More Dangerous Than Smoking? Death by Soda

[one...two...tree 2,762]

We are a country of overweight people. Americans are tipping the scales in record numbers, with approximately 130 million who are presently considered overweight or obese. Perhaps most alarmingly of all, half of all women aged 20 to 39 in the United States are included in these figures. Many factors contribute to the growing problem, from our sedentary lifestyles to our overindulgence in high-energy, low nutritional foods. Dealing with the crisis is not easy. The marketing of energy dense foods is a multi-billion dollar industry, and manufacturers of such products go to great lengths to ensure their shareholders continue to profit from the sales of nutrition-less foods.

Despite the barrage of marketing to the contrary, sales pitches, and misinformation, consumption of soda has been directly linked to both obesity as well as type 2 diabetes. Soft drinks are packed full of sugar and refined carbohydrates, both of which are undeniably correlated to these factors. Type 2 diabetes is also associated with a poor diet that is laden with high-fructose corn syrup and low in fiber. Research indicates that soft drinks largely contribute to this growing epidemic, with high school and college age kids being the most likely to consume sugar laden soda beverages on a regular basis.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are bad news, according to health experts, because they contribute to the obesity epidemic by providing empty calories, that is, calories that provide little or no nutritional value. Meaning, a person who slugs down too much soda is swallowing more than their body can handle. And this added energy isn't healthy energy -- it's energy derived from high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), i.e., highly refined sugar that has been chemically processed in order to excite your taste buds. It has been argued that too much HFCS in one's diet may offset the intake of solid food, yet does not produce a positive caloric balance. In turn, this over-consumption contributes to the slow development of obesity because the person is consuming more calories than their body can burn. And these days, people are drinking more soda than ever before. Perhaps not surprisingly, as portion sizes for soft drinks have increased, so have American waistlines.

Too put this dangerous pattern in to perspective, one regular 12-ounce can of sugar-sweetened soda contains approximately 150 calories with close to 50 grams of sugar. If this is added to the typical American diet, one can of soda per day could lead to a weight gain of 15 pounds in one year. Currently the consumption of soda accounts for about 8%-9% of total energy among children and adults, and studies suggest that it is most certainly having a negative effect on the people who consume it in such vast quantities. So what's so wrong with being overweight then, you ask? So what if soda has been linked to causing obesity? What's wrong with that? Well, plenty say scores of medical, health and public nutrition experts.

For starters, obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, bowel cancer as well as high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes alone can contribute to cardiovascular disease, retinopathy (blindness), neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), and other health complications. So if type 2 diabetes is highly associated with individuals who are obese, and obesity is linked to SSBs, then type 2 diabetes is highly associated with the consumption of SSBs because the consumption of SSBs is so highly associated with causing obesity. In short, if one consumes SSBs on a regular basis, they are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which itself may cause many ailments. That's why being overweight is not a good thing for one's health. And that's why drinking copious amounts of sugar-sweetened beverages contributes to poor wellbeing byway of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

On top of causing one to gain unhealthy weight and spurring type 2 diabetes, SSBs may also contribute to the loss of bone density, which may cause one to be more susceptible to bone fractures. It has been argued that low bone density may be a result of high levels of phosphate, which is found in elevated amounts in sugar-sweetened cola. Such large amounts of phosphate may alter the calcium-phosphorus ratio in people whose bodies are still developing, or people who are most likely to consume SSBs, and consequently this can have a toxic effect on their bone development. If a growing individual has a low calcium intake it could jeopardize bone mass, which may then contribute to hip fractures and other bone related disorders later in life. Drinking a lot of SSBs while your body develops could have lasting, deadly effects on your health. So while it is clear that soda isn't good for you, it is also obvious that soda is downright bad for your health. It can make you overweight, suck the calcium out of your bones, and increase risk of type 2 diabetes, a leading cause of blindness. But that's not the kind of news the profiteers of big soda would ever want you to hear.

The marketing firms that barrage consumers with ads for their mouth-watering soft drinks hope to encourage you to drink more of their harmful products, not less of them. Indeed they have a financial incentive to do so. Their annual revenues are billions of dollars. To protect their interests, as Prof. Marion Nestle of NYU notes, the soda industry shells out tons of money to convince people to consume their products in mass quantities. In the late 1990s, Coca-Cola spent about $1.6 billion dollars in global marketing, with over $850 million spent in the United States alone. With that kind of lavish spending, it is little wonder why Coca-Cola is such a household name. Clearly, those who advocate for cutting down on the consumption of SSBs because of their negative health impacts are up against a very well financed opposition -- not unlike the anti-smoking activists who take on the shenanigans and deceit of Big Tobacco.

