Sugary Drinks Research Articles

"No Child or Adult Would Ever Probably Choose to Have 16 Teaspoons of Sugar": A Preliminary Study of Parents' Responses to Sugary Drink Warning Label Options.

Front-of-pack (FoP) warning labels are a viable policy option with the potential to inform consumer choice and assist in reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption as part of a multi-faceted approach. This study explored parents’ perceptions and understanding of a range of SSB warning labels. Focus groups (n = 12) with 82 parents of school-aged children were conducted, stratified according to education level, sex and location. Health effects, exercise equivalents, sugar content (teaspoons in text and pictograms, “high in”) and energy content labels were shown. Through thematic analysis we identified three themes. Theme 1 related to perceptions of effectiveness of labels, underpinned by four subthemes: perceptions of labels as credible, informative and useful, personally relevant and having the potential to change be haviour. Theme 2 related to participants finding opportunities for self-exemption (e.g., physically active) and message rejection (e.g., misinterpretation). Theme 3 encompassed the potential negative consequences of some labels (e.g., body image concerns). The text teaspoons label was perceived most favourably across all themes, with minimal negative issues raised. These results provide in-depth insight into potential responses to labelling as a policy intervention, providing important guidance for the development of labels to ensure optimal message content and framing for future testing and subsequent implementation.

Mapping the Homeostatic and Hedonic Brain Responses to Stevia Compared to Caloric Sweeteners and Water: A Double-Blind Randomised Controlled Crossover Trial in Healthy Adults.

Non-nutritive sweeteners have potential effects on brain function. We investigated neural correlates of responses to beverages differing in sweetness and calories. Healthy participants completed 4 randomised sessions: water vs. water with stevia, glucose, or maltodextrin. Blood-oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast was monitored for 30 min post-ingestion by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A food visual probe task at baseline was repeated at 30 min. A significant interaction of taste-by-calories-by-time was demonstrated mainly in motor, frontal, and insula cortices. Consumption of the stevia-sweetened beverage resulted in greater BOLD decrease, especially in the 20–30 min period, compared to other beverages. There was a significant interaction of taste-by-time in BOLD response in gustatory and reward areas; sweet beverages induced greater reduction in BOLD compared to non-sweet. The interaction calories-by-time showed significantly greater incremental area under the curve in thalamic, visual, frontal, and parietal areas for glucose and maltodextrin 10–20 min post-consumption only, compared to water. In the visual cue task, the water demonstrated an increased response in the visual cortex to food images post-consumption; however, no difference was observed for the three sweet/caloric beverages. In conclusion, both sweet taste and calories exert modulatory effects, but stevia showed a more robust and prolonged effect.

Simulation models of sugary drink policies: A scoping review.

Simulation modeling methods are an increasingly common tool for projecting the potential health effects of policies to decrease sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. However, it remains unknown which SSB policies are understudied and how simulation modeling methods could be improved. To inform next steps, we conducted a scoping review to characterize the (1) policies considered and (2) major characteristics of SSB simulation models. We systematically searched 7 electronic databases in 2020, updated in 2021. Two investigators independently screened articles to identify peer-reviewed research using simulation modeling to project the impact of SSB policies on health outcomes. One investigator extracted information about policies considered and key characteristics of models from the full text of included articles. Data were analyzed in 2021-22. Sixty-one articles were included. Of these, 50 simulated at least one tax policy, most often an ad valorem tax (e.g., 20% tax, n = 25) or volumetric tax (e.g., 1 cent-per-fluid-ounce tax, n = 23). Non-tax policies examined included bans on SSB purchases (n = 5), mandatory reformulation (n = 3), warning labels (n = 2), and portion size policies (n = 2). Policies were typically modeled in populations accounting for age and gender or sex attributes. Most studies focused on weight-related outcomes (n = 54), used cohort, lifetable, or microsimulation modeling methods (n = 34), conducted sensitivity or uncertainty analyses (n = 56), and included supplementary materials (n = 54). Few studies included stakeholders at any point in their process (n = 9) or provided replication code/data (n = 8). Most simulation modeling of SSB policies has focused on tax policies and has been limited in its exploration of heterogenous impacts across population groups. Future research would benefit from refined policy and implementation scenario specifications, thorough assessments of the equity impacts of policies using established methods, and standardized reporting to improve transparency and consistency.

