There are few things as refreshing as an ice cold drink on a hot day. But is it really as good for you as it feels?
Sugar, like alcohol and cocaine, activates the brain’s reward area, causing the nerve cells to release dopamine, which in turn leads to the feeling of a positive experience. This reaction sets in motion a reinforcing pattern that helps explain why we keep coming back for more and more in order to keep getting the same feeling.
Recent studies have shown that most adults get 10% or more of their daily calories from added sugar. However, in many this can increase to above 25% of their daily calorie intake. The rise in sugar intake parallels the rise in obesity throughout the world. Such high intake of sugar paves the way for future chronic metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance and diabetes; hypertension and heart disease, stroke and cancer. The obesity epidemic kills over decades. It is recommended that one’s intake should not exceed 6 teaspoons of added sugar in total per day.
Now what about that tin of Coke, or the energy drink we are so fond of? Surely it contains some sugar, and if that makes us feel guilty, we rather select a bottle of flavoured water, which must be far healthier, not so?
In Rapport of 9 August 2015 a comparison of the sugar levels in popular cold drinks indicates that a tin of Coke or Sparletta Crème Soda contains the equivalent of 9 teaspoons of sugar. So does that innocent looking bottle of Strawberry flavoured Bonaqua sparkling water. Energy drinks are also high in sugar levels. A small tin of Red Bull contains 7 teaspoons of sugar, while the Powerade sports drink beats them all with the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar. ( 1 teaspoon = 4 g )
High sugar intakes often results in obesity as insulin promotes fat storage. Obesity often leads to insulin and leptin resistance. An insulin and leptin resistant person stores fat more easily; is always hungry, thus eats more and stores more; there is less burning of fat for energy, thus the feeling of less or no energy, and thus no inclination to exercise. The daily intake of excess sugar drives this process. So beware of that cold drink, it may do much more than quench your thirst!
HEALTH INSIGHT
MARCH 2017
