The Soda Debate

National Public Radio (NPR) recently offered a two part series about the ongoing debate regarding soft drinks, or soda pop as some say. I listened in indignant consternation to the rebuttal offered last week by a spokesperson for the soft drink industry who said "a full-calorie soft drink has 90 percent water, and a diet soft drink is 99 percent water. Water is the most important nutrient that we have..." By implication we are to believe soft drinks to be of some nutritional benefit. Dr. Maureen Storey, representing the American Beverage Association, went on: "Of nutritional value, there is either high-fructose corn syrup or sucrose, and that does provide energy or carbohydrates. And if we are active and need a refreshing beverage after a nice, long walk or a run, you can have a beverage and quench your thirst and stay hydrated."

Roll over Gary Erickson, founder of Clif Bar, a full line of nutritional products for athletes, or Brian Frank of Hammer Nutrition. Both Gary and Brian have invested in research and product development with the athlete, whether the weekend variety or a professional, in mind. Yes, you will find sugar in their products, but most often sugar derived from sources markedly different than those used by the mainstream food industry, including the manufacturers of soft drinks. Granted, the arguments pro or con regarding the health risks or not of high-fructose corn syrup are ongoing and thus far not absolutely conclusive one way or the other; nevertheless, the research produced by Hammer Nutrition and to some extent by Clif Bar indicates a soft drink, whether full-calorie or diet, is far, far down the list of athletically and nutritionally significant preferences.

Finally, the aforementioned Dr. Storey, in conversation with NPR's Michele Norris, argued that a sugar-laden soft drink is often the right hydration choice for children. Said Dr. Storey: "I don't think it's nutritionally unsound. There are some studies that show that particularly with children, children who have been exercising may not drink enough water to get back to the hydration point that they need to be at. So with a little bit of flavoring and a little bit of sweetness, they will drink enough, then, to get back to where they need to be."

Thankfully, some semblance of truth and skepticism returned a few days later when a listener laughed out loud regarding the soft drink industry's assertion of "the benefits of reaching for a refreshing glass of what is essentially a sugar-laden diuretic for post-exercise rehydration."

How about some good old water, or even Gatorade in its lower sodium modern formula. Better yet, make my preference Heed, the hydration product out of the Hammer Nutrition laboratories. We each will find the "water" which works best for our needs, but please take some time to understand the nutritional labeling and issues while making the most effective and health conscious choice.