Beverage Industry Responds to Nature Communications Paper on Mice

15 Aug 2013 --- In response to “Human-relevant levels of added sugar consumption increase female mortality and lower male fitness in mice,” a paper published today in the journal Nature Communications, the American Beverage Association issued a rebuttal.

Statement

“The findings of this mouse study must be viewed within context.  These mice were fed a diet that included a fructose and glucose mixture – not a sugar-sweetened beverage – every single day from infancy until the end of their lives. This is not a reflection of real life for humans.”

Additional Background

On the Study:

• The authors of this paper looked at 156 mice, not people.
• The mice in the experimental group were fed a dry “chow” with the amount of sugars – fructose and glucose – representing 25 percent of their daily caloric intake for life.  In contrast, recent government data shows that sugar-sweetened beverages account for only 6 percent of the calories in the average American’s diet.  Additionally, added sugars from all sources have been shown to account for only 16 percent, on average, of total calories consumed.
• Although the authors allege an increase in mortality among the mice, the average human life expectancy in the United States has continued to rise over the past several decades – regardless of levels of sugar, or sugar-sweetened beverage, consumption.
• The authors also note that the amount of energy intake from sugars fed to the mice is equivalent to three cans of soda; yet this amount of sugars could come from any food or beverage source.

On Consumption of Added Sugars and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages:

• Researchers have shown that between 1998 and 2008, consumption of added sugars in the U.S. declined, on average, by 24 percent.  Sugar-sweetened beverages were a key driver of this change, accounting for 39 percent of the reduction (77 calories).  Over this same time period, U.S. government obesity estimates show no decline.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS

• A similar paradox between obesity and either intake added sugars or sugar-sweetened beverages has been documented in Australia, where obesity rates increased with declining consumption of added sugars.