Why sipping (not gulping or drinking) on sugary beverages is a smart idea

If you have watched the series “Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives”, you must have come across the Delhi based art collector Shalini Passi and her lifestyle habits. In one of the episodes the 48 year old glamorous Shalini said she prefers to sip her beverages, alcoholic and sugary, instead of drinking it.
This drinking pattern has been highlighted by a few health experts on social media. So, let’s understand if it is healthy and how.
Sugary beverages are a leading cause of tooth decay and oral health issues. When consumed, the sugars in these drinks interact with bacteria in the mouth, producing acids that erode tooth enamel. Over time, this can lead to cavities, sensitivity, and other dental problems. This is where sipping comes into play.

Drinking sugary drinks through a straw offers some benefits for oral health. It helps separate the fluid from the teeth and enamel by limiting contact with the enamel. This small difference can make a huge difference in reducing the chances of cavities and erosion of enamel.
Whenever you take a sip of your sugary drink, you can regulate how much liquid stays in your mouth at any given time. The smaller the sip and the quicker the swallow, the less sugar has an opportunity to stay in contact with your teeth, thus the less chance of its converting into acid. Drinking too much at one time can, on the other hand, flood your mouth with sugar, which increases acid exposure and contributes to tooth decay.

Drinking a sweetened beverage makes one slow down and be more mindful of how much of it they are consuming. This may help in making better choices, like knowing when you’ve had enough or to dilute your sweet drink with water or other better options. It also enables you to be more mindful of your total sugar consumption and help in better dietary choices.