SODA GOES POP
Have you been following the latest on soda? Well, yes or no, here's the news (I quote from an AP story) that's prompting all the chatter:
(R)esearch comes from a massive, multi-generational heart study following residents of Framingham, Mass., a town about 25 miles west of Boston. The new study of 9,000 observations of middle-aged men and women was published Monday online in the journal Circulation.
The researchers found those who drank one or more sodas a day - diet or regular - had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, compared to those who drank sodas infrequently. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that increase the risk for heart disease including large waistlines and higher levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides.
At the start of the study, those who reported drinking one or more soft drinks a day had a 48 percent increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to those who drank less soda.
Of participants who initially showed no signs of metabolic syndrome, those who drank one or more sodas a day were at 44 percent higher risk of developing it four years later, they reported.
Now, I take flak from friends about the fact that I don't like cola beverages and eschew soda in general. My feeling is that all that sweetness dulls the palate for the nuances of other flavors. I don't have a lot of respect for folks who consider themselves food savvy, then wash down their dinners with cola. Nothing goes better with a wash of liquid sweet, natural or artificial.
But this study is giving soda-drinkers pause - and I'd like to hear the thoughts of both soda-drinkers and those who don't touch the stuff.
cheers,
Andy
7.24.07
(R)esearch comes from a massive, multi-generational heart study following residents of Framingham, Mass., a town about 25 miles west of Boston. The new study of 9,000 observations of middle-aged men and women was published Monday online in the journal Circulation.
The researchers found those who drank one or more sodas a day - diet or regular - had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, compared to those who drank sodas infrequently. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that increase the risk for heart disease including large waistlines and higher levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides.
At the start of the study, those who reported drinking one or more soft drinks a day had a 48 percent increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to those who drank less soda.
Of participants who initially showed no signs of metabolic syndrome, those who drank one or more sodas a day were at 44 percent higher risk of developing it four years later, they reported.
Now, I take flak from friends about the fact that I don't like cola beverages and eschew soda in general. My feeling is that all that sweetness dulls the palate for the nuances of other flavors. I don't have a lot of respect for folks who consider themselves food savvy, then wash down their dinners with cola. Nothing goes better with a wash of liquid sweet, natural or artificial.
But this study is giving soda-drinkers pause - and I'd like to hear the thoughts of both soda-drinkers and those who don't touch the stuff.
cheers,
Andy
7.24.07
posted by Andrea Clurfeld at 12:19 PM
3 Comments:
Soda is only good as a mixer for drinks (as in tonic or club), or Nigella Lawson's Ham in Coca-Cola from her book NIGELLA BITES, which is addictive (you use the leftover liquid to make South Beach Black Bean Soup, amazing...)
Other than that I avoid soda and encourage you to remember - 10 TEASPOONS OF SUGAR IN COKE, and aspartame KILLS.
I think you made the point that soda isn't a food, but a bad habit. Adults should break their habit so children don't learn from them. It should not be in schools for lunch and it should not be in homes for dinner. It is not snack food either. You pointed out Fizzy Lizzy fruit sodas the other day and I bought the cranberry variety at Sickles. Just fruit juice and sparkling water and excellent. Thank you for the tip.
I also wanted to comment that I enjoyed the Early Bounty farmer story of a few weeks ago and hope to see more news like this. You have asked for others to tell of the farms they buy from, but I tend to go where you recommend and appreciate the tips. I went to the Early Bounty farmer in Freehold on 524 and found the quality as excellent as you say. Keep the reports coming!
Hey Andrea,
How about if you filled out the readers choice eating and drinking section and posted it here?
I would love to see who you would vote for.
Robin
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