Boston Globe June 2, 2012
Around world, Bloomberg soda war hard to swallow
should we regulate sodas the way we regulate cigarettes?
LONDON—New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks in restaurants, delis and movie theaters in the hopes of combating obesity. Under his plan, sugary drinks would be limited to 16 fluid ounces — almost half a liter.
Dr. Wilson comments:
Should we regulate sugar the way we regulate tobacco? Perhaps so.
Although I don’t agree with the Mayor’s proposal, I do agree with his effort to target soda and other sugary drinks and food as a major driver of many of our current health problems.
It is now clear that excessive fructose primarily from sugar and HFCS is the driving force behind insulin resistance and central obesity. When someone with insulin resistance consumes high glycemic carbohydrates, especially from grains, their brain is subjected to magnified glucose spikes.
These glucose spikes cause excessive dumping of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine from nerve cells eventually causing neurotransmitter depletion and a chronic brain disorder called Carbohydrate Associated Reversible Brain syndrome or CARB syndrome. People with CARB syndrome develop up to 22 brain dysfunction symptoms that interfere with their ability to function. The hallmark symptom of CARB syndrome is craving sweet and starchy foods, pushing people to consume more of the food that is frying their brain.
Because the brain plays a key role in auto-regulating fat stores, people with CARB syndrome begin to store excessive fat even when they diet in an attempt to lose weight. Sugar is a chronic toxin akin to cigarette smoking. Sugar consumption is driving up health care costs for everyone and thus it should be regulated in the same way we regulate other chronic toxins like tobacco.
for the rest of the story: http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2012/06/01/around_world_bloomberg_soda_war_hard_to_swallow/