Who Likes Unhealthy Food with a Strong Flavour? Influence of Sex, Age, Body Mass Index, Smoking and Olfactory Efficiency on Junk Food Preferences.

Background. Unhealthy food is an important element in the development of diseases of civilisation. The aim of this study was to determine how sex, age, body mass index, smoking and olfactory efficiency influence the consumption of such foods. Methods. A total of 283 people living in the Silesian Voivodeship in Poland took part in the study. They were aged 18–82. An interview and olfactory tests were conducted together with assessments of food preferences from 25 types of food products. The extent to which sex, age, body mass index, tobacco addiction and sense of smell influence unhealthy food consumption was assessed. Results. Using the VARIMAX factor analysis, a coherent group of ‘unhealthy food with a strong flavour’ products was selected: crisps, salty snacks, fast food, sugary carbonated drinks and sour products. Unhealthy food was liked more by people who were younger (B = −0.04; PU = −0.05, −0.03; t = −7.43, eta2 = 0.17; p < 0.001) and who had a higher BMI (B = 0.03; PU ≤ 0.01, 0.06; t = 1.92, eta2 = 0.01; p = 0.056). The efficiency of the sense of smell does not play a significant role in the preference for the ‘unhealthy food’ group as a whole. The analysis of each type of unhealthy food separately showed that young people liked crisps, salty snacks, fast food and sugary carbonated drinks more, men liked fast food and sugary carbonated drinks more than women, and people with a good sense of smell liked sour products. Conclusion. According to the food preferences stated, dietary education should be targeted at young people, especially young men, to prevent the development of overweight and obesity.

Effects of Sugary Drink Countermarketing Videos on Caregivers' Attitudes and Intentions to Serve Fruit Drinks and Toddler Milks to Young Children.

Objectives. To test the effects of countermarketing videos addressing common misperceptions about ingredients and claims on children's sugary drinks. Methods. We conducted an online randomized controlled experiment in January 2021 with US caregivers (n = 600) of young children (aged 8‒37 months) to assess the effects of watching countermarketing versus control videos on intentions to serve sugary and healthy drinks (6-point scales) and attitudes (10-point scales) about fruit drinks and toddler milks. Results. The countermarketing videos significantly reduced positive attitudes about fruit drinks (mean difference = 0.92) and toddler milks (mean difference = 2.10), reduced intentions to serve both (mean difference = 0.50 and 0.92, respectively), and increased intentions to serve plain milk (mean difference = 0.52) versus control videos (all Ps < .001). Intentions differed by individual characteristics, but the videos remained effective after we controlled for these characteristics. Moreover, the videos were more effective for toddler milks versus fruit drinks, and effects on fruit drink intentions were greater for Black versus White caregivers and caregivers of children aged 24 months or younger. Conclusions. A countermarketing campaign aimed at diverse caregivers of young children designed to correct misleading children's drink marketing presents a promising public health approach for reducing sugary drink consumption in the first 1000 days. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S8):S807-S816. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307024).

Screen Time and Its Association with Vegetables, Fruits, Snacks and Sugary Sweetened Beverages Intake among Chinese Preschool Children in Changsha, Hunan Province: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Introduction: Screen time may influence preschoolers’ food consumption. However, there is limited evidence regarding preschoolers, especially in China. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between screen time and the consumption of vegetables, fruits, snacks, and sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs). (2) Methods: Participants (1567 caregivers) were recruited from six kindergartens in Hunan, China. Caregivers completed the questionnaire, which included the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and questions regarding their children’s daily screen time. (3) Results: The mean screen time of preschoolers was 1.36 ± 1.26 h, and the proportion of children who spent more than one hour on screens was 54.3% in the overall sample. Children with longer screen time consumed vegetables and fruits less frequently, while having a higher consumption of snacks and SSBs. After adjustment of sociodemographic confounders, children’s eating behaviors and parental feeding practices, the association of screen time with vegetables and SSBs still remained significant. (4) Conclusions: Screen time exposure needs to be monitored in preschool children, which was negatively associated with their consumption of vegetables and fruits, whereas it was positively associated with snacks and SSBs. Future research should focus more on the impact of screen time on children’s unhealthy behaviors and dietary patterns.

