“Soft drinks could cause asthma”, South Australian research team
A new study, published in the 7 February 2012 issue of the journal Respirology, has drawn a link between high soft drink consumption and increased risks of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A team of researchers led by Dr Zumin Shi, of the University of Adelaide, conducted research on consumption of soft drinks from March 2008- June 2010. The researchers used computer-assisted telephone interviewing nearly 17,000 participants aged 16 years and older in South Australia between March 2008 and June 2010.
The surveyed soft drinks included lemonade, Coca-cola, and flavored mineral waters such as Mizone, Powerade, and Gatorade.
Results had shown that in South Australia, one in ten adults drank more than half a litre of soft drink daily.
According to the research, there exists a dose-response relationship which means the more soft drink one consumes, the higher the chance of having these diseases.
The odds ratio for asthma and COPD was 1.26 and 1.79, comparing those who consumed more than half a liter of soft drink per day with those who did not consume soft drinks
Overall, 13.3 percent of the surveyed participants with asthma and 15.6 percent of those with COPD were reported to consume more than two cups of soft drink per day.
Please give the full citation for those of us who want to learn more information, such as
• does this apply equally to sugared and sugar-free drinks?
• what was the p value?
• who funded the research?
• did any other risk factors for COPD and asthma appear in the study?
Editor: Dear Jake, I recommend you contact a specialist food lawyer or consultant for extra professional advice that you are seeking.