Sugar rush or sugar crash? Experimental evidence on the impact of sugary drinks in the classroom

Sugary drinks in schools have been demonized for their potential long-term contribution to rising obesity rates. Surprisingly, there is only little evidence on the immediate effects of sugary drinks in schools. This paper provides experimental evidence on the in-class effects of sugary drinks on behavior and student achievement. We randomly assigned 462 preschool children to receive sugary drinks or artificially sweetened drinks and collected data before and after consumption. Our findings suggest that the consumption of one sugary drink induces an initial “relaxing” effect for boys, before making them more restless. Girls' behavior is not significantly affected. We find a negative effect on student achievement for boys and a positive effect for girls. We show the robustness of the results across two field experiments.     

Comparison of the erosive potential of gastric juice and a carbonated drink in vitro

The aim of this study was to compare the erosive effect of gastric juice and a carbonated drink on enamel and dentine by measuring release of calcium from 30 hemisectioned teeth in vitro. In addition, the titrable acidity (mL of 0.05 M sodium hydroxide required to neutralize) and pH of the fluids was estimated. The mean pH of the seven gastric acid samples was 2.92 (range 1.2-6.78) and mean titratable acidity 0.68 mL (range 0.03-1.64). Both the pH and the titratable acidity of the gastric juice varied between patients all of whom suffered from symptoms of reflux disease. The carbonated drink had a pH of 2.45 and a titratable acidity of 0.29 mL. The median amount of calcium released by the gastric acids from enamel was 69.6 microg L-1 (interquartile range 5.4-144) and 62.4 microg L-1 (2.2-125.3) from dentine. The carbonated drink released 18.7 microg L-1 (13.4-23.4) and 18.6 microg L-1 (11.9-35.3), respectively. The differences in calcium release by gastric juice and the carbonated drink were statistically significant for both enamel (P < 0.005) and dentine (P < 0.01). It is concluded that gastric juice has a greater potential, per unit time, for erosion than a carbonated drink.     

宣化解毒饮治疗小儿手足口病临床观察

目的:观察中西医结合治疗小儿手足口病的临床疗效。方法:将110例手足口病患儿随机分为观察组和对照组,对照组给予利巴韦林、大剂量VitC等治疗,观察组在西医治疗基础上结合宣化解毒饮治疗,观察临床症状的变化、痊愈时间、临床疗效及并发症的发生并进行分析。结果:观察组临床症状消失快、痊愈时间缩短、并发症少。结论:中西医结合治疗手足口病可缩短病程、热退及皮疹消退时间缩短,疗效明显优于单纯西医治疗。     

Added sugar: Nutritional knowledge and consumption pattern of a principal driver of obesity and diabetes among undergraduates in UAE

BackgroundRecently, youth intake of added sugar has been growing. The incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) has risen dramatically in parallel with these changes. Excess added sugar is a key risk factor for weight gain and T2DM in many cohort studies. The current study was implemented to examine the nutritional knowledge, attitude and practice pattern among UAE undergraduates.MethodRandom sampling was used to approach 400 undergraduate students from UAE. The data analysis was performed by using SPSS version 24. A correlation analysis was performed using Pearson and Spearman correlation tests. Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square test, T-test, and Kruskal Wallis test.ResultsAdded sugar consumption is widely prevalent among university students in UAE. Only 19% of the enrolled sample scored high nutritional knowledge level and 56% of the students were considered heavy consumers. White sugar was the preferred added sweeteners among 90% of the sample.ConclusionOur study outcomes recommend that strategies that can successfully reduce added sugar might be a significant stage concerning reversing the devastating escalating trends in diabetes, obesity, and promoting health of all populations in UAE.     

Adolescent Consumption of Sports and Energy Drinks: Linkages to Higher Physical Activity,Unhealthy Beverage Patterns,Cigarette Smoking,and Screen Media Use

ObjectiveTo examine patterns of adolescent sports and energy drink (SED) consumption and identify behavioral correlates.DesignData were drawn from Eating and Activity in Teens, a population-based study.SettingAdolescents from 20 middle and high schools in Minneapolis/St Paul, MN completed classroom-administered surveys.ParticipantsA total of 2,793 adolescents (53.2% girls) in grades 6–12.Variables MeasuredBeverage patterns; breakfast frequency; moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA); media use; sleep; and cigarette smoking.AnalysisLinear and logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between health behaviors and SED consumption, adjusting for demographics.ResultsOver a third of adolescents consumed sports drinks and 14.7% consumed energy drinks at least once a week. Among boys and girls, both sports and energy drink consumption were related to higher video game use; sugar-sweetened beverage and fruit juice intake; and smoking (P < .05). Sports drink consumption was also significantly related to higher MVPA and organized sport participation for both genders (P < .01).Conclusions and ImplicationsAlthough sports drink consumption was associated with higher MVPA, adolescents should be reminded of recommendations to consume these beverages only after vigorous, prolonged activity. There is also a need for future interventions designed to reduce SED consumption, to address the clustering of unhealthy behaviors.     

New animal model of extrinsic dental erosion-Erosive effect on the mouse molar teeth

ObjectiveConsumption of acidic food and drinks is considered as important risk factor for development of dental erosion. There are several in vitro and in situ studies focusing on the risk indicators and preventive treatment, however, the need for a standardized animal model has been emphasised for many years. The aim was to establish an animal model of extrinsic dental erosion, which may serve as a standard for future studies to improve our understanding of the erosion.DesignTwo acidic drinks, sports drink and cola drink, were given to young mice for six weeks. Experimental and control (water) molars and incisors were dissected out and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mandibular first molars were subsequently ground transversely and observed again by SEM. The tooth height and enamel thickness were measured on the SEM images.ResultsThe lingual surface of the mandibular molars was most eroded after consumption of acidic drinks. The cola drink exhibited higher erosive effect on mandibular molars compared to sports drink. The lingual tooth height, compared to control, was about 34% and 18% lower in the cola drink and sports drink molars, respectively. Compared to the control molars, the lingual enamel was about 23% thinner in the sports drink molars and totally eroded on the certain lingual areas of the cola drink molars.ConclusionsThis new animal model of extrinsic dental erosion and the presented method with ground molars observed in SEM are suitable for further studies, which will gain deeper insights into the erosive disease.