Nevertheless, Coca-Cola, like its competitors, is extremely savvy. They have inundated schools with their products. As Michele Simon, the author of Appetite for Profit, writes, "A 2003 government survey showed that 43 percent of elementary schools, 74 percent of middle schools, and 98 percent of high schools sold food through vending machines, snack bars, or other venues outside the federally supported school meal programs ... With public schools so desperate for funding, districts are lured into signing exclusive contracts (also known as "pouring rights" deals) with major beverage companies -- mainly Coca-Cola and PepsiCo".

In other words, these multinational corporations give millions of dollars to schools so that their districts and vending machines exclusively carry their goods. In reality, however, it comes down to one big clever marketing ploy: In the end these big corporations have hooked kids on their products while fooling people into believing they are virtuous corporate citizens because they support education.

Fortunately there is a growing movement across the country to ban sodas from schools. Indeed the feisty Killer Coke campaign, which focuses on the company's labor abuses and not Coke's negative health implications, has been successful is banning the product from over 10 major universities in the United States. But it would be wise to not just focus on the company's alleged murders in Colombia, and instead broaden the struggle against the soda industry by pointing out their complicity in the obesity epidemic worldwide.

Because death truly is the "real thing."

Joshua Frank is the author of Left Out! How Liberals Helped Reelect George W. Bush and edits http://www.BrickBurner.org.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

afraid i am guilty also as i was sitting here thinking about going to get a Pepsi

[Mags 112]

This is nothing new. It has been well documented for years about soda and the fact that High Fructose Corn Syrup is in EVERYTHING. Go down the bakery aisle. Find me a loaf of bread that does NOT have HFCS in it? There isn't one.

I have only found one. In Kroger. And it was German.

Why you have it in bread I'll never know. It isn't needed. The UK doesn't do it.

My answer? I bought a friggin breadmaker. Now I'll make my own.

I spend an extra hour shopping and will NOT pick up anything with HFCS in it.

[eric&gen 0]

I used to drink three to four cans of PEPSI every day now i cut way back coz it was turing my stomach into an acid factory lol.

[Mags 112]

This is nothing new. It has been well documented for years about soda and the fact that High Fructose Corn Syrup is in EVERYTHING. Go down the bakery aisle. Find me a loaf of bread that does NOT have HFCS in it? There isn't one.

I have only found one. In Kroger. And it was German.

Why you have it in bread I'll never know. It isn't needed. The UK doesn't do it.

My answer? I bought a friggin breadmaker. Now I'll make my own.

I spend an extra hour shopping and will NOT pick up anything with HFCS in it.

Well, unless it is a Reece's Crispy Crunchy Bar. HEAVEN!!!!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This is nothing new. It has been well documented for years about soda and the fact that High Fructose Corn Syrup is in EVERYTHING. Go down the bakery aisle. Find me a loaf of bread that does NOT have HFCS in it? There isn't one.

I have only found one. In Kroger. And it was German.

Why you have it in bread I'll never know. It isn't needed. The UK doesn't do it.

My answer? I bought a friggin breadmaker. Now I'll make my own.

I spend an extra hour shopping and will NOT pick up anything with HFCS in it.

I'll check the bread I buy at Costco - I thought I was being healthy - It's Kirkland Multi-Grain Bread. I used to have a bread machine years ago and I was making bread a lot - mainly to save money. I would like to get another one soon.

I have no idea what the deal is with HFCS's in everything but I can't help but think that corporate farms can make a lot of money from corn because of it's versatile uses. I'll try to look up some info on it.

[mrc 0]

This is nothing new. It has been well documented for years about soda and the fact that High Fructose Corn Syrup is in EVERYTHING. Go down the bakery aisle. Find me a loaf of bread that does NOT have HFCS in it? There isn't one.

I have only found one. In Kroger. And it was German.

Why you have it in bread I'll never know. It isn't needed. The UK doesn't do it.

My answer? I bought a friggin breadmaker. Now I'll make my own.

I spend an extra hour shopping and will NOT pick up anything with HFCS in it.

When I look at labels, I look for Dietary Fiber, calories, fat and sodium. I'm not looking at HFCS because it doesn't concern me. HFCS does contribute to higher calorie count but if you eat foods that are healthy and stay within a reasonable caloric intake, with good diet and exercise, you don't have to worry about being obese. HFCS or not...it's all in moderation. I weigh 159 pounds. When I got out of high school in 1989, I weighed 140 pounds. Believe me, it has nothing to do with my body type either...my father is overweight. I could easily let it go, but I hate the feeling when I add a few pounds...my clothes don't fit right and I feel sluggish. I can't imagine adding 40 pounds...I'd go nuts. That's the reason I'm always watching what I eat and exercising.

