Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Editorials

Happy corporate holidays from Coca-Cola

BMJ 2017; 356 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i6833 (Published 10 January 2017) Cite this as: BMJ 2017;356:i6833

Rapid Response:

Re: Happy corporate holidays from Coca-Cola

There is increasing evidence, mentioned in the article, that artificial sweeteners are probably no healthier than sugar and may be worse. There is increasing research to support this and it needs to be disseminated urgently. Next year the sugar tax will mean that low sugar soft drinks will be cheaper than the alternatives and manufacturers will make the most of the opportunity to market them. We don't need "experts" quoted as saying that reducing sugar is the only thing that matters.

We had this with trans fats which have been replaced by palm oil, causing massive environmental damage and no clear heath gain. We're having it again with "e-cigarettes", which admittedly are healthier than burning tobacco, but should be used to stop smoking and not marketed to adolescents.Can we please get our research and evidence in place in time for the next debate?

Competing interests: No competing interests

15 January 2017
Michael Peel
GP
4 Millstream Close, Axbridge, BS26 2DU