Energy and Soft Drinks - Acidic Beverages That Cause Disease
Soft drink consumption is now considered as a contributing factor in the development of obesity in Australian and New Zealand children. Research has also shown that soft drink consumption can increase the risk of diabetes and other health problems. The link between soft drinks and child obesity has also been shown in the US, where research has shown that:
a) Over the past 50 years soft drink consumption in the US has increased 500% per capita – now representing the largest single source of calories in the American diet.
b) 50% of Americans consume soft drinks every day
c) Between 1991 and 1995 alone, consumption increased by 40% and even more for teenage boys, who now drink nearly 600ml a day the equivalent of 15 teaspoons of sugar
d) This increase in soft drink consumption is considered at least partly to blame for the doubling of childhood obesity rates in the last 15 years – as every extra glass or can of soft drink that a child consumes on a daily basis, increases the likelihood of being obese 1.6 times.
Sugar linked with mental problems
Teens who drank the most sugary soft drinks also had more mental health problems such as hyperactivity and distress, Norwegian researchers have reported.
Their study of more than 5,000 Norwegian 15- and 16-year-olds showed a clear and direct association between soft drink intake and hyperactivity, and a more complex link with other mental and behavioural disorders.
They surveyed the students, asking them how many fizzy soft drinks with sugar they had a day, and then questions from a standard questionnaire used to assess mental health.
The teens who reported skipping breakfast and lunch were among the heaviest soft drink consumers, Dr. Lars Lien and colleagues at the University of Oslo found.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/childrens-health/sugar-linked-with-mental-problems/2006/10/05/1159641445721.html
a) Over the past 50 years soft drink consumption in the US has increased 500% per capita – now representing the largest single source of calories in the American diet.
b) 50% of Americans consume soft drinks every day
c) Between 1991 and 1995 alone, consumption increased by 40% and even more for teenage boys, who now drink nearly 600ml a day the equivalent of 15 teaspoons of sugar
d) This increase in soft drink consumption is considered at least partly to blame for the doubling of childhood obesity rates in the last 15 years – as every extra glass or can of soft drink that a child consumes on a daily basis, increases the likelihood of being obese 1.6 times.
Sugar linked with mental problems
Teens who drank the most sugary soft drinks also had more mental health problems such as hyperactivity and distress, Norwegian researchers have reported.
Their study of more than 5,000 Norwegian 15- and 16-year-olds showed a clear and direct association between soft drink intake and hyperactivity, and a more complex link with other mental and behavioural disorders.
They surveyed the students, asking them how many fizzy soft drinks with sugar they had a day, and then questions from a standard questionnaire used to assess mental health.
The teens who reported skipping breakfast and lunch were among the heaviest soft drink consumers, Dr. Lars Lien and colleagues at the University of Oslo found.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/childrens-health/sugar-linked-with-mental-problems/2006/10/05/1159641445721.html
Dangers of Diet Soda
People who regularly consume large amounts of soft drink may be at increased risk of depression, an Australian study shows (Public Health Nutrition 2010; in press).
A population-based survey of nearly 5000 people linked consumption of more than half a litre of soft drink per day to depression and psychological distress, but not anxiety.
The authors said it was unclear whether the effect related to the sugar content of soft drinks or to other factors.
Meanwhile, other Australian researchers have found that, among 1000 randomly selected women, a Western diet high in refined grains, fried food, beer and sugary products was associated with having a mood disorder (American Journal of Psychiatry 2010; in press). A balanced diet of vegetables, fruit, meat, fish and whole grains was linked to lower odds of having depression and anxiety.
Why is diet soda unhealthy?
1. Neurotoxic
While artificial sweeteners may be a zero calorie alternative to sugar, they are in no way healthier. Diet sodas may use a variety of artificial sweeteners in place of sugar, including aspartame, which acts as a neurotoxin.
Also known as NutraSweet, aspartame originally received FDA approval for use in carbonated beverages in1983, and it still remains the most commonly used sweetener in diet soda. Annually, reactions to aspartame result for a majority of the adverse reaction reports made to the food and drug administration.
The Dangers of Aspartame
Aspartame contains negligible calories. Once in the human body, aspartame breaks down into phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol. Methanol is a wood alcohol poison that, when heated above 86 degrees Fahrenheit (the human body temperature is 98.6 degrees), converts to formaldehyde. is also an excitotoxin that builds up in the brain, and can excite brain neurons to the point of cell death.
Causes Headaches and Other Symptoms
Another artificial sweetener commonly used in diet sodas, sucralose, may cause a host of health problems including headaches.
Made from a modified sugar molecule, sucralose is supposed to pass through the body unabsorbed. Because sucralose is relatively new in the market still, its long-term effects have not been measured. Some evidence1 suggests sucralose may cause migraines, gastrointestinal issues, and thymus gland damage. Sucralose may also intensify sugar cravings, increase appetite, and trigger insulin release.
A population-based survey of nearly 5000 people linked consumption of more than half a litre of soft drink per day to depression and psychological distress, but not anxiety.
The authors said it was unclear whether the effect related to the sugar content of soft drinks or to other factors.