Changes in the food and drink consumption patterns of Australian women during the COVID‐19 pandemic

ObjectiveThis paper uses data from the seventh fortnightly Coronavirus (COVID‐19) Survey sent to women in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health to investigate the relationship between the COVID‐19 pandemic and the food and drink consumption of women born in 1946‐51, 1973‐78 and 1989‐95. MethodsA survey about changes in fruit, vegetable, discretionary food, takeaway and sugary drink consumption during the pandemic was emailed on 22 July 2020 to 28,709 women in three cohorts of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Thematic qualitative analysis was conducted on comments about changes in consumption, and basic quantitative analysis was included for context. ResultsThere were significant associations between age and all categories of food and drink consumption. Women wrote of lifestyle changes and choices during lockdowns, comfort and emotional eating, and access to food and drink changing their consumption behaviours. ConclusionsThe COVID‐19 pandemic and interventions had both positive and negative impacts on the food and drink consumption behaviours of Australian women. Implications for public healthThese findings can be used to directly influence practice around healthy food and drink consumption, highlighting enablers, including being at home, and barriers, including mental health, that should be considered.

Analysis of consumer behavior in the face of the increase in the tax on sugary drinks in the city of Ambato, Ecuador

La finalidad del siguiente estudio es analizar el impacto que tuvo el Impuesto a los Consumos Especiales (ICE) en la venta de bebidas azucaradas en el cantón Ambato, para lo cual como primer punto se describe las preferencias de los consumidores para ello se realizó un análisis de preferencias a través de la descripción del PREFMAP, además se categoriza a los consumidores para establecer su perfil en base a una asociación de un conjunto de variables mediante el Análisis de Componentes Principales (ACP) y la descripción del Bitplot, y finalmente se analiza el consumo ante el incremento del impuesto para lo cual se realiza un análisis inferencial por medio de un test estadístico t de Student. Se identificó una disminución en el consumo de bebidas azucaradas debido al Impuesto de Consumos Especiales (ICE). Esto se determinó al evidenciarse un valor p significativo al 1%, además de que se reconoció que el valor del estadístico t de Student de 6,987 es mayor que el valor crítico de 2,2446, razón por la cual se comprueba la hipótesis alterna. URL: https://revistas.uta.edu.ec/erevista/index.php/bcoyu/article/view/1798

Pemodelan Poisson dan Binomial Negatif untuk Menganalisa Faktor Penyebab Angka Kejadian Abses Gusi

This research aims to analyze the comparison of Poisson and Binomial Negative modeling to the causative factors of gum abscess incidence in West Java. The research methods used are Poisson Regression and Binomial Negative. Predictors of this research are the habit of eating sweet foods (X1), the habit of consumption of sugary drinks (X2), the habit of never going to a dental medical personnel (X3). The results of the study obtained AIC values in negative binomial models smaller than in the Poisson regression model. In negative Binomial regression modeling, variables in the habit of eating sweet foods have a positive and significant effect on the incidence rate of Gingivitis in West Java with a value of CI 95%.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Regression, Binomial Negative, Poisson, Gum Abscess, Gingivitis

Bodyweight change and its association with food and beverage consumption at the beginning COVID-19 confinement.

ObjectivesSARS-CoV-2, a newly identified coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has challenged health services and profoundly impacted people's lifestyles. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic on food consumption patterns and body weight in adults from 12 Ibero-American countries.MethodsMulticentric, cross-sectional study. Data was collected using an online survey disseminated by social networks. The sample included 10 552 people from Spain and 11 Latin American countries who were selected by snowball sampling.ResultsWhile 38.50% of the sample reported weight gain, 16.90% reported weight lost. Weight change was associated with sex, age, country of residence, and education level. People who were not confined more often reported having maintained their weight in comparison to people who were confined. All Latin American countries showed an increased consumption of sweetened drinks, pastry products, fried foods, and alcoholic beverages during confinement. Consumption of eggs and dairy products was independent from body weight change. People who consumed more fruits and vegetables during confinement more often reported having lost weight. In contrast, body weight gain during confinement was associated with increased intake of sugary drinks, baked goods and pastries, pizza, fried foods, and alcoholic beverages.ConclusionDuring COVID-19 confinement, the Latin American countries included in this study showed a change in their consumption patterns toward less healthy diets, which in turn was associated with an increase in the body weight of their population.

