Health News

Sports drinks, lots of sugar, salt

Some U.S. schools have switched from soft drinks to sports drinks but the Center for Science in the Public Interest said it isn't a healthier alternative.

Published: Sept. 17, 2007 at 2:35 PM

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Some U.S. schools have switched from soft drinks to sports drinks but the Center for Science in the Public Interest said it isn't a healthier alternative.

The growing share of so-called sports drinks are little more than sugar water with added salt, said Margo G. Wootan, director of nutrition policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington.

"The good news is that soft drinks sales are declining in schools," Wooten said in a statement. "The bad news is the majority of school beverages are still sugary drinks -- and soft drinks are the No. 1 source of calories in teens’ diets."

The increase in bottled water sales is good news but given that two-thirds of high school beverage sales are still sugary drinks, voluntary industry action coupled with state and local policies aren't enough to solve the problem, said Wootan.

© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional Health News Stories
Top News Tucson shooting photos of crime scene, evidence released TUCSON, May 22 (UPI) -- The Pima County Sheriff's Department released 580 photos of the Tucson crime scene where six people died and then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was among the wounded. Jodi Arias says she's ready to meet her maker if sentenced to death Commentary: Israel: Crises 360 degrees 30 cars set ablaze in third night of rioting in Stockholm Boy Scouts of America to vote on gay scout resolution	Entertainment News Ex says O.J. Simpson was obsessed with former spouse Nicole NEW YORK, May 22 (UPI) -- Christie Prody, O.J. Simpson's ex-girlfriend, says the jailed former football star was obsessed with his late ex-wife, Nicole Brown. Singer Chris Brown is uninjured in car crash Jesse James posts photo of his severed finger on Instagram British TV actor Richard Thorp dead at 81 Emile Hirsch and Holliday Grainger play Bonnie and Clyde in miniseries
Odd News Man finds 1938 Superman comic in wall of house ELBOW LAKE, Minn., May 22 (UPI) -- A Minnesota remodeler said the comic book -- Superman's first appearance -- he found in the walls of a home is worth 10 times what he paid for the house. Missouri clerk sells herself winning Powerball ticket Teacher suspended for sleeping during class Motorist runs out of gas, practices drums at side of interstate Seniors decorate sailboat for positive prank	Business News U.S. senators hear mixed assessment of shale WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Maintaining a flat level of natural gas production from U.S. shale deposits is an elusive prospect, an energy policy director told U.S. lawmakers. More to U.S. oil than North Dakota, EIA says Obama threatens Keystone XL veto Canada's west coast readies for LNG exports Crude oil steady under $96