Fizzy pop peril!
Thursday 12 February 2009
Women who drink two or more sugary fizzy drinks a day are twice as likely to develop kidney disease, research shows.
Yep, that’s right – researchers found high levels of albumin (a key indicator of early kidney damage) in women downing two or more fizzy drinks a day.
Men? Yeah, they’re not affected. And apparently neither are fans of the diet pop variety.
Albuminuria, is an excess amount of a protein called albumin in the urine. Since healthy kidneys filter out large molecules such as albumin, an excess amount can be a sign of damage to the kidneys.
The study examined 9,358 US adults and the findings revealed that among those who drank two or more cans of pop per day, 17% have this early marker of kidney disease.
Professor David Shoham, who led the research at Loyola University, near Chicago, said it was unclear why only women were affected.
In recent years, it has been claimed that diabetes, obesity and kidney disease have been increasing, along with consumption of high fructose corn syrup (the sweetener used in most fizzy pop.)
But Shoham believes it may have something to do with the amount of sugar people consume, rather than the type.
"I don't think there is anything demonic about high fructose corn syrup per se," Shoham said.
"People are consuming too much sugar. The problem with high fructose corn syrup is that it contributes to over consumption. It's cheap and it has a long shelf life.”
Well, it looks like it’s time to ditch the coke cans and opt for something healthier – Why not try these delicious smoothie recipes to get you started?
Blueberry Apple smoothie
Each portion supplies one and a half of your recommended 5-a-day.
Ingredients:
* 2 apples, cored and cubed
* 240ml milk or natural yoghurt
* 75g/3oz Blueberries
* 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
* 4 ice cubes, cracked
Instructions:
Place the apple and milk/yoghurt in the blender and pulse until finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth.
Banana Berry smoothie
Each portion supplies one of your recommended 5-a-day
Ingredients:
*1 large banana, cut into pieces
* 75g/3oz berries
* 180ml orange juice
* 180ml natural yoghurt
* ½ tsp vanilla extract
* 4 large ice cubes, cracked
Instructions:
Place all of the ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
Vanilla Pear smoothie
Each portion supplies one and a half of your recommended 5-a-day
Ingredients:
* 2 ripe pears, cored and chopped
* ¼ tsp vanialla extract
* 240ml natural yoghurt
* 1-2 tbsp honey
* 2-4 ice cubes, cracked
Instructions:
Place all of the ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
Strawberry Melon smoothie
Each portion supplies two of your recommended 5-a-day
Ingredients:
* ½ melon, peeled, seeded and cut into small chunks
* 240ml orange juice
* 250g/9oz strawberries
* Honey to taste (1-2 tbsp)
* 4 large ice cubes
Instructions:
Place all of the ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.
By Tasha Usefnia