[mrc 0]

This is nothing new. It has been well documented for years about soda and the fact that High Fructose Corn Syrup is in EVERYTHING. Go down the bakery aisle. Find me a loaf of bread that does NOT have HFCS in it? There isn't one.

I have only found one. In Kroger. And it was German.

Why you have it in bread I'll never know. It isn't needed. The UK doesn't do it.

My answer? I bought a friggin breadmaker. Now I'll make my own.

I spend an extra hour shopping and will NOT pick up anything with HFCS in it.

I'll check the bread I buy at Costco - I thought I was being healthy - It's Kirkland Multi-Grain Bread. I used to have a bread machine years ago and I was making bread a lot - mainly to save money. I would like to get another one soon.

I have no idea what the deal is with HFCS's in everything but I can't help but think that corporate farms can make a lot of money from corn because of it's versatile uses. I'll try to look up some info on it.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the added sugar that's in your bread. Going with a high fiber multi-grain and whole grain bread is fine...they are lower in calories (which means they have a lot less sugar) and they are filled with nutrients which aid in digestion (fiber). It's the bleached white breads that are filled with empty calories. The HCFS's in bread compared to cola are negligible.

[Robor007 0]

You know what I found odd...? When I was in the Philippines last month I found that a lot of places didn't have 'Coke Light' or another diet soda option. I stopped drinking 'regular' soda a while back because it's empty calories and causes additional health problems. To be honest I don't miss it and even prefer it now. If I'm mistakenly given a soda or tea with sugar in it now I am left with a bad aftertaste.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Here's some FYI regarding Heinz Ketchup...

Once upon a time Heinz Ketchup (American) was made from "Red Ripe Tomatoes" and "sugar" amongst other things. Today, in America, Heinz Ketchup is made from "Tomato Paste (from Red, Ripe Tomatoes) and High Fructose Corn Syrup amongst other things, though Heinz claims it's the original Heinz ketchup which it is not.

....

On a positive not, Trader Joe's sells an organic ketchup that is comparable in price with Heinz, but is more loyal to the original recipe than the current Heinz is, with half the sugar content and it tastes zesty like the old Heinz used to.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Here's some FYI regarding Heinz Ketchup...

Once upon a time Heinz Ketchup (American) was made from "Red Ripe Tomatoes" and "sugar" amongst other things. Today, in America, Heinz Ketchup is made from "Tomato Paste (from Red, Ripe Tomatoes) and High Fructose Corn Syrup amongst other things, though Heinz claims it's the original Heinz ketchup which it is not.

....

On a positive not, Trader Joe's sells an organic ketchup that is comparable in price with Heinz, but is more loyal to the original recipe than the current Heinz is, with half the sugar content and it tastes zesty like the old Heinz used to.

which reminds me, it's time for lunch - sandwiches and cokes

[Mags 112]

This is nothing new. It has been well documented for years about soda and the fact that High Fructose Corn Syrup is in EVERYTHING. Go down the bakery aisle. Find me a loaf of bread that does NOT have HFCS in it? There isn't one.

I have only found one. In Kroger. And it was German.

Why you have it in bread I'll never know. It isn't needed. The UK doesn't do it.

My answer? I bought a friggin breadmaker. Now I'll make my own.

I spend an extra hour shopping and will NOT pick up anything with HFCS in it.

I'll check the bread I buy at Costco - I thought I was being healthy - It's Kirkland Multi-Grain Bread. I used to have a bread machine years ago and I was making bread a lot - mainly to save money. I would like to get another one soon.

I have no idea what the deal is with HFCS's in everything but I can't help but think that corporate farms can make a lot of money from corn because of it's versatile uses. I'll try to look up some info on it.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the added sugar that's in your bread. Going with a high fiber multi-grain and whole grain bread is fine...they are lower in calories (which means they have a lot less sugar) and they are filled with nutrients which aid in digestion (fiber). It's the bleached white breads that are filled with empty calories. The HCFS's in bread compared to cola are negligible.

You SHOULD be concerned. There is NO NEED for HFCS to be in bread or many other products that are on shelves. In the UK they are not there...so why should it be different in the USA?

Remember "Super Size Me"? He covered HFCS in that too...and the soda problem. Scary, really scary.

Here's some FYI regarding Heinz Ketchup...