Sugary drink consumption and the subsequent risk of gastric cancer: The Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study.

Evidence on the association between sugary drink consumption and gastric cancer (GC) risk is limited, especially in Asian populations. This study aimed to investigate the association between consumption of sugary drinks (sugar-sweetened beverages and 100% fruit juices) and GC risk in a Japanese population. This study included 74,455 Japanese individuals aged 45-74 years (35,102 males and 39,353 females) who participated in a population-based cohort study (Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study). Sugary drinks were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of GC incidence according to the quintile of sugary drink consumption. We identified 2141 patients with GC cases during 16.7 years of follow-up. Sugary drink consumption was not associated with GC risk. The multivariate HR of total, cardia, and non-cardia GC in the highest vs. lowest quintile of sugary drinks consumption in males was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.82-1.17; p-trend 0.48), 0.48 (95% CI: 0.23-0.99; p-trend 0.03), and 1.03 (95% CI: 0.86-1.24; p-trend 0.88), respectively. In females, the respective multivariate HRs were 1.03 (95% CI: 0.79-1.33; p-trend 0.47), 1.28 (95% CI: 0.32-5.12; p-trend 0.53), and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.78-1.32; p-trend 0.56). The results did not change significantly after adjusting for Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophic gastritis status in the subgroup analysis. In this Japanese prospective cohort study, sugary drink consumption was not associated with GC risk.

Cost-effectiveness of LiveLighter® - a mass media public education campaign for obesity prevention.

BackgroundThe Western Australian LiveLighter® program has implemented a series of mass media advertising campaigns that aim to encourage adults to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through healthy behaviours. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the LiveLighter® campaign in preventing obesity-related ill health in the Western Australian population from the health sector perspective.MethodsCampaign effectiveness (delivered over 12 months) was estimated from a meta-analysis of two cohort studies that surveyed a representative sample of the Western Australian population aged 25–49 years on discretionary food consumption one month pre- and one month post-campaign. Campaign costs were derived from campaign invoices and interviews with campaign staff. Long-term health (measured in health-adjusted life years (HALYs)) and healthcare cost-savings resulting from reduced obesity-related diseases were modelled over the lifetime of the population using a validated multi-state lifetable Markov model (ACE-Obesity Policy model). All cost and health outcomes were discounted at 7% and presented in 2017 values. Uncertainty analyses were undertaken using Monte-Carlo simulations.ResultsThe 12-month intervention was estimated to cost approximately A$2.46 million (M) (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 2.26M; 2.67M). The meta-analysis indicated post-campaign weekly reduction in sugary drinks consumption of 0.78 serves (95% UI: 0.57; 1.0) and sweet food of 0.28 serves (95% UI: 0.07; 0.48), which was modelled to result in average weight reduction of 0.58 kilograms (95%UI: 0.31; 0.92), 204 HALYs gained (95%UI: 103; 334), and healthcare cost-savings of A$3.17M (95%UI: A$1.66M; A$5.03M). The mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratio showed that LiveLighter® was dominant (cost-saving and health promoting; 95%UI: dominant; A$7 703 per HALY gained). The intervention remained cost-effective in all sensitivity analyses conducted.ConclusionThe LiveLighter® campaign is likely to represent very good value-for-money as an obesity prevention intervention in Western Australia and should be included as part of an evidence-based obesity prevention strategy.

Beverage behaviors and correlates among Head Start preschooler-parent dyads.

