Journal Article

The Public Health and Economic Benefits of Taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

Brownell, Kelly D, Farley, Thomas, Popkin, Barry M, Willett, Walter C, Thompson, Joseph W, Ludwig, David S, Chaloupka, Frank J

2009

Overview

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has increased in recent decades; evidence suggests that consumption of these beverages contributes to obesity and adverse health outcomes. The authors discuss the potential public health and economic benefits of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has increased in recent decades, and evidence suggests that these beverages contribute to obesity and adverse health outcomes. The authors discuss the potential public health benefits of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages. The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been linked to risks for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease 1 – 3 ; therefore, a compelling case can be made for the need for reduced consumption of these beverages. Sugar-sweetened beverages are beverages that contain added, naturally derived caloric sweeteners such as sucrose (table sugar), high-fructose corn syrup, or fruit-juice concentrates, all of which have similar metabolic effects. Taxation has been proposed as a means of reducing the intake of these beverages and thereby lowering health care costs, as well as a means of generating revenue that governments can use for health programs. 4 – 7 Currently, . . .

• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Subject: Adult / Beverages - adverse effects / Beverages - economics / Biological and medical sciences / Body Weight / Child / Diabetes / Diet / Dietary Sucrose - administration & dosage / Dietary Sucrose - adverse effects / Energy Intake / General aspects / Health Policy - economics / Health Policy - legislation & jurisprudence / Humans / Medical sciences / Meta-analysis / Miscellaneous / Public health. Hygiene / Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine / Sugar / Tax rates / Taxes / United States