Mar 05 2016 : The Times of India (Chennai)
Filmmaker's death adds fizz to debate on aerated drinks
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
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Awareness Low On Impact Of Carbonated Beverages: Experts
The bottle snatched away a director's life at his prime. But it was not alcohol that scarred 41-year-old Rajesh Pillai's liver, say those close to him, but his apparent fondness for another drink -a carbonated beverage.While the real cause of his liver failure may remain in the realm of conjecture, doctors say they would not be surprised even if it a cola claimed Pillai's life.
The impact of liquor on the liver is well documented but there is little awareness on aerated drinks causing the same effect if taken in higher proportion, too frequently, they say .
The sugar in aerated drinks gets deposited as fat in the liver. Over a period, it causes a condition called fatty liver, usually associated with obesity and alcohol consumption, said transplant surgeon Dr Vivek Shanmugam. He said at least eight of the 10 patients he sees have fatty liver, some as young as 15-16.
When the fat continues to be deposited in the liver over a long period, the organ gets inflamed and leads to a condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). “The condition can be reversed if the person has a healthy diet. If left unattended, it could cause scars in the l ive r, “ s a i d D r A n a n d Khakhar, programme director, Centre for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Apollo Hospitals.
Aerated beverages contain sweetening and colouring agents and caffeine that could meddle with the body's metabolism. “Caffeinated carbonated beverages also act as a diuretic (increases production of urine) and actually deplete bodily fluids, making you more thirsty than actually quenching your thirst,“ said nutritionist Meenakshi Bajaj. Studies have shown that caffeinated beverages are also mildly addictive. Bajaj said unlike popular notion, cold fizzy drinks do not help beat the heat. The best alternate drink between meals is water, nutritionists say. Other alternatives are buttermilk, fresh fruit juices and tender coconut water.
The impact of liquor on the liver is well documented but there is little awareness on aerated drinks causing the same effect if taken in higher proportion, too frequently, they say .
The sugar in aerated drinks gets deposited as fat in the liver. Over a period, it causes a condition called fatty liver, usually associated with obesity and alcohol consumption, said transplant surgeon Dr Vivek Shanmugam. He said at least eight of the 10 patients he sees have fatty liver, some as young as 15-16.
When the fat continues to be deposited in the liver over a long period, the organ gets inflamed and leads to a condition called non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). “The condition can be reversed if the person has a healthy diet. If left unattended, it could cause scars in the l ive r, “ s a i d D r A n a n d Khakhar, programme director, Centre for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Apollo Hospitals.
Aerated beverages contain sweetening and colouring agents and caffeine that could meddle with the body's metabolism. “Caffeinated carbonated beverages also act as a diuretic (increases production of urine) and actually deplete bodily fluids, making you more thirsty than actually quenching your thirst,“ said nutritionist Meenakshi Bajaj. Studies have shown that caffeinated beverages are also mildly addictive. Bajaj said unlike popular notion, cold fizzy drinks do not help beat the heat. The best alternate drink between meals is water, nutritionists say. Other alternatives are buttermilk, fresh fruit juices and tender coconut water.
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