Coca Cola and Science
There has been a lot of
discussion concerning the health risks
associated with sugar in all dietary forms. And
there has been an emphasis on the detrimental
effects of sugary drinks on our health. Sugary
drinks are felt by many to be among the
important causes of obesity. But now, that
feeling is being challenged by an organization
associated with the Coca Cola Company.
The Global Energy Balance Network, a nonprofit organization supported by Coca Cola, suggests that in order to maintain a certain weight, the energy taken in by the body must equal the energy expended by the body. And if this energy equation is not balanced, a person will ether gain weight (due to too much energy in) or lose weight (due to excess energy out). While this assertion is probably correct, the organization emphasizes the importance of energy expended in the form of physical activity and, seemingly, de-emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet as part of the energy in.
According to the vice president of the organization, “Most of the focus in the popular media and in the scientific press is" on individuals' "eating too much" fast foods or drinking sugary drinks. However, the vice president suggests that “there’s really virtually no compelling evidence that that, in fact, is the cause.”
Still, most researchers believe that sugary drinks are an important factor in obesity. And a recent English study shows that sugar sweetened beverages play a large role in type 2 diabetes. Indeed, the researchers concluded that sugar sweetened beverages raise the risk of type 2 diabetes in those who are not obese. They stated that "Sugar-sweetened drinks such as colas and lemonades may play a part in the alarming rise of type 2 diabetes in the UK and the US ... regardless of whether people are obese or not." Although the study was not a randomized controlled study, the investigation indicated that the results may be meaningful.
Even though the Global Energy Balance Network organization emphasizes physical activity while downplaying poor diet as a key factor in obesity, most studies support following a healthy diet and engaging in frequent exercise to maintain good health. Further, studies show that sugar sweetened drinks are detrimental to health, as did the above referenced English study. While more investigation is always in order, adhering to a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet with limited sugar sweetened beverages and frequent exercise is the best road to good health.
The Global Energy Balance Network, a nonprofit organization supported by Coca Cola, suggests that in order to maintain a certain weight, the energy taken in by the body must equal the energy expended by the body. And if this energy equation is not balanced, a person will ether gain weight (due to too much energy in) or lose weight (due to excess energy out). While this assertion is probably correct, the organization emphasizes the importance of energy expended in the form of physical activity and, seemingly, de-emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet as part of the energy in.
According to the vice president of the organization, “Most of the focus in the popular media and in the scientific press is" on individuals' "eating too much" fast foods or drinking sugary drinks. However, the vice president suggests that “there’s really virtually no compelling evidence that that, in fact, is the cause.”
Still, most researchers believe that sugary drinks are an important factor in obesity. And a recent English study shows that sugar sweetened beverages play a large role in type 2 diabetes. Indeed, the researchers concluded that sugar sweetened beverages raise the risk of type 2 diabetes in those who are not obese. They stated that "Sugar-sweetened drinks such as colas and lemonades may play a part in the alarming rise of type 2 diabetes in the UK and the US ... regardless of whether people are obese or not." Although the study was not a randomized controlled study, the investigation indicated that the results may be meaningful.
Even though the Global Energy Balance Network organization emphasizes physical activity while downplaying poor diet as a key factor in obesity, most studies support following a healthy diet and engaging in frequent exercise to maintain good health. Further, studies show that sugar sweetened drinks are detrimental to health, as did the above referenced English study. While more investigation is always in order, adhering to a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet with limited sugar sweetened beverages and frequent exercise is the best road to good health.
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posted by Information Uncover at
1:06 PM
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