Sweetened drinks as a source of sugar intake in selected teenagers in South‐East England

Abstract

Two hundred and forty‐six young teenagers taking part in a dental survey in the South‐East of England were questioned about their usual drinks. The overwhelming majority of these drinks contained sugar. There were significantly more girls than boys in the group choosing unsweetened beverages. Dissatisfaction with their appearance due to acne or obesity was the main factor which had persuaded a small number who had previously sweetened their tea or coffee to reduce their sugar consumption, use a sugar substitute, or abstain altogether from sweetening their beverages.

Changes in the Prevalence of Dental Caries: How Much Can Be Attributed to Changes in Diet?

“…Taking into account the rising con sumption of 'light' drinks (with no or very low cariogenic potential) in this country, beneficial effects in adults are almost certain to have occurred. Children are commonly thought to use light drinks less fre quently, but interest of 13-year-old English adoles cents for noncaloric sweeteners with the aim of reduc ing energy intake was documented already in 1976 [Thomson, 1977], There is, however, no specific evi dence indicating that artificially sweetened beverages have contributed to the improvement in dental health observed in US schoolchildren in 1980-1987. Sugarfree, nonacidogenicchewinggum has hardly been men tioned as a partial reason but might also be a factor.…”

Diet and Caries in High-Risk Groups in Developed and Developing Countries

“…A high intake of sugar may also be part of the traditional diet of some ethnic groups. 'For some im migrant Asian children the sweetness of tea was even more a family taste, as sugar was not added to the in dividual cups, but to the teapot' [Thomson, 1977].…”