LIVINGSTON, Mont., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The last time Jonathan Sarisky drank a soda was a year ago. But the 12 months of abstinence wasn't for nothing. Having completed the so-called no-pop challenge issued by his parents, the 11-year-old Montana boy was rewarded with $500.
Over Christmas last year, Sarisky's parents -- mother Renee Shifley, stepfather Rick Shifley and father Jason Sarisky -- offered his brother and him a choice. They could take $100 now, or accept a challenge to swear off sugary drinks for 365 days and collect $500 in a year's time.
Jonathan's brother Andrew opted for the quick cash, but Jonathan, who now goes by Jon, took on the challenge. For the last 12 months he's consumed no other beverages but milk and water -- no soda, juice or sports drinks.
"I didn't brush my teeth until I couldn't taste it anymore," Sarisky told the Livingston Enterprise, speaking of the last soda that he drank almost a year ago.
Sarisky's mom says her son grew up a lot over the course of the challenge; she recalls waiters at restaurants admiring Jonathan's restraint.
Jon says that even now that the challenge is over, he won't fall back into old habits.
"I might have just one pop, but I'm not going to overdo it," he said. "[It's] OK for a splurge now and then."
According to the latest health research, Sarisky is likely to enjoy benefits beyond the $500 -- health benefits.
"Added sugars probably matter more than dietary sodium for hypertension, and fructose in particular may uniquely increase cardiovascular [heart and blood vessel] risk," James DiNicolantonio, a researcher in the cardiology department at Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, told WebMD.
Increasingly, doctors and public health officials are blaming rising sugar intakes for a range of medical problems, from hypertension and heart disease to obesity and diabetes.
