In my class, I have some friends who are fans of sugary drinks. They often drink a 1.5-liter soda every day. I think to myself, do they know how much sugar is in that bottle, how many calories it has and how unhealthy it is?

That question pushes me to do something. The Press Herald ran a news story about displaying a warning on labels of sugary drinks in California (“California lawmakers reject sugary drink warnings,” June 18). I believe it should be applied in Maine because a warning on sugary beverages would benefit people.

Here is some information you should know: A 1.5-liter Coke contains 195 grams of sugar. There are 752 calories in 195 grams of sugar. Consumers will get obese if they don’t control their calories. The latest Centers for Disease Control report has the national obesity rate at 35 percent.

Drinking something so sweet every day can cause high blood pressure. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 150 calories of added sugars; higher numbers of added-sugar calories will lead to heart disease. Moreover, it can cause type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, too.

Many people don’t have enough information about the things they eat and drink. Although the American Beverage Association claims “only 6 percent of calories in the average American’s diet come from soda, fruit, sports and energy drinks,” consumers still have the right to know. I believe they will plan and control the calories in their meals.

Therefore, a warning label will help consumers know more of the effects of their drinks. I hope the obesity rate will be curtailed, because that will benefit our young.

Tam Thai

Portland

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