Soft Drinks News and Research

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Today's OpEds: Shift entitlement spending to the states; The lack of a GOP health plan; Battling tobacco

The U.S. fiscal path is unsustainable, primarily because of out-of-control entitlement spending. … At some point, therefore, the economy is due to crash unless Washington reins in spending. One way to avoid this outcome would be to transfer entitlement programs to the states ... failure to slash entitlements could mean a bankrupt economy. When that happens, it's sure to be the poor who suffer the most (Jeffrey Miron, 7/16).

17 Jul 2010

High fructose diet can cause hypertension

People who eat a diet high in fructose, in the form of added sugar, are at increased risk of developing high blood pressure, or hypertension, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

2 Jul 2010

Scientists describe development of special sensor that uses maglev for analyzing food, beverages

Scientists are reporting development of a new use for magnetic levitation, or "maglev," the futuristic technology best known for enabling high-speed passenger trains to float above the tracks. In ACS' bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, they describe putting maglev to use in an inexpensive sensor for analyzing food, water, and other beverages.

24 Jun 2010

Fructose makes cells mature into fat cells in belly fat, study finds

Fructose, the sugar widely used as high-fructose corn syrup in soft drinks and processed foods, often gets some of the blame for the widespread rise in obesity. Now a laboratory study has found that when fructose is present as children's fat cells mature, it makes more of these cells mature into fat cells in belly fat and less able to respond to insulin in both belly fat and fat located below the skin.

22 Jun 2010

Alliance for a Healthier Generation recognizes 179 schools for increasing healthy eating, physical activity

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, today recognized 179 schools that have transformed their campuses into healthier places for students and staff. President Bill Clinton, American Heart Association Chairman Neil Meltzer, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation President and CEO Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey presented awards during an event in New York City.

15 Jun 2010

Isobionics finalizes fermentation process for production of natural Valencene Pure

Isobionics has finalized the development of a breakthrough fermentation process for production of its natural Valencene Pure. This product, which is an aroma substance for the food, beverage, flavor and fragrance industry, is now available on a commercial scale. Compared with conventional valencene, which is produced from oranges, it offers the advantage of high purity and constant quality.

7 Jun 2010

International HBSC network expands to study health behaviours of young people

This is a unique international project held in collaboration with WHO Europe. The international HBSC network is constantly expanding in order to include all European countries with the goal to study the dynamics of health and health behaviours of young people in the process of uniting Europe. Bulgaria participated for the first time in the HBSC, together with 40 different countries and regions from Europe, Canada and USA.

28 May 2010

Increased BMI levels not attributed to sugar consumption: Study

A new independent study of scientific research has revealed that, contrary to the widely held hypothesis, dietary sugars are not the driving factor behind rising body mass index (BMI) levels in children in Great Britain.

27 May 2010

Research shows reduced consumption of SSB lowers blood pressure

Drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages — a leading source of added sugar in the U.S. diet — may lower blood pressure, according to research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

26 May 2010

EHSI reports favorable completion of due diligence with Stand-By Systems

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. disclosed today that the Company has just favorably completed the financial review phase of due diligence with Stand-By Systems. EHSI recently executed an option with Stand-By Systems; owner of the new FDA approved SBS 1615 catalytic oxygen generator, as well as the associated LIFEDGE® and MAYDAY® emergency systems. EHSI is currently performing due diligence under this option.

25 May 2010

Health leaders discuss polio, alcohol, childhood obesity at WHA

From the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, the Associated Press reports on what some "describe as a new strategy to get rid of" polio that focuses on developing solutions to "problems in each country, provides more WHO monitoring, like more teleconferences, and holds governments more accountable." The plans also provide "[n]ew [polio] outbreak response plans," according to the AP.

24 May 2010

Indigenous Australians at higher risk of diseases: studies

Central Australia ranks first in incidences of pneumonia among children with alarming figures like 78.4 cases per 1,000 children annually. This is much higher than even South Africa, Uruguay, Gambia, Fiji or Pakistan.

16 May 2010

Tips for cutting back on added sugar

Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Gatorade, and other drinks now come in versions made with "real" sugar as opposed to the often vilified high-fructose corn syrup. A whole swath of sugar alternatives are now available to consumers including the new BioVittoria, an extract of the monk fruit, which is grown in Southern China. But a new special report from Consumer Reports on Health questions whether turning to alternatives is the solution to America's growing obesity epidemic.

15 May 2010

Coffee and fizzy drinks do not cause bowel cancer, says US study

People who drink even large amounts of coffee or sugar-filled fizzy drinks are unlikely to increase their risk of bowel cancer, a large US study has concluded.

10 May 2010

Study: Cigarette smoking, fructose consumption can worsen NAFLD

Recent studies suggest that modifiable risk factors such as cigarette smoking and fructose consumption can worsen nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. With NAFLD, fat accumulates in the liver of overweight individuals despite drinking little alcohol, causing in some cases liver scarring that can lead to liver failure.

27 Apr 2010

Leading experts discuss health effects of low calorie sweeteners at BNF conference

A survey of over 2000 consumers carried out by YouGov on behalf of the British Nutrition Foundation shows that consumers are unsure about how low calorie sweeteners are used, whether they are beneficial for weight loss and whether they are safe.

15 Apr 2010

World first - newborn receives xenon gas in bid to prevent brain injury

In a world first, xenon gas has been successfully delivered to a newborn baby in a bid to prevent brain injury following a lack of oxygen at birth. This pioneering technique was developed by Professor Marianne Thoresen of the University of Bristol and carried out at St Michael’s Hospital, part of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

12 Apr 2010

Research Roundup: Soda taxes, health reform timeline, children's health disparities, best hospital practices

Health Affairs: Soda Taxes, Soft Drink Consumption, And Children's Body Mass Index - "Using data on state sales taxes for soda and individual-level data on children," the authors report existing taxes on soda fail to "substantially affect overall levels of soda consumption or obesity rates." However, the authors also found "statistically significant and substantively larger effects of differential soda sales taxes among children who are heavier, have lower family income, are African American, or watch a great deal of TV.

3 Apr 2010

Larger taxes on soft drinks may help reduce consumption among children

Small sales taxes on soft drinks in the range currently in force in some states are insufficient to reduce consumption of soda or curb obesity among children, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

2 Apr 2010

Researchers investigate link between consumption of high-fructose corn syrup and obesity

A Princeton University research team has demonstrated that all sweeteners are not equal when it comes to weight gain: Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same.

23 Mar 2010