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CHAPEL HILL, Va., Nov 20, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Use of caloric sweeteners, including sugar, has grown markedly around the world over the past 40 years, according to the University of North Carolina.
UNC scientists said Thursday increasing U.S. consumption of beverages, including soft drinks and sugared fruit drinks, was a major contributor to the burgeoning use of such sweeteners, which nutritionists believe contribute to obesity.
A report on the study appears in the November issue of Obesity Research, a professional journal published by the North American Association for the Study of Obesity.
"Over the past several years, a number of studies have emerged that indicated how soft drink and fruit drink intake are adversely linked with adolescent and adult weight gain in the United States and Europe," said Dr. Barry Popkin, a co-author of the study.
"Our new study shows that the large increase in added sugar is not restricted to these few very high-income countries but is a worldwide phenomenon."
Also, until now, no food-related research has shown specifically which foods are responsible for the large increases in added sugar in the United States, he said.
"This study clearly documents for this country that the increase in added sugar intake between 1977 and 1996 is caused mainly by soft drinks and fruit drinks," Popkin said.
Copyright 2003 by United Press International.
