Do We Need to Fear Fruit Sugar?
Information from the Australian Health Survey reveals those with higher intakes of whole fruit were 12% less likely to be obese than those with lower intakes. Those with higher intakes of sugar-sweetened soft drinks and chocolate were 9% more likely to be obese. There is no need to fear fruit sugar, although chemically similar, the…
Read MoreSoda and Diabetes
A wealth of evidence demonstrates that the regular consumption of soft drinks significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. A review of much of that data found regular use of sugary drinks is linked to the onset of diabetes independent of obesity. One daily serving of sugary drinks increased the risk by 18% and when adjusted…
Read MoreA Bitter Side of Sugary Drinks
New Zealand researchers found high consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks increased the risk for gout. Even carriers of the genetically protective allele (SLC2A9) experienced significantly increased gout risk. Four sugar sweetened sodas a day increased the risk of gout in those of Caucasian ancestry almost 7 fold. When all groups were combined, each sugary drink consumed per…
Read MoreStill Get Big Sweet Drinks in NY
Several months ago we reported that New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg intended to limit the serving size of sugar-laden sodas. Now a N.Y. Supreme Court judge has ruled that ban as unconstitutional and "fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences." Indeed there were loopholes in this proposed rule. Hot chocolate would have been limited to…
Read MoreYou Can Still Get Big Sweet Drinks in NY
Several months ago, we reported that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg intended to limit the serving size of sugar-laden sodas. Now, a N.Y. Supreme Court judge has ruled that the ban is unconstitutional and "fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences." Indeed, there were loopholes in the proposed rule. For example, hot chocolate would have…
Read MoreCalorie Counts Coming to Pop Machines Soon!
The American Beverage Association (ABA) has announced a program to place calorie counts on vending machines in two U.S. cities in 2013. At the same time the ABA foundation will spend $5 million on wellness programs for Chicago and San Antonio, rewarding those who lose weight and stop smoking, along with other healthy behaviors. Are…
Read MoreBig Apple Bans Big Sodas
The New York City health department has approved the proposed ban on the sale of high-sugar drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces. The size limit does not apply to water, diet sodas, or drinks sold in retail food stores. Customers who insist on dosing themselves with super-sized sodas will have to order more than…
Read MoreNYC Seeks to Ban Super-sized Sugary Drinks
The New York City Health Department wants to prohibit the sale of sugary drinks in containers larger than 16 fluid ounces in eateries and food carts citywide. Consumers will still be able to buy large bottles in stores. Americans consume 200-300 more calories per day than they did 30 years ago. The largest single increase…
Read MoreSweetened Sodas Linked to Lung Diseases
Sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to poor health outcomes such as heart disease and stroke. Researchers in Australia have recently found that sugary drinks are associated with an increased risk of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Though this cross-sectional study does not prove that sodas are the cause of these problems, it does offer…
Read MoreEffective Food Labels
Does the nutrition information on food labels impact your choices? Data on effectiveness of the labels is inconsistent. In a novel trial conducted on adolescents in low-income black areas, researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that when they labeled sugary drinks with information on how much physical activity would be needed to burn off the calories,…
Read More