To describe beverage behaviors among preschooler-parent dyads and explore correlates with preschooler's beverage behaviors. This exploratory, cross-sectional study includes a convenience sample of 202 parents of preschoolers surveyed from four Head Start programs in Virginia and Ohio. Measurements included parent-child beverage behaviors, parent beverage perceptions, parent beverage rules, home beverage availability, and demographics. Analyses included descriptive statistics, correlations, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Quade's non-parametric ANCOVA tests. Mean sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB; i.e., regular soda, sweetened fruit drinks, sports/energy drinks, and coffee/tea with sugar) intake was 1.3 (SD = 1.4) and 2.3 (SD = 2.0) times/day for preschoolers and parents, respectively. When considering all sugary drink sources [i.e., summing SSB with flavored milk and 100% fruit juice (FJ)], the mean frequency increased to 3.2 (SD = 2.1) and 3.6 (SD = 2.4) times/day, respectively, for preschoolers and parents. A significant positive correlation was observed between preschooler-parent dyads for SSB (r = 0.406, p < 0.001) and for all sugary drinks (r = 0.572, p < 0.001). Parents who were younger, single, less educated, and with lower income had preschoolers with significantly higher SSB and all sugary drink intake (all p < 0.05). Significant correlates with preschoolers' beverage behaviors also included parent perceived behavioral control (SSB: p = 0.003, 100% FJ: p = 0.008, water: p < 0.0001), parenting practices (SSB: p = 0.022), and home availability (SSB: p = 0.011, 100% FJ: p < 0.001, water: p < 0.001). This study highlights excessive SSB and all sugary drink consumption among Head Start preschooler-parent dyads. Also, intervention targets to improve preschooler's beverage behaviors are identified, including efforts to improve parent's beverage behaviors, perceived behavioral control, parenting practices, and the home environment.

Association between lifestyle and metabolic syndrome incidence of workers in northern Okinawa, Japan: A cohort study

In Japan, specific health checkups were implemented to prevent metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases in April 2008. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between lifestyle factors and the MetS incidence to understand how the disease can be prevented and to improve the public health policy.A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the specific health checkup data of 2,781 workers. Lifestyle factors were assessed using lifestyle-related items in the general health questionnaire included in the specific health checkups. The hazard ratio values for the incidence of MetS according to lifestyle-related items were determined from the data of the specific health checkup for 12 years. The Cox proportional hazard survival model was used to evaluate hazard ratio values after adjusting for confounding factors. The limitations of this research method are discussed using a target trial emulation framework which investigates problems such as biases in observational studies.The crude incidence rates per 1,000 person-years of MetS in women and men were 15.25 and 47.58, respectively. Three dietary lifestyle-related factors, namely “Eating snacks and sweet beverages other than breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” “Eating faster than others,” and “Skipping breakfast at least three times a week,” were identified, with the hazard ratio values 1.262 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.032–1.542, p = 0.023), 1.220 (95 % CI 1.032–1.442, p = 0.020) and 1.189 (95 % CI 1.012–1.397, p = 0.036), respectively.These results suggest that lifestyle improvements related to extracted lifestyle-related items contribute to the prevention of MetS.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Healthy Diet among Mothers Feeding Their Children: An Urban School Based Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: Research revealed that daily diet of school going children are still inadequate in nutrition with less consumption of fruits and vegetables and higher consumption of junk foods that are rich in fats, salt, and sugar. Those phenomena are related to mothers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice on healthy diet.Objective: To determine knowledge, attitude, and practice on healthy diet among mothers feeding their school going children.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and December of 2018 in some randomly selected schools under Dhaka City Corporation, Bangladesh. We adopted convenient sampling technique. A total of 120 mothers participated in this study who had school going children aged between six and eight years. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The participants chose Bangla version for filling up the survey questionnaire. A modified Likert’s scale was used.Results: Among the participants, 70(58.2%) were in 30-35 years and 50(41.8%) were in 36-40 years age group. All the mothers know the importance of feeding healthy food to the child; however, 72.5% could not mention specific description of constituents of a healthy diet. 89.2% of mothers have somehow control over her own food habit. Only 5.8% mothers learned new healthy cuisine in the previous week.54.2% visited market at least once a week, while23.3% mothers did not buy any fruits or vegetables, only 5.8% had grown and eaten from own gardens.14.2% kept their children with them while cooking to show how healthy meal can be prepared.In the previous week, 14.2% of children took no fruits, 34.2% took 0.5 cup amount, 43.3% took one cup, 8.3% took two cups per day, while 12.5% children did not take any vegetables, 31.7% took 0.5 cup, 44.2% took one cup, 11.7% took two cups of vegetables per day. 11.7% children did not take any sugary drinks, 67.5% took one cup, 20.8% took two cups of sugary drinks per day in the previous week. 87.5% children did not visit market for at least once a weekand their mothers did not encourage them to buy any fruit or vegetables. 97.5% mothers did not measure any calories and nutritional status over the week; however, only 2.5% measured at least once. None of the mothers cooked any healthy food at home. Only 17.5% of the mothers had discussion about eating fruits and vegetables. According to the respondents, 65% encouraged their children 21 times healthy feeding practice over the last week, 33.4% had 14-20 times and 1.6% less than 14 times in the previous week.Conclusion:Our study revealed that many mothers cannot define well what constitutes a healthy meal. They hardly cook healthy meal for their children and do not encourage them to eat fruits and vegetables. Most of them do not measure daily calories or show any interest to discuss nutritional topics with others.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 06 No. 04 Oct’22 Page: 398-403

