Soft drink epidemic

Consumption of sweetened beverages has become one of the causes of obesity and diabetes.

A new study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Health, has found that the consumption of sweetened beverages, like soft drinks and fruit drinks has grown at such an alarming rate that it has become one of the causes of obesity and diabetes.

What is even more dangerous according to the researchers is the fact that soft-drinks could become a serious health hazard as people often tend to cut down on their intake of nutritional liquids like milk, substituting it with soft-drinks instead.

The researchers from the University of North Carolina have revealed that soft-drink consumption amongst American's grew by a shocking 135 percent in the last 24 years and that people between the age groups of 19-39 are the largest consumers of soft drinks.

According to the study, while the portions of sweetened beverages drunk per person in the US jumped from 13.6 ounces to 21 ounces, the total energy derived from soft drinks each day rose on average from 2.8 percent to 7 percent, nearly a tripling of calories.

On the contrary, the energy provided by milk dropped from 8 percent in 1977 to 5 percent in 2004 and the largest drop was seen in the age-groups of 2-8 year olds, which is the period when milk is most required.

The authors of the study are now warning that is a significant contributor to total caloric intake, and that soft-drink advertisements as well the availability of these beverages in schools and outside should be lessened.

"There has been considerable controversy about the promotion of soft drinks in schools and elsewhere. Extensive research on all age groups has shown that consuming these soft drinks and fruit drinks increases weight gain in children and adults," the report quoted Dr Barry M Popkin, who co-authored the study as saying.