Sugar-sweetened beverage taxes will be increased as proposed by the government. It is a public policy toll that aims to improve the overall population health.
This move was made following alarming data released by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Contol and Prevention that approximately 180,000 diabetes, cardiovascular and cancer-related deaths per year are linked to consuming sugary drinks like sodas, enhanced water, sweetened teas, fruit, sports and energy drinks.
There are many studies and researches that shows an association between sugar-sweetened beverages and cardiovascular risk, increased blood pressure and even heart attack in women. Subsequently, it is linked to the doubled risk of tooth decay and dental caries in children. Approximately 100,000 cases of diabetes in the last ten years were linked to the consumption of sweetened beverages.
According to statistics, the average American consumes 45 gallons of sugary drinks each year and even children are now at risk. Around 45 % of toddlers ages 19 to 24 months old consume a sugary drink every day. In children ages two to five years old, 70% are drinking sugary drinks on a daily basis.
For every additional soda a child consumes in one day, his or her risk of obesity increases by 60%. Not only children are at risk but also for adults. In fact, two-thirds of American adults are obese and 36 percent of them are obese. In total, 16.5 % of
However, adults can control over their health by knowing the effect of sugary drinks on the health of a person. To help in this move, the city of Berkeley, California passed a landmark legislation that they will tax sugary drinks. This aims to help people to pass drinking sugary drinks and opt to consumer healthier choices. By making unhealthy foods a little expensive, this can help reduce the prevalence of obesity in the country.
