Put down the soda

Banish Sugary Beverages to Achieve Weight Management Goals

           

In that the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages and body weight is contentious, Harvard University (Massachusetts, USA) researchers conducted a systematic review to summarize the evidence. Vasanti S Malik and colleagues completed a meta-analysis involving 32 original studies involving over 200,000 adults and children. The team found that children experienced a decrease in body mass index gain when sugar-sweetened beverages were reduced. As well, randomized controlled trial data suggested that adults showed a 0.22 kg increase in body weight in a year, when sugar-sweetened beverages were consumed. The study authors warn that: “Our systematic review and meta-analysis … provides evidence that [sugar-sweetened beverage] consumption promotes weight gain in children and adults.”