Stomach This
Elizabeth Fuhrman
Managing Editor
Managing Editor
If reports on calorie-laden soft drinks weren’t
in the media enough, the new angle seems to have the media weighing in on
diets. In June, the American Diabetes Association reported at its annual
meeting in San Diego that in a study conducted
by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio,
researchers found that those consuming diet sodas gained more weight during
the study period than their counterparts consuming regular soft drinks.
The study followed more than 600 people for as long as eight years, and found that approximately 33
percent of those drinking one to two regular soft drinks per day became
overweight or obese, with that figure jumping to 47 percent if they
consumed more than two. Those numbers jumped to 54 percent for diet soft
drink consumers having one to two cans per day, and 57 percent if partaking
in more than two.
The researchers were quick to point out that diet soft
drinks do not cause obesity. Hello, most diet sodas have zero calories.
They did hypothesize several theorizes. First, although a diet soda tastes
sweet to the palate, the body still recognizes that it is nutritionally
empty, so by consuming diets people wind up sending their bodies searching
for more calories. Another take is that consumers develop a certain mindset
that rationalizes that because diet sodas are calorie-free, they have a
right to eat other foods more liberally.
The study may raise more questions than it answers but
USA Weekend
columnist Tedd Mitchell, an M.D. and medical director at the Wellness
Program of Dallas’ Cooper Clinic, summed it up the best: “If we
fill our diets with unhealthful foods, our choice of beverage is unlikely
to make up the difference.” A healthy diet requires paying attention
to what goes in the glass and on the plate.
Colorado brews for U.S. biz
In June, David Rehr,
National Beer Wholesaler Association (NWBA) president, hosted a U.S.
Chamber of Commerce gathering for 150 U.S. business leaders at the historic
Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo. Odell Brewing, Bristol Brewing,
New Belgium Brewing and Left Hand Brewing shared their Colorado beer with
the NBWA and U.S. Chamber of Commerce leaders while discussing the benefits
the beer industry provides to the Colorado economy – from jobs to
taxes paid into state and local coffers.
Leap frog
This year, Señor Frog’s, the Cancun spring
break party landmark, is entering the States at Myrtle Beach’s
“Broadway at the Beach,” followed by openings in Honolulu and
Las Vegas. The restaurant chain is bringing with it Señor
Frog’s ‘World Famoso’ Yard Glass – a 16-inch beer
that has spread the restaurant chain’s popularity.
Working up a sweat
NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth
joined Virginia Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade John Sternlicht,
Wythe County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Wythe Sharitz and
officials from The Gatorade Co. to break ground this summer on a new
manufacturing and distribution facility in Wythe County, Va. The facility,
which will be the company’s eighth plant, will produce both Gatorade
Thirst Quencher and Propel Fitness Water, starting in September 2006.
Real energy
Lance Collins, founder and chief executive officer of
Fuze Beverage, and Lisa Gastineau of the “Gastineau Girls”
reality TV show on E! Entertainment Television, were on hand to celebrate
the third annual Energy Up! program in New York City. Fuze is a sponsor of
the Energy Up! program that emphasizes a healthy lifestyle.
Hennessy VIPs
Chicago’s hip-hop DJs Mike Love and The Diz were
recognized by Hennessy V.S. as part of Hennessy V.S. V.I.P. Access Weekend
with hip-hop superstar Common. Hennessy delivered an open bar featuring
Hennessy Sidecar, Piña de Hennessy and Hennessy VIP. One guest who
entered and won the Hennessy VIP Access Weekend contest promotion will join
one of their local DJs and a friend for a trip to France to see Hennessy
production and for a private concert with Common in Paris.
Dedicated brewing
Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner, Texas, maker of Shiner Bock
and Shiner Light, honored John Hybner for his contributions to the world of
brewing after 40 years of service. A celebration for almost 200 toasted
Hybner, who also received a letter of congratulations from President Bush.
Carlos Alvarez, owner of the Gambrinus Co. and the Spoetzl Brewery,
announced that the Texas Department of Transportation had approved the
renaming of Shiner’s East Brewery Street to John Hybner Way.