Soft drinks blamed for diabetes and heart disease

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High consumption of sugar-sweetened sofas, sport drinks and fruit drinks daily may be responsible for more than 100,000 cases of diabetes over the last decade, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s 50th Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention.

The study also suggests that drinking sugar-loaded beverages may be responsible for 14,000 new cases of coronary heart disease and 50,000 additional life-years burdened by coronary heart disease last decade.

In a press release, the American Heart Association recommends that Americans limit their consumption of added sugar for most women to no more than 100 calories (25 grams) per day and for most men to 150 calories (37.5 grams) and limit their consumption of soft drinks to 450 calories r less per week.

A health observer, who didn't want to be named, cautioned that the AHA's recommendation does not claim that drinking soft drink or use added sugar to such a level does not pose any risk.  He suggests that AHA should not be in a position to make such a recommendation and physicians are trained to write prescriptions, but not to give advice on nutrition.

Sugar consumption has been associated with a myriad of health conditions including cancer.

By Jimmy Downs