Most of the time, people have a good idea about which types of beverages contain high amounts of sugar, sodium or calories. What they might not know is the extent of a product’s nutritional value — or lack thereof. For food and beverage consumers, seeing is believing.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health discovered that many consumers incorrectly estimate the number of calories in foods and drinks, but when the caloric information is provided in a clear, easy-to-understand format, they make different purchasing choices. The study examined the effect of providing clear and visible caloric information about sugar-sweetened beverages at neighborhood stores. It found that providing easily understandable caloric information, specifically in the form of a physical activity equivalent, can reduce the purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages among adolescents by as much as 50 percent.