The October issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association puts sugar in the spotlight and is designed to encourage dentists to consider their part in the latest movement to curb nutrition-related chronic disease.
“Shining a spotlight on added-sugar consumption, especially as it relates to dental caries, is an important first step,” said Kerry K. Carney, DDS, editor-in-chief of the Journal. “Dentists can play an essential role in supporting health behaviour change on multiple levels.”
In the first article, “Fructose and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease”, the author reviews research and details how the increase in sugar consumption in the US has led to a new disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which has become epidemic, even in children.
The authors of the article “Understanding the Impact of Added Sugar Consumption on Risk for Type 2 Diabetes” discuss the physiological mechanisms by which consumption of added sugars may increase risk for type 2 diabetes, the research evidence that suggests it does and the reason why there is conflicting evidence to suggest that it does not.
“Advocating for Soda Taxes: How Oral Health Professionals Fit In” provides strategies that oral health professionals can use to increase their visibility in the media to make the case for soda taxes.
Lastly, the article “Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Warning Labels: Lessons Learned from the Tobacco Industry” shows how health warnings, such as those on tobacco products, could be an effective tool for educating consumers about the health risks of sugar-sweetened beverages.