[thedoc (OP)]

What is the sugar tax, why is it being imposed and, most importantly, will it work?
Read a transcript of the interview by clicking here
or [chapter podcast=1001320 track=16.03.22/Naked_Scientists_Show_16.03.22_1004905.mp3] Listen to it now[/chapter] or [download as MP3]

[JoeBrown]

Childhood obesity and diabetes is/have been on the rise.

Excess sugar in diets is a cause.  Sugary drinks have been and are a commercial success.  When something works so well in the commercial environment, it is exploited as such.

Taxing is a somewhat effective deterrent, to socially acceptable, problematic commercial behavior.

Will it work?  To some degree.  It's not a cure, but it will likely have a positive effect.

[Adel]

The problem with diet soft drinks is that they reset your body's threshold for insulin secretion thereby promoting insulin resistance and diabetes. The sugary taste tells your body to prepare to handle a large caloric load by secretion insulin. When you get the taste of sugar without the calories, your body adjusts over time and increases the sweetness level at which it will secrete insulin. And next time you get a dose of real sugar, your blood sugar level will go up higher before insulin kicks in.