Chemistry 1AL, 001 - Spring 2014 Creative Commons 3.0: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs

Soda and other sugary drinks have long been known to be a leading factor in causing obesity, diabetes, dental disease, and other health problems that plague Americans, yet they remain multi-billion dollar companies with a global reach. In her new book Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning), Marion Nestle outlines exactly how soda companies have gained such immense lobbying power in the food industry. In the past few years, however, soda consumption in the U.S. has actually declined. Nestle argues that this is the result of successful “good food” and health activism. She outlines these successful strategies and calls for a greater investment by companies and communities in promoting sports and outdoor entertainment, healthy alternatives to sugary drinks, and more nutrition research.