THE
HEALTHIER BEVERAGE
Did you know that indulging in one regular, mainstream soft drink per day equates to over 23kgs of sugar per year?
And it’s clear we love a refreshing drink. In 2018, Australia ranked as 6th in the list of countries by soft drink consumption, with on average, over 128 litres consumed per person, per year.
Empty calories! Empty calories come from food and drinks deemed to have limited or no nutritional value. It is reported that a typical adult male, can consume over 900 ‘empty calories’ per day.
A US study showed, that as a category, these beverages are the single largest source of calories and added sugar in the U.S. diet.
A 600mL bottle of soft drink can contain up to 17 teaspoons of sugar (69g). Energy drinks come close, and sports drink whilst better, can contain up to 9 teaspoons of sugar (36g) per 500mL serve. Even many mainstream ice teas and flavoured waters hold around 6 teaspoons of sugar (24g).
These staggering statistics are directly linked to the increasing prevalence of obesity, diabetes, weight gain, liver disease and tooth decay across Australia today. Even in the pandemic. With COVID-19’s lockdowns, other stay at home restrictions and limited socialisation, the Australian sale of bottled water fell by almost 5%, whilst soft drinks increased by 7.5%, as well as fruit juices, energy drinks and cordials, all showing increased market share. That said, in 2020, approx. one third of soft drink purchased nationally, was of the sugar-free variety showing an increasing preference for options deemed to be healthier.
There are 17 tsps of sugar in a 600ml sports drink
47% OF CHILDREN
2-16yrs consume sugar-sweetened drinks daily! If 1 teaspoon is 4g of sugar, a daily 600mL cola is approximately 285% of the WHO (World Health Organisation) recommended daily intake of sugars at 24g for women and 36g for men. Understanding this along with the health benefits of your beverage selection, helps you to make healthier choices.
So let’s discuss some great ‘better for you’ beverage options on the next page…
10 KADAC IN HEALTH
References 1. www.rethinksugarydrink.org.au, visit for more information. 2. Australia Bureau of Statistics, www.eatforhealth.gov.au 3. https://www.statista.com/forecasts/763162/per-capita-volume-sales-in-the-soft-drinks-market-worldwide-by-country 4. USDA Agricultural Research Service report “Snacking-associated-with-increased-calories-decreased-nutrients” 5. Hu FB, Malik VS. Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes: epidemiologic evidence. Physiology & behavior. 2010 Apr 26;100(1):47-54.