Factors associated with a cariogenic diet among adolescents: a structural equation modeling approach.

To investigate the factors directly and indirectly associated with a cariogenic diet among southern Brazilian adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 15-19-year-old students attending high schools in Santa Maria, southern Brazil. The participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic and behavioral variables. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 was applied to collect data on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Clinical examination was used to assess the dental caries status (decayed, missing, and filled teeth index). A cariogenic diet was considered a latent variable measured by the self-perception of a healthy diet and the frequency of consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the direct and indirect pathways to a cariogenic diet. A total of 1197 adolescents were included. Low toothbrushing frequency (standardized coefficient (SC), 0.10; p < 0.05), cigarette smoking (SC, 0.15; p < 0.01), and alcoholic beverages (SC, 0.14; p < 0.01) were directly linked to a cariogenic diet, which, in turn, was directly linked to untreated dental caries (SC, 0.18; p < 0.01) and poor OHRQoL (SC, 0.16; p < 0.01). In addition, household income (via toothbrushing frequency) and age (via alcoholic beverages) were indirectly linked to a cariogenic diet. A cariogenic diet was consistently associated with a range of unhealthy behaviors during adolescence as well as poor household income. Health promotion strategies to restrict sugar consumption and encourage healthier lifestyles should be aware of the synergism observed among unhealthy behaviors during adolescence.

Antioxidant Potential of the Sweet Whey-Based Beverage Colada after the Digestive Process and Relationships with the Lipid and Protein Fractions.

Whey-based beverages could be an effective way of reusing a by-product of th cheese industry, mitigating environmental hazards and, at the same time, profiting a useful food with high nutritional and antioxidant properties. In this study, a traditional Ecuadorian beverage (Colada) was prepared combining sweet whey, Maracuyá and barley. Antioxidant properties before and after an in vitro digestion using the INFOGEST method were determined, and relationships with intestinal transformations of the lipid and protein fractions were analyzed. The digestive process had a positive effect on antioxidant properties based on increased values of ABTS and FRAP located in the bioaccessible fraction (BF), together with strong increments of total polyphenols. Moreover, pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with the BF of Colada significantly reduced ROS generation (p < 0.001) measured by the dichlorofluorescein assay. Substantial changes of the fatty acid profile occurred during digestion, such as a fall of saturated fatty acids and a rise of polyunsaturated. The protein profile, examined by SDS-PAGE and exclusion molecular chromatography in the BF, showed that the major part of the proteins were digested in the intestinal phase. Analysis of NanoLC-MS/MS revealed 18 antioxidant peptides originated from whey proteins, but also 16 peptides from barley with potential antioxidant properties. In conclusion, combining sweet whey with Maracuyá and barley constitutes an excellent nutritional beverage with a strong antioxidant potential.

A randomised experimental study comparing perceptions of two energy drink health warning labels.

