NEW ORLEANS, Apr 24, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Weight gain is more likely to
increase as a result of liquid calories, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages,
than solid food calories, U.S. researchers said.
Lead author Dr. Liwei Chen of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences
Center said the study reports four principal findings: a reduction in liquid
calorie intake was significantly associated with weight loss at both six months
and 18 months; the weight-loss effect of a reduction in liquid calorie intake
was stronger than that of a reduction in solid calorie intake; a reduction in
sugar-sweetened beverage intake was significantly associated with weight loss at
both six and 18 months; and no other beverage type was associated with weight
change.
"Today, Americans consume 150-300 more calories a day than they did 30 years
ago, and caloric beverages account for approximately 50 percent of this
increase," Chen said in a statement.
The researchers tracked 810 men and women ages 25-79 whose 24-hour dietary
intake recall was measured by telephone interviews conducted when they entered
the study and at six and 18 months.
The absence of chewing when consuming liquids may result in decreased pancreatic
responses and beverages also clear the stomach sooner than solid food and may
induce weaker satiety signals, the researchers said.
The findings are published in May 1 issue of the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition.
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