Meanwhile, other Australian researchers have found that, among 1000 randomly selected women, a Western diet high in refined grains, fried food, beer and sugary products was associated with having a mood disorder (American Journal of Psychiatry 2010; in press). A balanced diet of vegetables, fruit, meat, fish and whole grains was linked to lower odds of having depression and anxiety.
Why is diet soda unhealthy?
1. Neurotoxic
While artificial sweeteners may be a zero calorie alternative to sugar, they are in no way healthier. Diet sodas may use a variety of artificial sweeteners in place of sugar, including aspartame, which acts as a neurotoxin.
Also known as NutraSweet, aspartame originally received FDA approval for use in carbonated beverages in1983, and it still remains the most commonly used sweetener in diet soda. Annually, reactions to aspartame result for a majority of the adverse reaction reports made to the food and drug administration.
The Dangers of Aspartame
Aspartame contains negligible calories. Once in the human body, aspartame breaks down into phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol. Methanol is a wood alcohol poison that, when heated above 86 degrees Fahrenheit (the human body temperature is 98.6 degrees), converts to formaldehyde. is also an excitotoxin that builds up in the brain, and can excite brain neurons to the point of cell death.
Causes Headaches and Other Symptoms
Another artificial sweetener commonly used in diet sodas, sucralose, may cause a host of health problems including headaches.
Made from a modified sugar molecule, sucralose is supposed to pass through the body unabsorbed. Because sucralose is relatively new in the market still, its long-term effects have not been measured. Some evidence1 suggests sucralose may cause migraines, gastrointestinal issues, and thymus gland damage. Sucralose may also intensify sugar cravings, increase appetite, and trigger insulin release.
Parents Urged To Learn About Additives - Kids Made ‘Dumber and Fatter’ By Energy Drinks and Soft Drinks.
How many parents want their kids to grow up dumb and fat?
Unfortunately over 80% of Aussie parents don’t realise that the soft drink aisle down at their local supermarket is not just ripping off their savings - it’s damaging their kids - and linked to obesity, depression and lower IQ.
Should schools ban soft drinks? Yes, absolutely. You can't educate kids on one hand, and let them gross out on soft drinks in the other.
Don’t expect our Government to protect your kids anytime soon. They don’t regulate chemical additives in foods and drinks like they do in other countries.
Unfortunately over 80% of Aussie parents don’t realise that the soft drink aisle down at their local supermarket is not just ripping off their savings - it’s damaging their kids - and linked to obesity, depression and lower IQ.
Should schools ban soft drinks? Yes, absolutely. You can't educate kids on one hand, and let them gross out on soft drinks in the other.
Don’t expect our Government to protect your kids anytime soon. They don’t regulate chemical additives in foods and drinks like they do in other countries.
Alkaline Water - The Ultimate Health Drink For Young, Old And Even Olympic Athletes
Alkaline water is the ideal way to combat the effects of our modern, stressful ʻacidicʼ lifestyles.
However alkaline water can be very expensive - especially brands found in most health stores.
Alkaline water has shown to be very beneficial in helping to fight the effects of our modern acidic lifestyles. Sugar, bread, dairy foods, meat, soft drinks, coffee, beer, wine - even stress and a lack of exercise - all create acidity in the body.
Acidity is linked to most of our modern health problems, including obesity, diabetes, arthritic conditions, heart disease, cancer and even mental health issues like insomnia, depression and hyper-tension.
Alkaline water should be affordable - and not have to be an expensive luxury.
However alkaline water can be very expensive - especially brands found in most health stores.
Alkaline water has shown to be very beneficial in helping to fight the effects of our modern acidic lifestyles. Sugar, bread, dairy foods, meat, soft drinks, coffee, beer, wine - even stress and a lack of exercise - all create acidity in the body.
Acidity is linked to most of our modern health problems, including obesity, diabetes, arthritic conditions, heart disease, cancer and even mental health issues like insomnia, depression and hyper-tension.
Alkaline water should be affordable - and not have to be an expensive luxury.
Children's healthy diets lead to healthier IQ - Alkaline is better for you.
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Children fed healthy diets in early age may have a slightly higher IQ, while those on heavier junk food diets may have a slightly reduced IQ, according to new research from the University of Adelaide.
The study - led by University of Adelaide Public Health researcher Dr Lisa Smithers - looked at the link between the eating habits of children at six months, 15 months and two years, and their IQ at eight years of age.
The study of more than 7000 children compared a range of dietary patterns, including traditional and contemporary home-prepared food, ready-prepared baby foods, breastfeeding, and 'discretionary' or junk foods.
Children fed healthy diets in early age may have a slightly higher IQ, while those on heavier junk food diets may have a slightly reduced IQ, according to new research from the University of Adelaide.
The study - led by University of Adelaide Public Health researcher Dr Lisa Smithers - looked at the link between the eating habits of children at six months, 15 months and two years, and their IQ at eight years of age.
The study of more than 7000 children compared a range of dietary patterns, including traditional and contemporary home-prepared food, ready-prepared baby foods, breastfeeding, and 'discretionary' or junk foods.