The past 2 years have seen a decline in the beverage category, 3.1% in 2009 and  2.1% in 2008, according to Beverage Marketing Corp . The worst hit products are “value-added waters”, or what we like to call “sugar-water with vitamins”. For example, Coca Cola’s Vitamin Water took a 13% hit. The sales of classic soda pop were declining for the 5th straight year in a row. So are people drinking less? Obviously not.... 

Will New Yorkers agree to a tax on sugary soft drinks? That is yet to be determined, but both proponents and opponents are not taking any chances. The Alliance for a Healthier New York is airing the above commercial til mid March. Will this counterpunch to the well oiled marketing and PR machine of the American Beverage Association succeed? We’re highly doubtful that the campaign will succeed, despite the fact that soft drinks are a major... 

If you have not been following the soda tax controversy lately, here’s a quick update. In the past year,  Capitol Hill and even the President have said that taxing sugary soft drinks may be a good way to reduce consumption and create a $50B revenue stream for the federal government over the next decade. The American Beverage Association spun into action in order to kill any such legislative ideas, using TV commercials, direct lobbying... 

From Healthfinder , the website of the Department of  Health and Human Services, a study that shows pancreatic cancer risk doubled for people who consume 2 or more soft drinks a week. “Soft drinks are linked with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer,” said Noel Mueller, lead author of a study appearing in the February issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention . “We can’t speculate too much on the mechanism... 

Remember the proposed soda tax? The added penny per fluid ounce, generating $50 billion in funds to combat obesity in the next 10 years. Well, forget about it. Never mind obesity. To hell with diabetes. The beverage industry needs to grow its bottom line, and no one is going to to tax its products. Certainly not a bunch of do gooders on behalf of the “nanny-state”. You see, in this great democracy called America, money votes. And... 

If you’ve ever been on a weight loss diet, you know how difficult it is to stay the course, achieve your target weight, and then maintain it for months and years. The majority of dieters fail to maintain their low weight for over a year. For many, a diet means a temporary sacrifice and inconvenience in order to reach a certain goal (Weddings, bikini season, etc..). But unlike other one time sacrifices – working as a teen all summer...