Good news!  For the 11th straight year, soda consumption in the US has declined.  A report released last week from the Center for Science in the Public Interest said per capita consumption of sugary soft drinks is down 22% since its peak in 1998.

Yay!

The CSPI said in 1998 the average American consumed over 5,100 ounces of sugary soda per year; that’s equal to 425 twelve ounce cans of non-diet soda per person.  This year, the amount is down to 4,344 ounces per year, saving every man, woman and child in the US 140 calories per day.   However, according to CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson there’s still a ways to go as Americans are still drinking a can and a half a day.

The CSPI recommends a “sin tax” of 1 penny per ounce of soda and/or labeling on soda cans that warn of obesity, health problems and tooth decay. Their report states:

A state such as California, which already imposes a small sales tax on soft drinks, could raise nearly $2 billion each year if the state added a penny-per-ounce excise tax on soda. The state could put some of that money toward the state’s share of the $10 billion in medical expenses incurred each year by obese Californians. The revenues could also fund programs to encourage healthy eating and physical activity, such as media campaigns to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages.

And don’t think diet sodas are any better.  A study of 1,500 people at the University of Texas said the risk of obesity was actually higher when subjects only drank diet sodas. For each can of diet soda consumed per day, the risk of obesity went up by 41%.

We suggest quenching your thirst with some good old fashioned water, or perhaps some tea.  I’ll often fill a glass 75% with water and then 25% fruit juice for a little flavor (often I combine pomegranate and OJ). It tastes great, you get some anti-oxidants and it’s very few calories.

What do you think?  Do you think we should impose a “sin tax” on soda? Should soda cans come with warning labels?  Is it okay for our kids to drink them in school?

Would love to hear your feedback. Here’s a NY State Public Service Announcement about soda. It’s only 30 seconds and a bit eye opening!

Lisa

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