Earlier this week, Coca-Cola announced an initiative to help people get active and set a goal of inspiring 3 million individuals. According to the press release, Coca-Cola’s “Get The Ball Rolling” effort underscores the company’s global commitments to fight obesity and be part of the solution.
Oh, the irony.
Each year, the average American consumes 43 pounds of sugar from soft drinks alone. If Coca-Cola wants to educate people about health and nutrition, maybe they should publicize the links between refined sugar and violent behavior, fatigue, stiffening of arteries, headaches, depression, skin irritation, acne, hypoglycemia, diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, nervous tension and obesity. Or maybe they should do a public service announcement about how, according to brain scans, sugar is as addictive as cocaine.
Coca-Cola’s press release notes that the company offers low or no calorie options in every market. What the press release doesn’t mention is that even artificial sweeteners have been linked to obesity in that they increase cravings for other sugary, unhealthy foods.
The company commends itself for putting caloric information on the front of all packaging. However, Coca-Cola does nothing to educate consumers that not all calories are alike. Unlike the calories in many of the foods we eat, soft drink calories are “empty” and come without any nutritional benefit.
Moreover, the press release goes on to say that the company markets “responsibly.” Coca-Cola and I must have different understandings of marketing responsibly, as a recent billboard near my home featured an Olympic swimmer reaching for a Coke. It implies a connection between Coca-Cola and health that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s reminiscent of those decades-old cigarette ads featuring endorsements by athletes like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays.
On one hand, it’s great that Coca-cola wants to help people be active. Getting people to move is a good thing. But on the other hand, if Coca-Cola wants to do something to help improve the health of Americans, it should close its doors and go out of business.
About Davey Wavey
Davey, I’m with you 200% on this. I am 67 (almost 68) and gave up all colas and other sweetened and artificially sweetened carbonated beverages years. I weigh the same now as I did when I graduated from high school. I run every morning. I think the instance of Type 2 Diabetes would be drastically reduced if others would help put Coca-Cola and other similar companies out of business but drinking water instead.
I can’t say I agree to 100%… 99% though! Just like you said energy drinks aren’t all that bad if they are taken in moderation, so one can of coke a week wont kill you. Ill admit I drank coca cola since I was probably 5 or so (I ”borrowed” from my brothers.. schh dont tell!), and after about 14 years I could finally stop.. (And yes, I drank a lot)
What I think is the problem is that people did the same thing as me.. They just dont care 🙂 I don’t think the companies are to blame.. blame the people that cant keep their hands off the drinks. Nothing is too addictive to let go of..
Obviously you never plan on coming to Atlanta again. 🙂
Coca Cola employs about 150,000 people worldwide.
Before you call upon a business to close down, stop
and think about all the people you’ll be putting out
of work.
HA! The effects of soda on the body and the brain have crippled the American population. People will die slow deaths. The latest generation can’t even spell. These large food companies are like the modern day mafia. They’re in the business of killing and they obviously don’t care about the lives of the consumer if they’re trying to promote something as healthy when it’s the clear opposite.
Totally agree with Davey,
I strongly recommend ‘salt sugar fat’ from M Moss. Those products are formulated to create addiction and yes Coca Cola products strongly contributes to the obesity problem despite all its marketing campaigns.
As for the potentially unemployed people: ever heard of creative destruction…
The same people could still have their jobs in a company that decided to produce/sell healthier products.
All I have to say is: Amen.