Drinking water reduces the need for sugary drinks among children and teens, a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggested.

Data collected from 8,400 children and teens, aged between 2 and 19, showed that not drinking water led to the consumption of an average of extra 93 calories per day, and 4.5% more calories from sweetened beverages such as sodas, sports drinks and juice.

Assistant professor at Pennsylvania State University and lead author of the new study, Asher Rosinger, stressed that sugar-sweetened beverages add empty calories to children's diets and may increase the risk of weight gain, obesity and diabetes.