Sugar consumption is a major cause of premature health problems in the U.S. Americans ingest more than 22 teaspoons of added sugar (355 calories) every day, according to the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. That’s two to three times what is recommended.

The American Heart Association has publicized their recommendations for men and women. The AHA says that most American women should not consume more than 100 calories of added sugar a day. Men should limit their intake to no more than 150 calories. One 12-ounce can of sugar-sweetened soda is 130 calories. That’s more than the entire daily recommendation for women, and nearly all that is recommended for men.

Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela in recent years have been, shall we say, not so good. And President Hugo Chavez is not likely to put the breaks on his heavy anti-capitalist rhetoric anytime soon. Some of his latest moves have been on the dietary front.

Chavez and his government are taking on Coca Cola and their Coke Zero product. Health Minister Jesus Mantilla has said that Coke Zero can no longer be sold in his country, and the inventory that is stocked must be removed from store shelves.

Popeye had spinach to make his muscles pop. Inversely, pop (soda) may actually make our muscles weaker.

Doctors are warning that cola drinks, when consumed in excess, deplete the body of potassium, which can lead to weakness, and much worse – muscle paralysis.

Dr. Moses Elisaf of the University of Ioannina in Greece authored the research paper that’s come to these conclusions. He says that the hypokalaemia (potassium deficiency) can be caused by excessive consumption of glucose, fructose and caffeine, common ingredients in cola drinks.

What is Throwback Natural Pepsi?
This product was first launched in the UK in which Pepsi marketed and introduced “Pepsi Raw.”  This Pepsi Raw is a “corn syrup free, all natural soda.”  Pepsi Raw has been transformed in the U.S. as the new throwback natural sugar Pepsi.

Throwback Natural Pepsi is marketed as a premium soda made with sugar, natural caramel and kola nut extract in place of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) compared to the traditional Pepsi, which contains HFCS, artificial coloring, phosphoric acid, caffeine citric acid and natural flavors.  Pepsi is calling it natural due to it being made with sugar rather than the controversial HFCS that’s seen in so many products these days.  This new Pepsi is supposedly paler in color and less fizzy than other cola products.

When we talk about diet, it’s almost always about solid foods. But don’t overlook what you drink. It’s a big mistake, as it impacts our weight a great deal. Here’s the report from CNN: