Sugar-Free Drinks Do Not Help In Weight Loss

There is no evidence that sugar-free and “diet” drinks help in weight loss as is generally believed and may actually have “detrimental impacts” on health and environment, according to a new research released today. Academics from Imperial College London and two Brazilian universities – University of Sao Paulo and Federal University of Pelotas – argue that sugar-free versions of soft drinks may be no better in preventing weight gain than their full sugar counterparts. “A common perception, which may be influenced by industry marketing, is that because ‘diet’ drinks have…

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4 foods and drinks to avoid if you’re pregnant

Pregnant women are literally “eating for two,” and research shows that their diets impact the food preferences of their unborn children. A study conducted on rats found a positive correlation between a pregnant female’s junk food consumption, and a preference for junk food in her juvenile and adult offspring. The researchers concluded that, “maternal junk food consumption during pregnancy and lactation has functional consequences on the reward pathway of the offspring immediately postweaning,” meaning that because these offspring were exposed to junk food via the placenta or breast milk, they needed to…

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Water, drinks and your health

It’s easy to overlook, but choosing healthier drinks is a key part of getting a balanced diet. Many soft drinks – including instant powdered drinks and hot chocolate – are high in sugar. Food and drinks that are high in sugar are often high in calories, and having too many calories can make you more likely to gain weight. Some energy drinks are high in both sugar and caffeine. Checking the nutrition labels on soft drinks such as fruit juices and fizzy drinks can help you make healthier choices. The Eatwell Guide…

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British Teens Drink a ‘Bathtub’ of Sugary Drinks a Year

British teenagers drink almost a bathtub full of sugary drinks each year, Cancer Research UK said on Tuesday as the charity urged the government to do more to improve children’s diets. Children aged 11 to 18 consume on average 234 cans of sugar-sweetened soft drinks each year, CRUK said. The figure amounts to almost a bath full and is more than double the figure for children aged between four and 10, whose average annual intake is 110 cans. The data stems from a recent report carried out by the government’s…

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Shorter Sleep May Increase Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Drinks

People who sleep five or fewer hours a night are likely to drink significantly more sugary caffeinated drinks, such as sodas and energy drinks, according to a new study. “We think there may be a positive feedback loop where sugary drinks and sleep loss reinforce one another, making it harder for people to eliminate their unhealthy sugar habit,” said Aric A. Prather, assistant professor at the University of California San Francisco. “This data suggests that improving people’s sleep could potentially help them break out of the cycle and cut down…

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Shorter Sleep May Increase Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Drinks

People who sleep five or fewer hours a night are likely to drink significantly more sugary caffeinated drinks, such as sodas and energy drinks, according to a new study. “We think there may be a positive feedback loop where sugary drinks and sleep loss reinforce one another, making it harder for people to eliminate their unhealthy sugar habit,” said Aric A. Prather, assistant professor at the University of California San Francisco. “This data suggests that improving people’s sleep could potentially help them break out of the cycle and cut down…

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