Download Transcript for S2H 002
Subscribe at iTunesSugar has become a major component of the American diet and is believed to be a significant contributor to rising rates of obesity and chronic diseases. One of the most common sources of sugar in the American diet is sugar-sweetened beverages, like soft drinks. In September, 2009 the American Heart Association (AHA) published new recommendations for sugar consumption.
I had the chance to interview the lead author of the AHA Scientific Statement, Dr. Rachel Johnson from the University of Vermont.
Play Podcast 002
References:
Effects of Soft Drink Consumption on Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Foods Contributing to Energy Intake in the US: Data from NHANES III and NHANES 1999-2000
Sweetened beverage consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in women
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Hi Dr.Monte,
A very interesting podcast with a distinctive new format, thank you.
I would like to comment on the so-called “cheapness” of what you so appositely term “nutritionally bankrupt” foods. From my viewpoint these “foods” are not cheap at all. True they may be cheaper than what they might otherwise be without subsidy. But, they are not cheap when compared with other “real” foods. In fact I think it can be shown that wholesome food is overall much cheaper.
As an example I just checked the prices of some items from the UK’s biggest supermarket chain:
The most well-known dark-brown soft drink – 2 litre bottle – £1.59
For that I could buy:
14 apples, or
3 lb of bananas, or
6 litres of soy milk, or
2.5 lb wholegrain rice
The fruit and soy milk would last me most of the week and the rice for weeks. And when I need a drink, there is a tap in my kitchen!
So, relatively, these useless processed foods are VERY expensive. In fact I have noticed that is those foods to which the food industry “adds value” (an oxymoron in this context I think) that cost the most relative to what they are and how many meals worth of nutrition they provide. Conversely, healthy food – pasta, rice, fruit, etc – is relatively cheap. Other than that the protein content of a meal is usually relatively expensive.
So, my thought: eat healthily and save money.
(I realise this picture may be different in the US, but is it so different?)