Put down that sweet tea, throw out that lemonade and ditch those sugary sodas. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, quenching your thirst with these drinks can be deadly. In addition to making better decisions when it comes to eating and drinking, researchers also advise people to limit alcohol intake, avoid tobacco smoke, exercise and practice weight control. They add that it’s a good idea to ensure good fat consumption by incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into one’s daily diet. Omega-3 can be found in fish and flax seed oil. –brooklyne gipson
The study found that there’s a significant correlation between “dietary added sugars” (sweeteners used in processed or prepared foods) and “blood lipid levels” (fatty acids and cholesterol in the blood stream) among adults in the United States.
The term “lipid” is sometimes used synonymously with “fat,” but fats are actually a subgroup of lipids called triglycerides. The human body requires a certain level of triglycerides to function properly. They play an important role in metabolism, as a source of energy and a transporter of the dietary fats that the human body needs for survival; however, there are two types triglycerides, or fats — the good kind and the bad kind. The good fats, which can be found in oily fish, almonds, peanut butter and avocado, assist in the abovementioned vital processes. The bad fats, which can be found in say a can of soda, glass of lemonade, and a host of other processed foods and drinks, should be avoided, as they may lead to numerous life-threatening illnesses including cardiovascular disease and even diabetes. Connections to these two illnesses makes the study particularly important to African Americans, as there are three million African Americans living with diabetes in the US and African Americans present the highest risk for acquiring cardiovascular disease.
Fortunately, high triglyceride levels are easily reduced by avoiding food or drinks with added sugar. Take the popular McDonald’s sweet tea, for example. It contains 30 grams of carbohydrates and 30 grams of sugar — a sizable amount of the total carbohydrates a person on a 2,000 calorie per day diet is supposed to consume (250 grams), and nearly all of the sugar (32 grams). Patrons at risk for illness should avoid this beverage and try McDonald’s regular iced tea, which contains no sugar and only one gram of carbohydrates.
For more information on how to regulate triglycerides in your diet, consult with your doctor.
