Study estimates sugary drinks more deadly than violent crime in Mexico
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Mexico is renowned for being one of the most dangerous countries in the world, so it might sound strange to hear that sugary
drinks pose a bigger threat to life here than violent crime.
Sugar-sweetened beverages such as Coca-Cola, Gatorade and homemade drinks known as "agua fresca" kill far more people every year in Mexico than
criminal gangs.
A study by the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University estimates a staggering 24,000 Mexicans die each year from diabetes,
cancer and heart disease that are linked to sugary drinks.
Compare that figure to the roughly 15,649 murders officially recorded in 2014 and it's clear which is the biggest killer in the Latin American
country.
Worldwide, the total sugary-drink death toll is estimated at 184,000, with more than 70% of deaths caused by diabetes. The researchers said this was
the first detailed global report on the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Out of the 20 most populous countries studied, Mexico's death rate from sugary drinks was the highest by a long way, with an estimated 405 deaths per
million adults.
The United States was a distant second with an estimated 125 deaths per million adults, although its total number of deaths was slightly higher than
Mexico's at 25,000.
Mexico's death rate from sugary drinks is alarming, but not all that surprising when you consider that the country is also the world's biggest
consumer of sodas. The average Mexican drinks a whopping 43 gallons of soda each year — nearly 40% more than the average American, who knocks back 31
gallons.
And one of the most popular drinks in the country is Coca-Cola — it's common to see Mexicans drinking the sugar-laden drink at breakfast — with
Mexicans drinking more Coca-Cola products than any other country on the planet.
"This is not complicated," said Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and senior author of the study, in a
statement.
"There are no health benefits from sugar-sweetened beverages, and the potential impact of reducing consumption is saving tens of thousands of deaths
each year.
"It should be a global priority to substantially reduce or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages from the diet."
The American Beverage Association said the study does not definitively show drinking sugary beverages causes chronic diseases, adding "the authors
themselves acknowledge that they are at best estimating effects of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption."
“America’s beverage companies are doing their part to offer consumers the fact-based information and the beverage options they need to make the right
choices for themselves and their families,” the company said in a statement.
Concerned about the chronically poor health of its population, the Mexican government is encouraging people to kick their sugar addiction by slapping
taxes on high-calorie drinks and junk food.
But in a country where being fat is normal — more than 70% of adults are either overweight or obese — and the Spanish word for fat — "gordo" for men
or "gorda" for women — is often used as a term of endearment rather than an insult, it's not going to be easy.
Notwithstanding that the study makes Liberal use of estimating (read guessing) the extent to which
Soda Pops are actually a serious contributing factor, in a country suffering from an excess of undereducated and underemployed
lower-classes.........................is a high death rate necessarily a BAD thing ?
Or, should it be looked upon as a favorable "Darwinian" winnowing ?
And, could it be said that they die Fat and Happy ?
[Edited on 7-11-2015 by MrBillM]wessongroup - 7-10-2015 at 08:48 PM
Well, we all know Donald's position on "estimates" ...
Trimming the Fat
MrBillM - 7-10-2015 at 10:02 PM
It would be interesting to see an accurate Cost versus Benefit analysis regarding early exits by the subjects
affected.
Given empirical evidence, I suspect that the overall economic impact of their demise would be positive. In the smoking debate, for instance, it has
been found that the cost situation is improved by earlier onset of terminal diseases.
Perhaps, as a society, we should be rethinking our focus on mediating their self-destructive behavior and, in the interest of economic benefit as a
whole, encourage their over-indulgence and consequent early demise.
We seem to be entering a period of more limited resources in every aspect of life. Let's try to reserve what will be available for those prudent
enough to make best use of those resources.
We seem to be entering a period of more limited resources in every aspect of life. Let's try to reserve what will be available for those prudent
enough to make best use of those resources.
Let them Eat, Drink, Smoke and be Merry.
And Die soon.
Interesting proposition it goes along with my idea of legalizing retroactive abortion for people like Rush Limbaugh, Donald Trump etc. Free condoms
with every purchase at OXXO may be an idea that has it's time too. That may put a dent in one of Mexico's, if not the world's, larger problems.
How Sweet Is It?
SFandH - 7-11-2015 at 09:30 AM
A 12 oz can of Coca Cola Classic has 10 teaspoons of sugar, as does 100% orange juice.
Reasoning for Lefties "might" be a journey from A to B BUT..................they invariably end up
lost somewhere else.
The obvious (to other than a Liberal) lack of anology in the two IS that MY advocacy involves allowing people the freedom to
do [harm ?] to THEMSELVES if THEY wish which doesn't do harm to others.
Given that their destructive behavior is likely beneficial (in a financial sense) to the rest of us is a BONUS.
As an aside, one of my more progressive ideas in that sense has been (for years) advocating that popular suicide venues be regulated rather
than discouraged.
Permits could be issued. Observation platforms built. Appointments made and tickets sold.
Win-Win.
Weed out the weaklings, reduce the danger to others, provide entertainment and show a profit.
I haven't found a lot of support, but as the saying goes..............
"Sometimes I feel like I've got vision and everybody else is wearing Bifocals".JoeJustJoe - 7-11-2015 at 10:54 AM
Good news: tax on sugary drinks in Mexico is decreasing consumption
On 1 January 2014, the Mexican government implemented a 10% tax on refrescos (aka sodas, pop, carbonated drinks) and other sugar sweetened drinks,
raising the price by 1 peso (about 7 cents US) per liter, in an attempt to help curb the nation’s obesity problem. The tax became law despite heavy
lobbying against it by the beverage industry. An 8% tax was also added to unhealthy snacks like potato chips and cookies.
Now preliminary results of a study (not yet peer reviewed) by the Mexican National Institute of Public Health and the Carolina Population Center at
the University of North Carolina, show purchases of sugary beverages dropped 6% on average across 2014, and by as much as 12% in the last part of the
year. The study analyzed consumption in 53 Mexican cities, and adjusted for other factors like the small downward trend in consumption of carbonated
drinks in recent years. The effect was greatest in lower income households where purchases were cut by 9% over the year and by 17% in the later
months. Moreover, the researchers claim that Mexicans drank more water after the refresco tax came into effect. http://geo-mexico.com/?p=12970
