Last call for alcohol…Oh … I meant big gulps.
Now this is one of the more peculiar, but real stories in the news.
Today is the final day in NYC for any sort of food vendors to sell supersized sugary drinks, as their Mayor’s (Michael Bloomberg) controversial ban on drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces goes into effect tomorrow.
It seems Mayor Bloomberg is seeking to reduce obesity rates by banning the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, street carts and movie theaters. It’s the first restriction of its kind in the country.
Some delis and restaurants that sell bottled drinks will have a three-month grace period to sell off their inventory. But for everyone else, the ban kicks in now.
I’m shocked to hear of such a ban, BUT not opposed to it. (Steps on soapbox) America is out of control with a whole host of issues – violence, promiscuity, drugs, obesity. For the sake of staying on topic, I’ll focus only on the effects of sugar because I could go on for days. Three points: 1) sodas are the largest source of sugar in the diet of children and adolescents 2) high consumption of soda can lead to increased weight gain and 3) high consumption of sugar can possibly lead to diabetes.
While adults are “suffering” too, his ban has more to do with reducing the affects of sugar on young people and attempting to reduce their sugar temptation. No, it won’t solve the problem, but it may make it more difficult to get the sugar fix. Sadly sugar is a treat most people can’t stay away from. Many people consume it morning, noon, and night. Not to be dramatic, sugar does stimulate a response in the brain that creates addiction. Anyone who has tried to wean themselves off sugar knows I am telling the truth. #IJS
Point #2, Harvard studies have found that a rising consumption of sugary drinks has been a major contributor to obesity. A 20-year study on 120,000 men and women found that people who increased their sugary drink consumption by one 12-ounce serving per day gained more weight over time than people who did not change their intake. Another study found that for each additional 12-ounce soda children consumed each day, the odds of becoming obese increased by 60% during 1½ years of follow-up.
Point #3, According to a study published in the Feb. issue of the journal PLoS One, increased sugar in a population’s food supply was linked to higher diabetes rates independent of rates of obesity. In other words, it’s not just obesity that can cause diabetes – sugar can cause it, too, without the cousin of obesity tagging along. People who consume sugary drinks regularly—1 to 2 cans a day or more—have a 26% greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who rarely have such drinks.
Hopefully, the next step will be to reduce the foods that are loaded with sugar and its disguises like corn sweeteners and high-fructose corn syrup. In the meantime, it looks like many other cities may follow suit. Authorities in a Washington D.C. are looking to implement a ban on soda-dispensing vending machines in public middle schools and high schools as well.
I know anytime the government steps in, all sorts of political labels like socialism get thrown around and people lose their minds. If only we could just focus on facts and not let our imaginations run wild. We’re the best country in the nations, how we have such petty problems when we know better is beyond me. When you know better, you’re supposed to do better not worse. And if it starts with a big gulp, then so be it. It’s got to start somewhere. Instead of being mad that someone took your big gulp away, think how out of control you had to be for it to be taken away in the first place. SMH ..
(Stepping off soapbox)
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