Is Soda the Cause of Obesity?
Excessive Calories from Sugary Drinks Effects Weight Gain
As the number of obese people continues to rise, scientists are continually looking for the causes and ways to correct the problem.
An analysis of energy consumed from soft drinks, fruit drinks and juices conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggest that 16% of the studied populations were consuming greater than 2 times the normal intake, and therefore consuming well over 25% of their daily energy requirements from sugar-sweetened beverages (1). These statistic along with the evidence that soft drink consumption has risen in parallel with the rise of obesity, suggests that sugary drinks may be one of the causes of obesity.
What the Research Says
Recently researchers looked at the effects of consuming beverages that contain sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup (1). The study suggested that the “prolonged consumption of diets high in energy from fructose could lead to increased caloric intake or decreased caloric expenditure, thereby contributing to weight gain and obesity.(1)”
Along with the possible role in weight gain the intake of sugar sweetened soft drinks may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. In a research study it was observed that the intake of soft drinks, rather than fruit juices, was significantly associated with the increased risk of diabetes (2).
The consumption of soft drinks has also been linked to health consequences in children and adolescents. Research has found that soda intake may increase blood pressure and the risk of hypertension in adolescents. It has been found that soda has replaced the consumption of milk and more nutritious beverages in the diet of children, decreasing the intake of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B-12 and B-6 (2). Soft drinks intake has also been linked to increased tooth decay in children (2).
Soft Drinks Impact on Weight and Health
Eliminating or limiting the amount of soft drinks in our diet is a simple change that can work to prevent excessive weight gain. Not only does soda add excess calories to our diet but they supply empty calories, they providing no vitamin, minerals, fiber or protein. By drinking soft drinks throughout the day a person fills up on sugary drinks and not on foods that provide the essential nutrients that our body needs. While diet soda is a better option because it reduces the calorie intake it is important to remember that it too provides empty calories.
Obesity is a multi-faceted disease. It is difficulty to single out any one main cause for the population's weight gain and while researchers are not over looking at other factors such as genetics, exercise and other factors, it is important that we take the necessary steps, such as eating a healthy diet that is low in calories and is high in essential vitamins and mineral, to prevent obesity.
References:
- Stanhope and Havel. Endocrine and metabolic effects of consuming beverages weetened with fructose, glucose, sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup.American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008;88(6):1733s-1737s.
- Malik, Schulze and Hu. Inake of sugar-sweetened Beverages and weight gain:a systematic review American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2006; 84(2):274-288
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