Dr. van Tulleken highlights the health risks of carbonated soft drinks and advocates for milk and water as healthier alternatives during his podcast appearance.
Health expert Dr. van Tulleken discussed the impacts of high sugar content and artificial sweeteners in drinks during his appearance on the Diary of a CEO podcast. He warned of the harmful health effects of carbonated soft drinks, particularly due to their sugar content. Following the implementation of the sugar tax in the UK in 2018, many soft drinks have been reformulated with artificial sweeteners. Dr. van Tulleken noted that this shift has led to an increase in ultra-processed drinks that lack nutrients and may contain harmful ingredients.
Dr. van Tulleken emphasized the benefits of milk as a healthier alternative, supported by the Association of UK Dieticians. He described milk as an affordable and nutritious drink that supports various aspects of health, from muscles and bones to immune functioning. He recommended water and milk, particularly for children, as better options than fizzy drinks. The NHS advises that pasteurised whole milk and semi-skimmed milk can be introduced to children from the age of one, whereas skimmed and 1% milk should be avoided for children under five due to insufficient calorie content.