by Maya Ben-Yosef ’15

On average, Americans consume 40 gallons of sugary soda each year, and the average teenager drinks 760 cans of soda per year. The average person of any age drinks more than 500 cans of soft drinks per year. After drinking a 16 ounce soft drink, 12 teaspoons of sugar begin to work its way through the body. It raises the insulin level, which inhibits the release of growth hormones. Insulin promotes the storage of fat, so that when eating sugar, the consumer is making way for rapid weight gain. Even with all of the discussion in the media about healthy versus unhealthy food, Americans continue to make the wrong choice in what they eat and drink.

In September 2012, the New York City Board of Health, which is appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, approved the law banning super-sized drinks over 16 ounces sold in food-service establishments. Most of these super-sized drinks are soda, so the purpose of the law is to prevent people from drinking these unhealthy beverages in large quantities.

Bloomberg made the right decision in pushing this law for the citizens of New York City. It is time to take a stand and save Americans from obesity and other health problems. New York City should be just the beginning; it is time that other cities, states and even countries follow in New York City’s footsteps and promote this healthy change. We need to change many Americans’ outlook on life. Fewer sugary drinks result in healthier habits and more active Americans because they will have more energy and nothing to slow them down. It is the responsibility of our leaders to make sometimes unpopular decisions for the good of society.

As noted in an October 12 Associated Press article, “For someone who drinks a soda every day, for example, downing a 16-ounce Coke instead of a 20-ounce one trims 14,600 calories a year, or the equivalent of 70 Hershey bars.” In the same article, Bloomberg said, “it’s time to face the facts: Obesity is one of America’s most deadly problems, and sugary beverages are a leading cause of it.”

The soda industry is fighting hard against this law because it could impact their booming business by reducing the amount of drinks they sell. It does not think that there needs to be a law telling people how to take care of their own health. However, the soda industry’s emphasis on personal choice rings hollow compared to beverage companies’ real concern about the law’s negative impact on profits. For decades, the shady industry has made billions of dollars at the expense of Americans’ health.

*Ben-Yosef is currently enrolled in Journalism.