The scientific evidence shows that moderate consumption of soft drinks have no impact on Obesity

Barcelona, ​​June 2010 -. The possible relationship between obesity and soft drink consumption continues to generate debate among the scientific community and the scientific journal "Obesity Reviews" published an article in which different studies submitted for review to conclude finally that to date no scientific evidence that the Moderate consumption of soft drinks is directly related to increasing obesity.

The authors work titled "Consumption of sweetened beverages and body weight: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials." In it, he selected ten recent studies based on the following criteria: human studies and randomized, with three weeks of follow minimum and not to participate in pregnant women, people who were sick or under stress, such as ie soldiers.

The authors found disparity of findings in the reviewed studies and concluded: "The results of the studies currently available to us does not conclusively show that consumption of sweetened beverages in obesity contribute decisively, nor demonstrated that reducing the consumption Sugary drinks are reduced body mass index. "

Certain sectors of society are advocating include various measures to avoid sugary drinks even in moderate amounts, and some governments have taken various steps in this direction, especially targeting younger segments of society.

But the authors of this analysis estimated that those decisions are hasty, understanding that there is no scientific basis to support standards that affect the consumption of sugary drinks.

Policy and reality

"The effects of sugary drinks on an eventual weight gain are difficult to determine. Although different voices clamoring for the existence of a direct association based on existing traditional literature, the fact is that there is no definitive proof about it," say the authors.

They add in relation to political intervention, "Policy makers need to act on the pressing issue of overweight and obesity, but unfortunately I must say that decisions taken now will be based on imperfect knowledge."

This review is related to another, recently published in the journal "International Journal of Obesity," which made an appeal to the scientific community to renew its commitment to the truth when transferring information in relation to obesity. The authors felt that there is "some tendency in a part of this community to show biased interpretations of the research done."

To reach these conclusions, discussed earlier scientific studies that evaluated the relationship of sugary drinks and obesity in breast milk and concluded that less than one third of the scientific information about the results accurately reflect, and more than two thirds exaggerated the relationship between soft drinks and obesity.

According to officials of this analysis, the reason is that the data were more likely to be published when they showed a negative influence on body weight, "as well as the tendency of some researchers to demonize certain products."



R. D. Mattes, J. M. Shikany, K. A. Kaiser and D. B. Allison. Sweetened beverage Nutritively Consumption and body weight: a Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized experiments. Obesity reviews. April, 2010

...