The rise in the general public’s perception of health and well-being has grown to become a serious public talking point when it comes to the food we consume and the choice and options that food companies offer to us. Sugar has a huge impact on our bodies, and with more and more foods containing sugars, colourings and additives, it is a common concern in the society now that: should foods such as soft drinks carry tobacco style warning labels?
It is well known that sugar has bad effects on our health, as is shown with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and the prevalence of obesity, so what are the food companies doing to help consumers make better choices? Many large food companies such as Coca Cola, Pepsi and McDonalds offer a variety of different, so called ‘healthier’ options on their menus and range of foods and beverages, but is that far enough?
High Quantities of Sugars Contained in Soft Drinks
Within the soft drinks industry, Coca Cola and Pepsi have continually tried to listen to the consumers and their demands. Diet Coke or Coke Light in some regions was introduced, offering a reduced sugar content that allowed many consumers to get the same great taste at a calorie-friendly level.
In recent years, Coke Zero was launched that contained no sugar at all, and instead used the chemical sweetener Aspartame which is a natural chemical that is 100 times sweeter than sugar but contains only a tenth of the calories. Whilst many people enjoyed this new sweet drink that contains no sugar, others have become worried by the potential side effects of aspartame on the body.
Addictive, Sweet and Unhealthy
Considered the most addictive substance on the planet, sugar has been given a bad rap for destroying many peoples’ lives. In the majority of cases, even careful calorie-counters who take care in watching out for damaging foods have seen sugar and sweeteners slipped into everyday foods such as pre-made spaghetti bolognaise and even bread.
During this year, Coca Cola has launched a new drink called Coke Life, which is said to use a natural sugar. Although contains a few calories it is much less fattening than regular sugar and is safer than aspartame.However, more regulation needs to be done to improve the health of people who regularly drink soft drinks.In addition to that, health warnings should be displayed prominently, such as those on tobacco packets to allow people to make a more informed choice.
Attempts to Tackle the Obesity Fight
More needs to be done to tackle the fight against obesity and the surrounding complications and diseases that come from high sugar intake. While the food companies need to be pushed into action, the government is working on strategies such as health warnings to help consumers make a more informed choice at the checkouts.
Image Sources
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globe-views.com
www.giglig.com
Image Sources
imgur.com
globe-views.com
www.giglig.com
