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Coke Discloses Millions in Grants for Health Research and Programs
New submitter erinrivers11 writes: Following criticism that Coke has supported research that plays down the role of soft drinks in the spread of obesity, the company released a list showing nearly $120 million in grants to medical, research and community organizations. The Times reports: "The list, published Tuesday on the company’s website, details hundreds of Coke grants, large and small, to a variety of organizations since 2010, including physician groups, university researchers, cancer and diabetes organizations and public parks, and even a foundation for the National Institutes of Health."
Specifically, it's the reaction the body has to the carbohydrates (sugar): spiking insulin levels, blocking the release of fat as a fuel source, and encouraging the body to store energy as fat.
Keep in mind that the Coca-Cola company had a gross profit of $28,010,000,000.00 for fiscal year 2015 with a profit margin of 66%. $120,000,000.00 in grants amounts to .042% of their gross. For them, this is cheap window dressing. Do no mistake this for good corporate citizenship.
Specifically, it's the reaction the body has to the carbohydrates (sugar): spiking insulin levels, blocking the release of fat as a fuel source, and encouraging the body to store energy as fat.
Bingo!
I find it interesting that since the 1970s the government has been parroting the research done by Ancel Keys in the 1950s that states that a high carbohydrate low fat diet is what is needed to avoid heart disease, despite:
1- This advice being followed rarely results in weight loss, better handling of dislipidemia or the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.
2- The emergence of these three disorders in epidemic proportions since the adoption of the Ancel Keys paradigm by the government in the 1970s.
At this point, the advice being given to people touched by obesity and diabetes is precisely upside down and backwards to what will actually help resolve the condition and serious health problems later on down the line.
Easiest ways to avoid heart disease and diabetes and obesity are in order of effectiveness:
1- Consume less carbohydrates per day as percentage of total calories
2- Consume more saturated fats (which increase HDL cholesterol. the "Good" cholesterol)
3- Consume slightly less calories than you consume, whilst maintaining the percentages of lowered carbohydrate calories, increased fat calories and moderate protein calories. Less calories results in weight loss and less carbohydrates results in both the mobilization of stored body fat as an energy source and the lowering of blood triglycerides and LDL cholesterol numbers.
4- The lessening of the need for insulin to maintain energy levels and stabilize blood sugar levels results in the lowering of inflammatory responses through out the body further reducing the risks for heart disease, stroke, arteriosclerosis and a laundry list of other statistically big killers (Various types of Cancer... etc)
Strangely however doctors who recognize these 4 simple facts are in short supply. My doctor got onto me about my blood sugars being low and swore that I was going to end up with some form of dementia later on in life because of it and did not listen to the fact that I get most of my daily energy from fat calories in my "Ketogenic" diet, which there are mountains of evidence of this type of diet being neuro-protective and are widely used to slow down alzheimer . parkinson, epilepsy and other similar conditions. Ketogenisis is a very good explanation of the age old observation of people gaining a mental "Clarity" of an almost spiritual nature when fasting.. IE shifting from carbohydrate sources of cellular energy (of which the brain is a very large consumer) to lipid based sources of energy.. (such as Beta Hydroxy Buterate, Aceto-Acetone and Acetone.)
I think it is a cultural paradigm and the type 2 diabetes and obesity epidemic is a direct result of it.
Of course Coca Cola is the personification of "evil big food" and they will do whatever it takes to keep making money as water running from the tap. Its amazing how much money one can make from selling flavoured sugar water plus some advertising.
But the negative effects of increased sugar intake is nothing new. For several years the anti-fructose movement has been making noise and has been showing increasing insight is the underlying mechanisms. Famous example spokesperson of this movement is Dr Lustig, and googling his name alone gives a boatload of references.
But where is the response from society (not from some smart commercial brands), where is the education in schools, in children's TV programs, in popular scientific programs, in journals being read by large percentages of the population. And when will we start listening to this??!!
We still buy all this processed junk, with the bright coloured labels promising everything and being "fat free". We as a society have to immediately start buying other food products. More "real" unprocessed foods, and please leave those products with added sugar packaged in plastic in the store. Spend more time buying, cooking, eating and ENJOYING this food.
The industry will make whatever we buy. Self regulation from their side is an illusion.
So WE need to change.
Why are other peoples sig's always more witty ???