re: drinking soda (or pop or whatever.) 30 years ago I swore off all fast food and all soda. I did so because my cholesterol was too high and I was "borderline diabetic." Also, my doctor told me that artificial sweeteners used in soda can cause kidney stones, which I had developed before then. After making this change, I shed 30 lbs in about 3 months (which has stayed off) and my sugar and total cholesterol levels were back in the normal range. Plus, no kidney stones and less night time acid reflux due to build up of carbolic acid from carbonation.
You do you, but this worked for me.