Evidence continues to mount that sugar may be as addictive as cigarettes as is certainly a more acute concern for public health. Now a new book by Gary Taubes delves into the science and public policy surrounding sugar as a threat to health. In his detailed account, Taubes also investigates the corporate motivations, profits, and response to concerns about sugar. His findings will alarm many and the revelations of how “Big Sugar” has influenced regulations and policy will give pause to many more.
Key Takeaways:
- We’re well aware of this pattern when it comes to Phillip Morris and cigarettes. We’re now learning of a similar pattern with Exxon-Mobil, which knew about global warming but promoted and supported the research of climate change deniers in order to ward off attempts to regulate fossil fuel extraction and production.
- Greed and narrow self-interest have regularly corrupted science. Why should the food industry be any different?
- That we now know better is not only the result of better science, but of social movements that challenged traditional prejudices and orthodoxies in all areas of culture, including science.
“The story is often the same: A company knew its product caused harm; it covered up the truth, and promoted false science in its own defense.”
https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/how-sugar-became-great-public-health-hazard-our-time&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGjM5ZjM5OTY2MWYzZGRiYzA6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNGrHHZSIlGIOuscvBh8VglIjUPjRA