Consumption of energy drinks is a public health concern, particularly in adolescents and young adults. This study explored energy drink consumers' reactions to an energy drink-specific warning label (risk of cardiac effects) and a more general sugary drink warning label (risk of obesity). An online experimental study randomly allocated Australian energy drink consumers aged 18-39 years (N=435) to view one of two label conditions (cardiac effects or obesity). Participants were assessed on: intention to reduce energy drink consumption, perceived health threat, perceived label effectiveness and policy support for energy drink warning labels. Mean intentions to reduce consumption scores were similar across the two label conditions (Mobesity =2.5, Mcardiac =2.6) overall; and were higher for the cardiac label (compared to obesity label) for some subgroups: females (Mobesity =2.3, Mcardiac =2.8; p=.037), older (25-39 years; Mobesity =2.4, Mcardiac =2.8; p=.016); and higher education level (Mobesity =1.9, Mcardiac =2.7; p=.004). While perceived health threat measures were higher for obesity than cardiac effects, perceived label effectiveness measures of 'believable' and 'relevant to me' were higher for the cardiac label than the obesity label (believable: 71.0% vs 56.1%; relevant: 42.5% vs 29.4%). Participants who viewed the cardiac label were more likely to support policy than those shown the obesity label (OR=1.6, 95%CI [1.1, 2.3], p=.02). Health effect warnings labels were perceived by energy drink consumers to be impactful and are supported. Labels with energy drink-specific health effects may offer additional benefit. SO WHAT?: Policy makers can feel confident that warning labels on energy drinks will confer public health benefit.

Adolescents’ perspectives on soft drinks after the introduction of the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy: A focus group study using reflexive thematic analysis

BackgroundThe UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), announced in March 2016 and implemented in April 2018, is a fiscal policy to incentivise reformulation of eligible soft drinks. We aimed to explore perceptions of sugar, sugary drinks and the SDIL among adolescents in the UK post-implementation. Methods23 adolescents aged 11–14 years participated in four focus groups in 2018–2019. A semi-structured topic guide elicited relevant perspectives and included a group task to rank a selection of UK soft drinks based on their sugar content. Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis was used to undertake inductive analysis. ResultsFour main themes were present: 1) Sweetened drinks are bad for you, but some are worse than others; 2) Awareness of the SDIL and ambivalence towards it 3) The influence of drinks marketing: value, pricing, and branding; 4) Openness to population-level interventions. Young people had knowledge of the health implications of excess sugar consumption, which did not always translate to their own consumption. Ambivalence and a mixed awareness surrounding the SDIL was also present. Marketing and parental and school restriction influenced their consumption patterns, as did taste, enjoyment and consuming drinks for functional purposes (e.g., to give them energy). Openness to future population-level interventions to limit consumption was also present. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that adolescents are accepting of interventions that require little effort from young people in order to reduce their sugar consumption. Further education-based interventions are likely to be unhelpful, in contexts where adolescents understand the negative consequences of excess sugar and SSB consumption.

Trigeminal Stimulus Menthol Masks Bitter Off-Flavor of Artificial Sweetener Acesulfame-K.

Consumer health concerns and regulatory policies lead to a growing demand for sugar-sweetened beverage alternatives. A reduced energy content can be achieved using artificial sweeteners, which often also convey a metallic or bitter off-flavor. Therefore, the alteration of sweetness perception and masking of potential off-flavors are paramount for improving sweet beverages. Trigeminal stimuli, such as capsaicin (spicy) or menthol (cooling), have been used to influence taste perception in food items, although their use in beverages has not yet been systematically investigated. Here, the influence of menthol on sweetness perception in an aqueous solution is examined both on the sensory and psychophysiological level. The addition of menthol had no sensory effect on sweetness perception; however, psychophysiological measurements suggest a boost in the physiological response to cold perception through the addition of sugar. Moreover, menthol addition shifted the recognition threshold of unpleasant bitterness of the sweetener acesulfame-K from 21.35 to 36.93 mg/L, masking the off-flavor. These findings illuminate the complexity of trigeminal perception influences on taste. Further investigation of these effects can render trigeminal stimuli an effective tool to enhance beverage aroma and flavor.