Soda Drinkers Beware!

Nutrition News Flash

-- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian

Studies now correlate an increase in certain health risks with soda consumption. For four years researchers tracked the soda drinking habits of 50,000 women. When women went from drinking one regular soda drink a week to at least one a day, they gained an average of 10 pounds over the 4-year period. An increase in body weight was also seen when using fruit drinks, but not when diet soft drinks where consumed. In another study of 90,000 women, those who drank soda or fruit drinks daily had about twice the risk of developing diabetes compared to those who drank soda less than once a month.

Currently, the federal government is considering its first-ever warning that soft drinks can cause unhealthy weight gain. While soda sales have nearly doubled during the past 20 years, so has the percentage of obesity. Battle lines are being drawn and the debate is heating up.

• Should a warning be issued concerning weight gain and soda consumption?
• Should there be a ban on soda commercials during children’s television programs?
• Should soda be eliminated at school? Currently the sale of soda helps fund many school activities.

Action Sparked
There is strong evidence linking the consumption of soda and fruit drinks to obesity. An occasional soft drink presents no problem, but one or more a day could be disastrous to your diet plan.

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• CGCSPARKS "Unfortunately it seems that the majority of us have forgotten what it is to..."
• CYCOIVAN "It's not the government's place to put warning labels on food and drink. B..."
• FOXXYGRL82 "I hardly ever drink sodas myself. I think parents should educate their kid..."

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