Choosing sugary drinks over fruit juice for toddlers linked to a higher risk of adult obesity

• Published date: 14 April 2024
• Author: JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition under the title "Early exposure to sugar-sweetened beverages or fruit juice differentially influences adult adiposity," the study tracked the influence of diet on 14,000 British children from birth to adulthood and is believed to be the longest of its kind ever reported

They found that children who drank fizzy drinks such as cola or sugar-sweetened fruit cordials before the age of two gained more weight when they were 24 years old. Girls who had pure fruit juice gained less weight, while the weight of boys remained the same.

At three years of age, toddlers who drank cola consumed more calories, fat, protein, and sugar but less fiber. In contrast, those given pure apple juice consumed less fat and sugar but higher amounts of fiber. Those consuming one food, will be more likely to choose other foods, forming a dietary pattern.

The standard American or Western pattern diet is characterized by a high intake of refined and processed foods that is high in both fat and sugar. Importantly, those who eat this diet are more likely to choose beverages and foods sweetened with sugar. Thus, this diet is very often a marker for the choice of a highly calorific diet, they wrote.

Dietary patterns formed at a young age

The study also highlighted corresponding differences in food choices. Children who consumed pure apple juice often followed a diet with more fish, fruit, green vegetables, and salad, while those drinking cola ate more burgers, sausages, pizza, french fries, meat...