Tc
Wed, Aug-09-06, 17:16
http://www.newstarget.com/019921.html
NewsTarget) A study published in Tuesday's issue of the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that increased
consumption of soft drinks and other sugary beverages over the
last 40 years has significantly contributed to America's
weight problem.
Harvard School of Public Health researchers looked at
nutrition studies over the last 40 years and found that a
person can gain as much as 15 pounds per year from drinking an
extra can of soda a day -- the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of
table sugar each day. The report also noted that one-third of
America's carbohydrate intake comes from added sweeteners, and
half of that from beverages.
"We tried to look at the big picture rather than individual
studies," said lead researcher Dr. Frank Hu, who added that
recent public health efforts to limit the availability of
sugary beverages were justified by the results.
In the United States, most soft drinks and similar beverages
are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, which contains
slightly more fructose than table sugar. According to some
studies, pure fructose may not trigger the production of
either insulin -- necessary for calorie processing -- or
leptin, which is an important appetite regulator.
Recently, recommendations from both federal and international
health experts have inspired top beverage distributors to stop
providing non-diet sodas in certain schools and to restrict
sales in areas where young children tend to purchase the
drinks. However some studies suggest diet sodas' primary
sweetener, aspartame, can cause seizures, brain tumors and
even other health problems.
Industry groups argue that not all of the studies have
concluded that beverages and obesity are linked. The American
Beverage Association released a statement saying the Harvard
study had left out studies that would discount the link
altogether.
"Blaming one specific product or ingredient as the root cause
of obesity defies common sense," said ABA senior science
consultant Richard Adamson in the statement. "Instead, there
are many contributing factors, including regular physical
activity."
The Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) has opposed the
regulation of soft drink sales in states such as Texas, Oregon
and California. The official GMA position is that a balance of
physical exercise and nutrition is the only way to effectively
combat obesity. Related book: Superfoods For Optimum Health:
Chlorella and Spirulina In this free online book, you'll get
the astounding truth on how these two superfoods are far more
than just "supplements" like vitamins and minerals: they are
disease preventing foods from nature that can actually help
conquer cancer, diabetes, heart disease, clinical depression,
and much more. Director of the obesity program at Children's
Hospital in Boston and soda restrictions supporter Dr. David
Ludwig disagrees, saying that studying the link between
beverage drinking and obesity is akin to "documenting the
force of gravity." "There's an overwhelmingly strong case to
be made for a causal relationship," he said.
"The soft drink industry will always discount the link between
their products and obesity," added Mike Adams, a consumer
health advocate. "It's in their interests to make people
second guess the enormous amount of scientific evidence
demonstrating that sugary beverages do, indeed, contribute
strongly to both obesity and diabetes."
***********
Better cut them fats, eh?
TC
NewsTarget) A study published in Tuesday's issue of the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that increased
consumption of soft drinks and other sugary beverages over the
last 40 years has significantly contributed to America's
weight problem.
Harvard School of Public Health researchers looked at
nutrition studies over the last 40 years and found that a
person can gain as much as 15 pounds per year from drinking an
extra can of soda a day -- the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of
table sugar each day. The report also noted that one-third of
America's carbohydrate intake comes from added sweeteners, and
half of that from beverages.
"We tried to look at the big picture rather than individual
studies," said lead researcher Dr. Frank Hu, who added that
recent public health efforts to limit the availability of
sugary beverages were justified by the results.
In the United States, most soft drinks and similar beverages
are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, which contains
slightly more fructose than table sugar. According to some
studies, pure fructose may not trigger the production of
either insulin -- necessary for calorie processing -- or
leptin, which is an important appetite regulator.
Recently, recommendations from both federal and international
health experts have inspired top beverage distributors to stop
providing non-diet sodas in certain schools and to restrict
sales in areas where young children tend to purchase the
drinks. However some studies suggest diet sodas' primary
sweetener, aspartame, can cause seizures, brain tumors and
even other health problems.
Industry groups argue that not all of the studies have
concluded that beverages and obesity are linked. The American
Beverage Association released a statement saying the Harvard
study had left out studies that would discount the link
altogether.
"Blaming one specific product or ingredient as the root cause
of obesity defies common sense," said ABA senior science
consultant Richard Adamson in the statement. "Instead, there
are many contributing factors, including regular physical
activity."
The Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) has opposed the
regulation of soft drink sales in states such as Texas, Oregon
and California. The official GMA position is that a balance of
physical exercise and nutrition is the only way to effectively
combat obesity. Related book: Superfoods For Optimum Health:
Chlorella and Spirulina In this free online book, you'll get
the astounding truth on how these two superfoods are far more
than just "supplements" like vitamins and minerals: they are
disease preventing foods from nature that can actually help
conquer cancer, diabetes, heart disease, clinical depression,
and much more. Director of the obesity program at Children's
Hospital in Boston and soda restrictions supporter Dr. David
Ludwig disagrees, saying that studying the link between
beverage drinking and obesity is akin to "documenting the
force of gravity." "There's an overwhelmingly strong case to
be made for a causal relationship," he said.
"The soft drink industry will always discount the link between
their products and obesity," added Mike Adams, a consumer
health advocate. "It's in their interests to make people
second guess the enormous amount of scientific evidence
demonstrating that sugary beverages do, indeed, contribute
strongly to both obesity and diabetes."
***********
Better cut them fats, eh?
TC