DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Adding a tax on soda and sweetened drinks may result in some weight loss, but not among those in highest and lowest income groups, U.S. researchers say.
Eric Finkelstein of the Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School says depending on the calories a consumer chooses as a replacement for sugary drinks, a nationwide tax of 20 percent generates a daily average reduction of 6.9 calories -- or no more than 0.7 pounds per household member -- and generates about $1.5 billion per year in U.S. tax revenue. A 40 percent tax would reduce daily calories by 12.5 calories and generate annual weight losses of up to 1.3 pounds per person per year and generate about $2.5 billion per year.