A 12-ounce can of soda may seem harmless, but it could actually lead to death.
One in 100 deaths of obese people internationally is linked to the consumption of sugary drinks, according to a recent presentation at an American Heart Association scientific conference.
This information did not surprise 19-year-old UF health science sophomore Courtney Brady.
“I always assumed that fat people drink soda every day which contributes to why they are fat and die,” she said.
But she, too, sometimes indulges on blue slushies from gas stations. However, she does not think people in general realize how extreme the consequences of drinking soda daily can be.
“People think, ‘oh, it’s just a drink,’” Brady said.
Margarita Torres, a registered dietician and professor at Santa Fe College, agrees. It is easy to forget that liquids contain calories, too, she said.
The repercussion of drinking a 64-ounce fountain soda can add up to 700 calories, according to Harvard’s School of Public Health.
It is imperative to remember that one pound is equal to 3,500 calories, Torres said. If someone drinks one 700-calorie drink each day, it can add up to more than one pound a week.
“It’s literally liquid sugar,” Torres said.
Anne Mathews, a registered dietician and an assistant professor for UF’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, does not think sugary drinks are the only problem.
“The main problem is the lack of focus on overall diet quality,” she said.
Jacob Weiss, a 21-year-old UF building construction senior, does not think this news will change his soda-drinking habits significantly.
“I am not obese, so one soda daily isn’t a big deal,” he said. “I know it’s unhealthy, but it can’t be worse than drinking alcohol.”
Mathews said it is vital to promote the health benefits of drinking water instead of sugary drinks. There are natural ways to sweeten beverages, including lemon juice in water and honey in tea.
“Consume everything in moderation,” she said. “That is the most important thing.”
