The ‘Real Sugar’ Scam
May 22nd, 2009 by Jeb Foster
Look, I’m not a fan of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). It’s terrible for your health, and the industrial cultivation of government-subsidized corn pollutes our environment and corrupts our political system.
But real sugar is not a panacea. More to the point, it does not make soda any healthier. Period. I don’t care if it’s free-trade, organic, straight-from-the-cane sugar that has been blessed by the Dalai Lama. Soda, whether it’s flavored by sugar or HFCS (both of which contain similarly high levels of fructose, believe it or not), will continue to grow waistlines, rot teeth and hasten death by heart disease and diabetes, in the process clogging emergency rooms, and raising health care costs and insurance premiums. (Heart disease and diabetes are the country’s number one and seven killers, and they are also some of the most expensive medical conditions to treat.)
By all means, enjoy your real-sugar-sweetened Pepsi Throwback. Some say it tastes better. Just don’t let savvy marketers convince you that what you’re drinking is healthy. It isn’t! (You’re better off taking your chances with a mug of unsweetened hot tea.)
Or, for those who speak Yoda: Real sugar does not a healthy drink make.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Great post. It’s actually a sore point for me as it’s a long running debate in my family. I am against these types of drinks but I am outvoted and against my objections they drink these kind of drinks.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Dave:
Thanks for the comment! I think it’s certainly an uphill battle trying to keep kids away from soda, particularly when it’s sold — and even advertised — in schools.
After I wrote the post, I worried that I sounded like a bit of a scold … but I’m glad there are people who agree with me.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:24 am
TRY STEVIA—-PERHAPS THE INDUSTRY WILL DISCOVER IT AND USE THAT IN DRINKS. THEN I’D BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM. AS IT IS SODAS ETC. ARE JUST NOT WORTH THE CALORIES!!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I’ve wondered about Stevia. Haven’t tried it but have heard nothing but good about it. But I totally agree with you on the calories point, Nadine. I usually opt for tea instead.
Thanks for reading!
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