how bad is the global soda problem?

Harvard School of Public Health’s Gitanjali Singh (PhD) recently published the results of 2010’s Global Burden of Diseases Study.   We are already aware of soda’s link to OBESITY, but his team’s conclusions concerning SODA POP and other sugary drinks and death?  Nearly 200,000 people are dying worldwide (25,000 of the deaths occurring here in the United States) —- mostly from heart disease, DIABETES, and CANCER — as a direct result of the sugar they are consuming from “Sugary Drinks”.  My guess is that his estimation is too low — maybe way too low.  The results were reported earlier this week at the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions.

While the AHA recommends a maximum of 450 calories a week from sugary drinks, much of the world is following America’s lead and going beyond that —- far beyond that.  In fact, I saw a recent study touting the fact that the number one source of calories for American teens was soda (HERE).  Here are some other “Fun Facts” concerning American consumption of soda and other sugary drinks that come from this and other studies.

• About 10% of our nation’s calories are coming from soda and sugary drinks.

• 5% of the American population over two years old is consuming at least 48 oz of soda or sugary drinks per day.

• The Institute of Medicine recommends that a maximum of 25 percent of our calories should come from added sugar (one more reason you cannot trust the government to keep you healthy).

• According to a 2010 study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), 1 in 6 Americans is surpassing the 25% mark.

• Cal State Davis published, in a 2011 issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, that just two weeks of exceeding the 25% added-sugar limit using HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) as the source of sugar, dramatically increased cholesterol, triglycerides, and other markers of cardiovascular disease.

• In 1977 and 1978, boys drank over double the amount of milk as compared to soft drinks (at my house it was probably 25 times that), and girls 50 percent more milk than soft drinks. By 1994–96, boys and girls were drinking over double the amount of soda as milk.

• Soda and sugar are both associated with lower intake of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

• Numerous studies show proof that soda and sugary drinks are directly related to weight gain, overweight, and obesity, which puts people at risk for Type II Diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, and cancer —- all of which continue to be seen in younger and younger populations.

• Soda is a known cause of OSTEOPOROSIS and contributes to kidney stones.

• I could go on and on and on.

Interestingly enough, several governmental organizations are telling citizens to cut the sugar by consuming “Diet Soda”.  With what we now know about Aspartame (NutraSweet), how beneficial can this be?  Not only is this stuff bad in every conceivable manner, it actually causes more weight gain than normal soda (HERE)  It seems that people are very confused these days.  They are SWAPPING SUGAR FOR MORE SUGAR and assuming that juice-like drinks or “Sports Drinks” must be good for them because they made people like Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, and Mia Hamm, what they are today.  Get kids hooked, and they’re too often HOOKED FOR LIFE.