How Big Soda Companies are Pushing Sugar

-
By now, it is well known that regularly drinking soda is harmful to our health. Studies have linked soda with a higher prevalence of obesity, type-2-diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay. For these reasons, companies have seen significant drops in sales, but according to Marion Nestle, a professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University, big soda companies are fighting back. In an interview published in the November, 2015 issue of Nutrition Action Magazine, Nestle explains some of the tactics being used by big soda.
 Like cigarette companies, soda companies have moved a lot of their business overseas. In the United States, they have been using other strategies to deflect negativity. For example, Coca-Cola and the American Beverage Association have funded their own research. Coincidentally, 85% of the studies funded by industry find soda to be harmless to health. Instead of facing the facts, companies are drawing attention to other issues like physical activity, hydration, and personal responsibility. Their marketing strategies include depictions of happiness and emotional connections that are relatable and desirable to consumers.
Other tactics are less obvious. For example, soda companies have fought caps on soda sizes, soda taxes, and public health measures. At the same time, they fund health organizations, community organizations, and city organizations. When cities consider adopting soda taxes, Coke offers them millions of dollars instead. Companies go to these measures to defeat soda taxes because their products are price-sensitive. While soda companies do offer water, diet drinks, and smaller can sizes, the main issue is that they are still fighting against public health.
As dietitians, it is important that we see through the tactics being used by big soda companies and understand current conflicts of interest. With today's statistics for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease, we need to keep educating on the effects of drinking sugar-filled beverages. If Americans continue to ignore the data and believe the big industries, our health will continue to suffer the consequences.

JW


Nestle, M. (2015, November). Not So Happy. Nutrition Action, 3-5.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Are All Sugars Created Equal?

-
Image
Are All Sugars Created Equal?  I think one of the most confusing nutrition topics for people is sugar. With so many conflicting stories out there, it’s difficult to separate the facts from the fiction. Not to mention, the types of sugars are endless. How do we know what’s best for our bodies? White or brown sugar? Cane or raw? Should we just go with Stevia instead? Is it even okay to consume artificial sweeteners? Should we avoid foods with high amounts of natural sugar in them? Each answer only seems to lead to another question!  Let’s start off with distinguishing the purpose of sugar in the first place. Do our bodies even need it? The short answer is yes! Sugars are carbohydrates (what we commonly call “carbs”), one of the three main macronutrients that our bodies need for fuel to function and survive. One of the major ways to categorize sugar is by separating the “natural” sugars from the “added” sugars. Natural sugars are, well, naturally found in foods. They give us the energy th
Read more

Milk Mythbusters

-
Image
Just like with any nutrition topic, the facts about milk can become convoluted pretty quickly. Whether you drink milk for the protein, the nutrients, the flavor, or just like to switch it up, there are pros and cons to every kind. Here are some quick nutritional facts about each type to help you decide which is best for you. Animal-Based Milks  Whole Milk: The original diary drink. It gets a bad rap, but what whole milk has going for it, is that it’s in its proper nutritional form. Whole milk contains all of its original fat-soluble vitamins, A, E, D, & K, along with the fat to help you absorb them all. It also has the proper concentrations and ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids, or your omega-3s and omega-6s, so that they are metabolized as they should be. The downside is that whole milk is calorically dense, meaning that a little goes a long way. You don’t need much to get what you need, so just don’t overdo it!  2% Milk: The fat content of 2% milk is about half of that in who
Read more