CAN anyone trust anything the softdrink companies say about obesity? The question is prompted by the letter from the MD of Coca-Cola Beverages SA (Sugar tax no sweet fix for obesity, July 25).Food companies have long sponsored junk science to cast doubt on the link between diet and obesity. A 2014 "state of the art" review of the relationship between obesity and cardiovascular disease published in a US cardiology journal did not include the words "sugar", "soda" or "beverage", even though sugar is central to all discussions about obesity.Not surprisingly, three of the five authors of the paper had a financial relationship with Coca-Cola.Last August, The New York Times disclosed that Coca-Cola had been secretly funding an antiobesity group that focused on physical exercise rather than the need to reduce sugar in diet.For sugary drink manufacturers, research is a marketing tool.Sugary drinks are a major source of excess sugar in the diet, and higher prices will reduce consumption.This...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.