Newsbites: Sugary Drinks; Calorie Counts; Energy Drinks; Veggies

Calculating Human Toll of Sugary Drinks

Consumption of sugary drinks may lead to an estimated 184,000 adult deaths each year worldwide, according to research recently published in the journal Circulation. “Many countries in the world have a significant number of deaths occurring from a single dietary factor—sugar-sweetened beverages,” says Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, senior author of the study and dean of Tufts’ Friedman School. Dr. Mozaffarian is also editor-in-chief of the Health & Nutrition Letter. “It should be a global priority to substantially reduce or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages from the diet.”

In the first detailed global report on the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages, researchers estimated deaths and disabilities in 2010. They defined such beverages as any sugar-sweetened sodas, fruit drinks, sports/energy drinks, sweetened iced teas or homemade drinks that contained at least 50 calories per eight-ounce serving (excluding 100% fruit juice). Estimates of consumption were made from 62 dietary surveys including 611,971 individuals across 51 countries, along with data on availability of sugar in 187 countries.

Based on established longitudinal and trial evidence on effects of sugar-sweetened beverages for obesity and diabetes, the study estimated that sugar-sweetened beverage intake contributed to 133,000 deaths from diabetes, 45,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,450 deaths from cancer. Death rates varied greatly between populations, from less than 1% in Japanese over 65 years old to 30% in Mexican adults younger than 45. Overall, of the 20 most populous countries, Mexico had the highest death rate attributable to sugar-sweetened beverages, with the US ranked second.

“Some population dietary changes, such as increasing fruits and vegetables, can be challenging due to agriculture, costs, storage and other complexities. This is not complicated,” says Dr. Mozaffarian. “There are no health benefits from sugar-sweetened beverages, and the potential impact of reducing consumption is saving tens of thousands of deaths each year.”

Chain-Restaurant Calorie Counts Delayed

Responding to pleas from the restaurant industry, the US Food and Drug Administration pushed back its deadline for chain eateries and other food outlets to post calorie counts on their menus. The delay, to Dec. 1, 2016, gives restaurants with 20 or more locations, movie theaters, vending-machine firms, amusement parks and supermarkets with takeout food an extra year to comply. Pizza parlors had been especially vocal against the rule. Even some supporters cited the lack of a key guidance document from the FDA, with less than six months to go, as necessitating a delay. Others, however, said the extension only gives the restaurant industry more time to lobby against the rule ever going into effect. (For tips on healthy eating out, see this issue’s special pull-out supplement.)

Four Cups of Coffee OK—But Watch the Energy Drinks

After the fourth espresso, maybe it’s time to switch to decaf. That’s the message from European Union (EU) food-safety regulators, who for the first time recommended that adults should keep their daily caffeine intake below 400 milligrams. Four standard espressos (or two and a half Starbucks venti lattes) would add up to about that much, but regulators are actually more concerned about less-traditional sources of caffeine, including colas and energy drinks. The findings were similar to the recent Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report. An EU spokesperson said, “The main message of the report is that consumers must account for caffeine consumption from sources other than coffee. The health risk is not enormous, but it exists.”

For most adults, the report concluded, there are no safety concerns from caffeine intake from all sources up to 400 milligrams daily. Pregnant women should not exceed 200 milligrams daily, and youths under age 18 should limit intake to 3 milligrams per kilogram of weight (1.36 milligrams per pound). Among 13 EU countries studied, Denmark had the highest caffeine consumption, with 33% of consumers exceeding the 400-milligram limit; in France, despite its café culture, only 5.8% topped that mark.

Home-brewed coffee contains about 12 milligrams of caffeine per ounce, or 96 in a typical 8-ounce cup. Energy drinks can vary from 40 to 90 milligrams per serving.

Tracking Veggie Trends

Although American farmers, responsible for four-fifths of the vegetables we eat, produced 5% more last year, American consumers aren’t eating more veggies. A recent US Department of Agriculture report says vegetable consumption was almost flat at about 1.6 cups per capita. The report did reveal a few encouraging shifts in consumption, however, with slight declines in the popularity of fresh white potatoes and processed potatoes, iceberg lettuce and sweet corn. Among the generally more nutritious veggies trending up are Romaine and other lettuces, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus and artichokes.

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