Question

Why is the American Medical Association warning against excessive sugar consumption?

Answer 1

Countless studies have demonstrated that sugary drinks are linked to an alarming increase in diseases which shorten lifespan and health span in humans and animals alike.

Explanation:

The American Medical Association (AMA) changed its position in June 2017 and now believes that the excess sugars added to common food and drinks in the United States are a cause of the alarming increase in many chronic diseases.

Approximately half of the population in the United States has at least one chronic disease at this moment (according to recent statistics) -- while countless numbers of people might be presently sick without even knowing.

These diseases, regarded now as full-blown epidemics, are type 2 diabetes, some cardiovascular diseases, obesity and others.

The AMA Board member William E. Kobler, MD, stated in the AMA general meeting of June 2017 that the excessive sugar consumption has been directly linked, in scientific studies, to some of the nation’s most debilitating diseases.

Only through firm action and new guidelines from AMA, FDA, and state organizations nationwide could lives be saved and the burden of costs to the nation could become lower.

The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (including sodas, or soft drinks, juices, teas and others) has been determined to be a main cause of this tremendous burden of disease and only a revolution in prevention and good education at all levels will be helping people to prevent the onset of such diseases.

Source: American Medical Association. "AMA Adopts Policy to Reduce Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages", Jun 14, 2017.

https://www.ama-assn.org/ama-adopts-policy-reduce-consumption-sugar-sweetened-beverages