Would you endorse soda for a million dollars?

[StateOfMyHead]

The more I think about it, I'd probably do it for much less than $1M. I'm far from a public figure and nobody knows who I am so they wouldn't listen anyway. I could do it this afternoon for $100.

Ha ha I immediately thought there are very few statements I wouldn't be willing to say in exchange for $1M.

[HikingDO]

I’d endorse Diet Pepsi for a lifetime supply of Diet Pepsi.

[Zaphod]

I love soda. Probably too much. If I could just endorse for taste or how refreshing it is, I could probably do it depending on the exact script. Although, it is questionable whether or not they would want Dr. AR specifically for anything that I'd agree to doing.

Endorsing healthfulness is problematic. I guess if it was something along the lines of a diet soda that tastes great and is healthier for you than a HFCS soda, I could be on board. It would really depend on the specific claim.

I agree. I wouldnt make any dumb claims, and saying diet soda is 'bad' for you is just as dumb. I love soda, I only wish I didnt drink it for the acidity and effect on teeth. I only drink clear stuff.

I would gladly endorse it if I didnt have to say anything crazy, ************************ I do it for free now. 7up zero is amazing.

[afan]

I would truthfully say I drink diet soda. If I were to make a health claim, I would feel obligated to review the evidence far more carefully than I have. As a doctor giving advice about health, I would need to be sure that I knew what I was talking about. That would go far beyond determining that sugar, consumed in excess, contributes to obesity. It would require having an informed opinion about the implications of insulin resistance, with or without a program of healthy diet and exercise. It would require having an informed opinion about the effects on teeth and the relationship to amount of soda consumed.

I do not give this sort of advice as part of my practice, so I am far from well informed. In my own behavior, I don't drink sugary beverages but I do drink sparkling water and soda. In effect, I have decided it is safe enough to do so, but I cannot prove that I am right.

From a political POV, I think that blaming obesity specifically on sugary soda is a useless oversimplification.

Ronaldo is a health nut even by the standards of elite professional athletes. If someone wants to match his physique and conditioning, giving up sugary soda will gain nearly nothing on that goal. Workout 8 hours a day. Build your entire life around fitness and athletic performance. Quit your day job.

I happen to have seen a recent video on the food served to NFL players during off season practice and during the season. The teams have both cooks and dieticians. They serve healthy food and accommodate a variety of tastes. However, most of the players are American and they eat standard American diets. They are perhaps different than soccer players in that many struggle to consume enough calories to fuel those enormous bodies while building muscle. Many supplement their "normal" diets with protein shakes to support the weightlifting they do.

Short summary- Before I would advertise soda as a doctor, I would make sure I knew what I was talking about. Right now, I do not have an opinion as to whether soda can be simply classified as healthy or unhealthy.

[CordMcNally]

Short summary- Before I would advertise soda as a doctor, I would make sure I knew what I was talking about. Right now, I do not have an opinion as to whether soda can be simply classified as healthy or unhealthy.

None of the other 'famous doctors' typically know what they are talking about on TV.

[afan]

None of the other 'famous doctors' typically know what they are talking about on TV.

Agree. But I do not take them as models.
There is not much profit in encouraging good health behaviors, so there is not much money offered to real doctors to do it.

I doubt any international cartels are paying Ronaldo to pitch tap water.

In his case in particular, I gather he does what many pro athletes do in monitoring his exact calories burned in workouts and consumed in diet. If he were to drink a bottle of sugary Coke, he would either run some more laps or cut out some fruit. But most people do not have the time, willpower or capacity to manage their fitness like this.

[burritos]

On the rare occasion that I imbibe a sugary drink(soda, juice, mixed cocktail, smoothie, starbuck's coffee flavored sugar soln), the sensation I feel is probably akin to what people feel when they take heroin.

[Lordosis]

On the rare occasion that I imbibe a sugary drink(soda, juice, mixed cocktail, smoothie, starbuck's coffee flavored sugar soln), the sensation I feel is probably akin to what people feel when they take heroin.

Not really my wheelhouse but I think you have your uppers and downers reversed

[pierre]

On the rare occasion that I imbibe a sugary drink(soda, juice, mixed cocktail, smoothie, starbuck's coffee flavored sugar soln), the sensation I feel is probably akin to what people feel when they take heroin.

Whenever I succumb to a craving, all I feel is unsatisfied.

[xraygoggles]

C6H1206>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>willpower.

Zevia is a godsend: tastes just like Dr Pepper, Root Beer, Cream Soda, but with stevia instead of sugar/cane sugar etc.

Zero calories.

[afan]

Zero calories but there are studies suggesting the artificial sweeteners have metabolic effects that are associated with negative health outcome.

As I noted above, this is well outside my expertise, so I don't know whether the effects observed have adverse outcomes or are merely markers of bad effects of sugar. Interesting question. Since it has become political, it seems harder to find those who want to discuss the science without advocating for public policy.

[Sampter]

Zevia is a godsend: tastes just like Dr Pepper, Root Beer, Cream Soda, but with stevia instead of sugar/cane sugar etc.

Zero calories.

I agree that these are a great substitute, cherry cola is awesome. Regular cola is good, cream soda is good, I haven't had root beer. The Dr. Pepper is my least favorite.

[burritos]

While zero calories options don't affect glycemic status, there are potential CPIR(cephalic phase insulin responses) issues.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17510492/

While we care about recurrent glucose incursions, regular insulin releases is not prioritized or even acknowledged as a medical issue.

[jfoxcpacfp]

Given that you specifically stated the endorsement would be for the health benefits, I would endorse for the same price I would sell my dog - there is no such price. Of course, I’m not a famous doctor or even a famous CPA so I won’t be waiting for the call 😂.

[Zaphod]

Zero calories but there are studies suggesting the artificial sweeteners have metabolic effects that are associated with negative health outcome.

As I noted above, this is well outside my expertise, so I don't know whether the effects observed have adverse outcomes or are merely markers of bad effects of sugar. Interesting question. Since it has become political, it seems harder to find those who want to discuss the science without advocating for public policy.

Most of these studies are garbage associations right? That drinkers of diet soda are still on average fat which is not suprising, since the rest of the diet matters. Most nutritional studies are on par with social science in their quality.

I can see artificial maybe tricking the body in some way, do you have any quality papers you suggest.