Different perspective on soda

Relating how much exercise it takes to burn off calories from soda may more effectively promote healthy choices than nutrition labels.

A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University found that black teenagers in Baltimore, Md., were discouraged from buying sugary drinks at convenience stores when they saw signs telling them how many miles they’d have to walk to burn those calories off, according to SFGate.com. The researchers chose that demographic because, on average, black teens drink up to double the American Heart Association’s maximum daily recommendation of eight to 12 ounces for adolescents.

After the signs were posted, the researchers found the teens purchased fewer sugar-sweetened beverages and were more likely to choose drinks smaller than 16 ounces and to purchase water, diet soda and fruit drinks, though the researchers warned fruit drinks with less than 100 percent juice often contain as much sugar as soda.