounce for Minute Maid orange juice is essentially the same as a Coke! 
There are plenty of people smarter than me that study this topic for their day jobs, so I'll leave it to them to provide additional details and research about sugar and health. Here are some of the more helpful articles we've read.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Guidance on Added Sugars WebMD: How Sugar Affects Your Body American Heart Association: How Much Sugar is too Much? Healthline: 11 Reasons Why Too Much Sugar is Bad for You And keep in mind that diet sodas aren't free-and-clear of problems either. There is growing evidence that drinks with artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose are bad for you as well, as discussed here. Step 2: Find Your Real Motivation
You can always have a combination of motivations, and many of these are related (like weight loss and long-term health). But whatever the situation, the key is to figure out what primary focus and goal really motivates you.
A Personal Story - My New Motivation
After reading articles about how sugar essentially acts like a poison and how sodas in particular are "empty calories" that provide no nutritional benefit, I knew it was in my best interest to quit.
Each time I tried to change, I would start off a few days or weeks without sodas, but then I would slip and start drinking them again. The most common backfiring strategies I used were:
The reason that these backfiring strategies worked on me was that I hadn't determined what my real motivation was yet. I said I wanted to lose weight, and that can work for many people. But the problem, for me, is that I'm fairly comfortable in my own skin already. Also, I have always been overweight so it's not easy for me to truly realize how much better I might feel to achieve a healthy weight. It was more abstract. But as I got older, something happened. I started thinking more about how little time we truly have, and how chronic diseases that we always read about and learned of back in school are very real. And then someone very close to me passed away. He smoked most of his life, and though he was finally able to quit a few years ago, by then the damage was done. He developed cancer and passed away earlier this year. He urged me to improve my habits now and to learn from his life experiences. This changed my motivational focus.
Instead of just wanting to lose weight, my new focus became achieving better long-term health. This seemingly small change in my focus and goals made all the difference for me.
Step 3: Strategies for Change
Once you know what really motivates you, it's time to start thinking about how you'll make changes.
There are many strategies that you can use to cut out soda from your diet. Here are a few.
A Personal Story - My New Routine
Honestly, I've used all of the strategies listed above to varying degrees. But the ones that helped me the most are #1 and #4. By drinking more water, I've been able to feel fuller and am less likely to drive to the store for a soda. And by using a flavored drink alternative, I can still take a break from "boring" water each day and satisfy my need for flavor.
This is what's working for me.
Need another bottle? Check out Hydro Flask's Amazon store.
Step #4 (If Needed): Don't Be Afraid to Reset
Stopping any habit can have its ups and downs. It took me over a dozen attempts over the years before I reached sustainable change. Don't feel ashamed if you don't succeed initially. Re-evaluate your motivations and strategies, and keep trying.
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