Health experts: Coca-Cola funds scientists with ‘misleading’ message

Influential scientists have been roped in to spread the message in medical journals, at conferences and through social media: get more exercise and worry less about cutting calories.

He quickly went on to add that “there’s really virtually no compelling evidence that that, in fact, is the cause”.

However, health experts are skeptical about this message and believe that this is misleading, saying that this is Coke’s strategy to combat critics and the role of sugary drinks that are linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. These same experts say that the company is using its research group to suggest that exercise can offset a bad diet, but the evidence is to the contrary.

This move by coke to mislead Americans comes at a time when efforts are being made to tax sugary drinks, remove them from schools and stop companies from marketing them to children. The organisation aims to promote the message that weight-conscious Americans should focus more on exercising than constantly worrying about how much calories they are consuming to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Last year, Coke donated $1.5 million to start Global Energy Balance Network, according to the Times.

The Global Energy Balance Network deems that the attainment of a correct balance between the calories consumed and the calories used up by the body during metabolic processes is the main driving force to reducing obesity, and not by decreasing caloric intake, particularly sugary drinks and fast food products.

But James O. Hill, president of the new organization and professor from the University of Colorado’s School of Medicine, gave a statement insisting that the scientists are the ones running the show, not Coca-Cola.

According to public health lawyer, Michele Simon, Coke’s sales are slipping and now there’s a huge backlash against the consumption of soda from both political and public sides where every city in America is trying to hinder its consumption. This is a direct response to the ways that the company is losing.

Records show the network’s website, gebn.org, is registered to Coca-Cola headquarters in Atlanta, and that the company is listed as the site’s administrator, the paper says.

Physical activity is important and certainly helps, experts say. A 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola, for example, contains 140 calories and roughly 10 teaspoons of sugar.

Coca-Cola has teamed up with scientists to promote physical activity as a solution to chronic disease and obesity.