To the editor:
As a retired dentist and politician, I have seen the effect of high sugar consumption contact not only in the health of individuals but the impact on the ever increasing cost of health care as well.
I hope sharing this perspective can help readers consider a positive purchasing option for beverages when at the grocery store next time.
There is a real concern about British Columbia’s rapidly increasing obesity rates from a general health perspective, which, of course, also is a concern for our mouths. Our mouths and teeth are affected and impacted by what we eat and drink of course.
In the 25 years I practiced dentistry, I witnessed first-hand the impacts of increased consumption of sugar in the mouths of children and adults diets and the impacts on their mouths. Pop was, and is, a major contributor to poor dental health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for added sugar consumption to be limited to no more than 100-150 calories per day. Yet there are over 200 in one typical sized can of pop.
The overall health risk of more than 150 sugar calories per day have been proven to increase blood pressure and increase risk for cancers, heart disease and type 2 diabetes and caused tooth decay and irreversible damage to people’s mouths.
I am concerned that society seems to think it is OK to consume pop daily when it should be served as a special occasion option. In a province that claims to have some of the best water available in the world, perhaps a daily water intake of three to four glasses would be the obvious and healthier alternative.
Dr. John Weisbeck
Kelowna
