Soft drinks have been linked to obesity.SHANNON STAPLETON/Reuters
SODA CRASH
Sugary soft drink lovers, be warned: You may have more to worry about besides tooth decay, obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Salon reports on a new study revealing that regular consumption of sodas and other sugary refreshments could be linked to accelerated DNA aging.
The study is the first to suggest a direct link between soft drinks and accelerated aging.
Researchers at the University of California recently determined that individuals who consumed only one 350 ml bottle of soda each day showed DNA changes consistent with cells 4.6 years or older.
In the study, which was published in the American Journal of Public Health, 5,309 healthy adults between 20 and 65 were polled on their current soft-drink consumption habits. Researchers then analyzed the DNA from each participant's white blood cells.
What they discovered: Telomeres – the DNA caps on the ends of chromosomes – were shorter in those volunteers who habitually drank sugar-laden sodas.
"Regular consumption of sugar-sweetened sodas might influence disease development, not only by straining the body's metabolic control of sugars but also through accelerated cellular aging of tissues," said study author Professor Elissa Epel.
Telomeres become shorter each time cells divide and are considered indicators of human lifespan, along with some forms of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Previous studies have indicated a possible link between telomere length and lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption and psychological stress.
"If we're seeing this apparent soda-induced telomere shortening in a diverse adult sample, what does that mean for our kids?" noted Eppel. "It may be a large part of why we have such a vast epidemic of not only obesity as adults, but early disease onset. Soda may be one of the invisible culprits."
At the same time, Eppel cautioned the study only showed an association between soft-drink consumption and cell aging.
There's also the possibility that the shortened telomeres could be caused by the rush of sugar into the bloodstream following the consumption of a sugary soft drink, which in turn causes oxidative stress and inflammation – "the perfect storm for degrading telomeres," said Eppel.
But according to David Jacobs, professor of public health and epidemiology at the University of Minnesota, the study presents an alarming discovery that warrants further research.
"It's an interesting suggestion that, by taking these beverages that so emphasize a single molecule, there's a fundamental relationship between excess sugar in the diet and telomeres," said Jacobs. "But disease is long-term, and these are small effects. You're going to need long-term studies with follow-up to really see what happens."
WALT'S WIT
Bryan Cranston has issued a cheeky response to the Florida mother trying to remove Breaking Bad action figures from Toys "R" Us stores. Last week, Susan Schrijver of Fort Myers, Fla., launched a petition on Change.org to protest the sale of Walt White figurines that come with a tiny sack of cash and a handgun. On Monday, Cranston, who portrayed White for six seasons on Breaking Bad, weighed in on the controversy with a tweet stating, " 'Florida mom petitions against Toys 'R Us over Breaking Bad action figures.' I'm so mad, I'm burning my Florida Mom action figure in protest."
Source: E!
RHYMIN' DIAMOND
Neil Diamond has finally revealed the real inspiration behind his 1969 hit Sweet Caroline. During a Today show interview earlier this week, the Grammy-winner dismissed the longstanding notion that the song was a tribute to the young Caroline Kennedy, daughter of late U.S. president John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline. The real story: "I was writing a song in Memphis, Tenn., for a session and I needed a three-syllable name," said Diamond. "The song was about my wife at the time – her name was Marsha – and I couldn't get a 'Marsha' rhyme." Diamond recently released the album, Melody Road, his first song collection in six years.
Source: CNN
DOWN, BOY
Have you seen the video of a giant dog getting playful with an Edmonton weatherman? Last week, Global News weatherman Mike Sobel introduced viewers to an 18-month-old mastiff named Ripple to promote animal adoption in Edmonton. While Sobel attempted to deliver his weather forecast, Ripple chewed through his lead and repeatedly jumped on the weatherman. So far, the video has garnered more than one-million views on YouTube.
Source: Slate
SHARK'S TALE
The third entry in the Sharknado franchise will take place in Washington. The SyFy network announced that Sharknado 3 will depict the man-eating sharks setting their sights on the Eastern seaboard, starting out in Washington and eventually working their way down to Orlando. Sharknado 3 is expected to air on SyFy in the summer of 2015.
Source: Mashable
GIVING BACK
Conservator-to-the stars Sam Lutfi swears he's only trying to help Amanda Bynes. Lutfi, who was previously enlisted by the parents of Britney Spears to intercede during the singer's infamous 2002 mental breakdown, recently wrote an open letter to XOJane.com to explain why he's providing the same service for the parents of Bynes, who was placed on psychiatric hold in Los Angeles two weeks ago. In Lutfi's own words: "I am a problem solver and I care about helping people get out of what may seem like some of their more difficult places in life." Lutfi also wrote: "All I can tell you is that Amanda is getting the help that she needs and that I am working closely with her and her family in order to ensure that we can move on from the tabloid sensationalism of her 'breakdown,' "
Source: Jezebel