Consumption of sugar-laden beverages has seen an increase in the last three decades, and is decidedly one factor in ever-increasing waistlines and the increasing obesity epidemic.
According to a new study, released today by the National Center for Health Statistics, 50 percent of the American population downs soda each day, with the majority drinking them at home. This trend contributes to poor diet quality, weight gain, obesity, increased blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes.The American Heart Association, among others, recommends a limited amount of sweetened beverages, no more than three 12-ounce cans of soda, per week. However, men average three times that much per week, while women consume 70 percent more than the recommended allotment.
Children, aged 12-19, consume the highest amount of empty calorie-laden sodas, with black children drinking more than their Hispanic or white counterparts. With adolescent children consuming more than any other age group, you might think that the majority of sugar-based beverages come from schools and restaurants, but such is not the case. The study found that most of the sugar drinks consumed away from home are purchased from stores, not your local high school cafeteria. In fact, only 1.4 percent of soda is purchased in schools or daycare settings.
The report also disclosed that the higher the income, the lower the sugar drink/soda consumption. Low-income persons consume more sugar drinks in relation to their overall diet than those with higher income and black and Mexican- American adults consume more than non-Hispanic white adults.
Sugar-laden drinks were defined as fruit drinks, sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened bottled waters. The category does not include diet drinks, 100% fruit juice, sweetened teas, and flavored milks.
Diet Soda Is Not the Answer
Switching to diet soda is not necessarily the answer. While it may improve your dental health, it may not help in shedding pounds. A large-scale study out of University of Texas, San Antonio published in June of this year indicated that consuming diet soda is detrimental to health.
Findings showed that although the waistlines of all participants in the nine-year study expanded to some extent, those who were diet soda drinkers had a waistline increase that was 70 percent higher than those who did not partake of the low-calorie drinks.
Adding insult to injury, those who consumed two or more diet sodas daily saw their waistlines expand a a rate that was five times greater than non-drinkers. The results remained true even after the researchers adjusted for other contributing factors such as physical activity levels, age, and diabetes status.
Although the data did not indicate the reason that drinking diet soda promotes weight gain, previous research suggests that because the brain expects calories to be associated with the sweet-tasting drinks, when none are present, the body begins to store more calories as fat.
There are alternatives to sodas. If you are in the market for a healthy, low-sugar energy drink, choices range from Muscle Milk Light to Steaz Sparkling Green Tea to Celsius Powder Sticks. A full list with nutritional information can be found by reading our article on “Healthy Beverage Bonanza.”
Also on the market are a variety of teas: Tejava, Tazo, POM Light tea, among others. Or you night investigate Hint flavored waters. If budget is of concern, you can homebrew your own iced tea or flavor sparkling water or seltzer with a flavored homemade simple syrup. Not to mention, the faucet is nearby and ice cold water with a slice of lemon or lime can be very refreshing.
Soure: HealthNews
