Looking for another reason to just say no to sugary sodas, ladies?

A new study shows that drinking two cans of sugar-laden soda a day does more than up your calorie intake… it doubles your chances of developing kidney damage, too.

Loyola University researchers found that female soda drinkers who imbibe at least two cans of their favorite fizzy beverages a day are almost ninety percent more likely to have elevated amounts of a protein called albumin [albyoo-min] in their bodies than non-soda drinkers. Having elevated levels of albumin has been linked to the early stages of kidney disease.

Interestingly, these soda-linked kidney woes seem to target women, specifically thin to normal-weight women.

So why does soda seem to cause such a problem? Researchers aren’t sure yet, although high-fructose corn syrup could be a culprit. Because high-fructose corn syrup is a cheap sweetener for companies to use, soda is cheap to buy and thus easier to buy and drink by the case. And, researchers say the more sugar you consume, the greater the risk of developing kidney-damaging diseases like diabetes. A 2004 study showed that drinking regular soda ups the chance of developing type 2 diabetes by eighty percent.

Although the researchers found no association between diet sodas and increased albumin levels, the researchers say ingredients such as phosphorus could pose problems for your kidneys, too.

If you’re unwilling to quit the sweet stuff, try cutting back. As they say, moderation is the key.