1. Your message to kids today that you wish you knew back then what you currently know now. Be specific.

I wish as a child, I knew the consequences of drinking soda or carbonated soft drinks, which resulted in cavities in my teeth. The average can of soda contains SIX teaspoons of sugar! Coke also contains acid in addition to sugar, which damage the enamel on our teeth. Soda and carbonated soft drinks should contain pure cane sugar, which is actually good for the body and doesn’t cause tooth decay. However, soft drink companies use high fructose corn syrup, which is a lot cheaper to produce and brings in more profits. In 1983, a beverage analyst estimated that by switching to high-fructose corn syrup, Coca-Cola gained a cost advantage of USD 70 million a year over Pepsi and its bottlers! A year later, Pepsi followed in Coke’s footsteps and also began using the artificial sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is also the suspected culprit behind increased rates in diabetes and obesity since it was introduced in 1982. High fructose corn syrup has other negative effects on the body which is beyond the scope of this article.

2. How did you learn your lesson or what was your lesson? Did you get hurt, did you upset someone, did you get scared?

My dentist never explained the causes to me, as he just treated my cavities. I spent much time in the dental office having my teeth drilled on and my cavities fixed. I could never figure out why I was getting cavities. I later learned the strong connection between carbonated soft drinks and cavities while in dental school, studying the effects of high fructose corn syrup and saw the direct effects as a practicing dentist. I see children who drink lots of soft drinks come to the office with a lot of cavities, and it’s quite obvious now.

3. What you would have done differently back then if you could turn back time.

If I could turn back time, I would avoid drinking all carbonated soft drinks (except maybe at birthday parties) and stick with water and NOT FROM concentrate fruit juices. (Juices from concentrate have a lot of sugar) It’s worth pointing out that Coca-Cola produced in Mexico with the large glass bottles are actually made with cane sugar, and NOT high fructose corn syrup! Also, the store called Whole Foods Market produces their own brand of soda called 365, which has NO high fructose corn syrup. It comes in a variety of flavors such as lemon lime, cola, root beer, and ginger ale. I’ve personally tasted them and they taste just the regular store brands, minus the high fructose corn syrup!

4. Do you convey this message to children in your life today?

Yes, all the time in my dental practice and people I come across. I tell children and their parents that soft drinks, which contain high fructose corn syrup is very damaging to the teeth as well as . Cane sugar is the preferred good sweetner, but can be hard to find as high fructose corn syrup is present in many foods today, not just in soft drinks. Education is very important, but difficult because soft drinks are so widely advertised.

– Dr. David Che, Cocoa Beach, Florida US, http://www.totallawofattraction.com