Once upon a time Heinz Ketchup (American) was made from "Red Ripe Tomatoes" and "sugar" amongst other things. Today, in America, Heinz Ketchup is made from "Tomato Paste (from Red, Ripe Tomatoes) and High Fructose Corn Syrup amongst other things, though Heinz claims it's the original Heinz ketchup which it is not.

....

On a positive not, Trader Joe's sells an organic ketchup that is comparable in price with Heinz, but is more loyal to the original recipe than the current Heinz is, with half the sugar content and it tastes zesty like the old Heinz used to.

And HFCS is NOT in the UK Heinz Ketchup. Makes you think...WHY? Why put it in the USA one?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You know what I found odd...? When I was in the Philippines last month I found that a lot of places didn't have 'Coke Light' or another diet soda option. I stopped drinking 'regular' soda a while back because it's empty calories and causes additional health problems. To be honest I don't miss it and even prefer it now. If I'm mistakenly given a soda or tea with sugar in it now I am left with a bad aftertaste.

That's what I ask for at restaurants now, unsweetened tea or ice water with a lemon slice. Some restaurants now serve flavored teas like raspberry or passion fruit that are flavorful but without any sugar.

Edited December 27, 2006 by Steven_and_Jinky

[mrc 0]

This is nothing new. It has been well documented for years about soda and the fact that High Fructose Corn Syrup is in EVERYTHING. Go down the bakery aisle. Find me a loaf of bread that does NOT have HFCS in it? There isn't one.

I have only found one. In Kroger. And it was German.

Why you have it in bread I'll never know. It isn't needed. The UK doesn't do it.

My answer? I bought a friggin breadmaker. Now I'll make my own.

I spend an extra hour shopping and will NOT pick up anything with HFCS in it.

I'll check the bread I buy at Costco - I thought I was being healthy - It's Kirkland Multi-Grain Bread. I used to have a bread machine years ago and I was making bread a lot - mainly to save money. I would like to get another one soon.

I have no idea what the deal is with HFCS's in everything but I can't help but think that corporate farms can make a lot of money from corn because of it's versatile uses. I'll try to look up some info on it.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the added sugar that's in your bread. Going with a high fiber multi-grain and whole grain bread is fine...they are lower in calories (which means they have a lot less sugar) and they are filled with nutrients which aid in digestion (fiber). It's the bleached white breads that are filled with empty calories. The HCFS's in bread compared to cola are negligible.

You SHOULD be concerned. There is NO NEED for HFCS to be in bread or many other products that are on shelves. In the UK they are not there...so why should it be different in the USA?

Remember "Super Size Me"? He covered HFCS in that too...and the soda problem. Scary, really scary.

Here's some FYI regarding Heinz Ketchup...

Once upon a time Heinz Ketchup (American) was made from "Red Ripe Tomatoes" and "sugar" amongst other things. Today, in America, Heinz Ketchup is made from "Tomato Paste (from Red, Ripe Tomatoes) and High Fructose Corn Syrup amongst other things, though Heinz claims it's the original Heinz ketchup which it is not.

....

On a positive not, Trader Joe's sells an organic ketchup that is comparable in price with Heinz, but is more loyal to the original recipe than the current Heinz is, with half the sugar content and it tastes zesty like the old Heinz used to.

And HFCS is NOT in the UK Heinz Ketchup. Makes you think...WHY? Why put it in the USA one?

I don't eat Ketchup. Solves that problem. I don't drink sugar sodas or even juice. Again, problem solved. I elect not to eat or drink these items because they are empty calories. Like I said, if you eat healthy and eat in moderation, you cut out most of the unnecessary HFCS because HFCS is generally not found in large quantities in foods that are healthier or lower in calories. Problem solved...check caloric intake instead of just checking for HFCS. Sure, HFCS may be in a lot of foods in the US that aren't in the UK, but if you think the obesity problem is an epidemic solely for the US, you are mistaken.

You know what I found odd...? When I was in the Philippines last month I found that a lot of places didn't have 'Coke Light' or another diet soda option. I stopped drinking 'regular' soda a while back because it's empty calories and causes additional health problems. To be honest I don't miss it and even prefer it now. If I'm mistakenly given a soda or tea with sugar in it now I am left with a bad aftertaste.

Exactly. If I have a drink at a restaurant, it's an unsweetened Iced Tea. I prefer the unsweetened version with some lemon anyway.

[no name 1]

but if you think the obesity problem is an epidemic solely for the US, you are mistaken.

But you can bet your a** Americans are WAY FATTER than the rest of the world. I've never seen more obese people than in the Midwest, and I've done quite a bit of travelling & lived in the UK.

Edited December 27, 2006 by devilette