Potassium Deficiency Linked to Cola Consumption

I've never been a soda drinker, and pretty much everyone is aware of my feelings about junk food, but this shocked even me.

I have always been aware that drinking excess amounts of soda is not good for you, and admit to a certain level of concern over the excess amounts being consumed on a daily basis by many in our western world, but even I was shocked when I read this article and saw the averages.  212 litres per year per person in the US?  83 litres per year per person WORLDWIDE?

People, what are we doing to ourselves?  In what kind of world is 212 litres of soda a GOOD idea?

We need to start properly educating people on what food is, and what it isn't, and just what that stuff you're consuming that ISN'T food can actually do to you.  What ever happened to drinking water?