Compre um refri, leve um veneno!

Promessa é dívida!

Aí vai.

Em 2003 a OMS publicou o relatório TRS 916 (para acessar o relatório completo clique aqui), cujo trecho abaixo eu destaco:

Free sugars

It is recognized that higher intakes of free sugars threaten the nutrient quality of diets by providing significant energy without specific nutrients. The Consultation considered that restriction of free sugars was also likely to contribute to reducing the risk of unhealthy weight gain, noting that:

. Free sugars contribute to the overall energy density of diets.
. Free sugars promote a positive energy balance. Acute and short-term studies in human volunteers have demonstrated increased total energy intake when the energy density of the diet is increased, whether by free sugars or fat (9--11). Diets that are limited in free sugars have been shown to reduce total energy intake and induce weight loss (12, 13).
. Drinks that are rich in free sugars increase overall energy intake by reducing appetite control. There is thus less of a compensatory reduction of food intake after the consumption of high-sugars drinks than when additional foods of equivalent energy content are provided (11, 14--16). A recent randomized trial showed that when soft drinks rich in free sugars are consumed there is a higher energy intake and a progressive increase in body weight when compared with energy-free drinks that are artificially sweetened (17). Children with a high consumption of soft drinks rich in free sugars are more likely to be overweight and to gain excess weight (16).

The Consultation recognized that a population goal for free sugars of less than 10% of total energy is controversial. However, the Consultation considered that the studies showing no effect of free sugars on excess weight have limitations. The CARMEN study (Carbohydrate Ratio Management in European National diets) was a multicentre, randomized trial that tested the effects on body weight and blood lipids in overweight individuals of altering the ratio of fat to carbohydrate, as well as the ratio of simple to complex carbohydrate per se. A greater weight reduction was observed with the high complex carbohydrate diet relative to the simple carbohydrate one; the difference, however was not statistically significant (18). Nevertheless, an analysis of weight change and metabolic indices for those with metabolic syndrome revealed a clear benefit of replacing simple by complex carbohydrates (19). The Consultation also examined the results of studies that found an inverse relationship between free sugars intakes and total fat intake. Many of these studies are methodologically inappropriate for determining the causes of excess weight gain, since the percentage of calories from fat will decrease as the percentage of calories from carbohydrates increases and vice versa. Furthermore, these analyses do not usually distinguish between free sugars in foods and free sugars in drinks. Thus, these analyses are not good predictors of the responses in energy intake to a selective reduction in free sugars intake.

O texto em negrito mostra uma relação direta entre o consumo de refrigerantes (ricos em açucar) e a obesidade, em especial a obesidade infantil.

Esse relatório foi objeto de forte pressão para ser abafado pela indústria alimentícia norte-americana, conforme mostra o artigo do jornal inglês The Guardian que pode ser acessado clicando aqui.

Ou seja, nada mais normal dentro do sistema capitalista que as empresas quererem esconder que seus produtos, em especial os alimentícios, matam. Compre um refri, leve um veneno!

A questão é que o relatório tornar-se-ia uma recomendação de dieta da OMS, que colocaria um limite de consumo diário de açúcar inferior àquele contide em apenas uma latinha de Coca-Cola. Em outras palavras, beber Coca-Cola colocaria em sérios riscos a saúde do consumidor.

E por que isto não aconteceu? A pergunta deve ser direcionada ao ex-ministro do Fernando Henrique que, como consultor da Coca, conseguiu impedir a normatização da questão.

Como o assunto foi tratado no âmbito de um organismo internacional, dou um doce para quem descobrir o nome do ministro.