There’s no drink quite as satisfying as a “Slurpee” on a hot day.
It’s cold, refreshing, tasty, and… dangerous?
This, according to a new Australian advertising campaign from LiveLight that exposes the reality of the ingredients that go into making the tasty soft drink.
The frozen soft drinks, which are often sold in fast food outlets for as little as $1, contain up to 20 teaspoons of sugar – the same amount as nearly eight lemonade ice blocks.
The “Don’t be Sucked In” campaign even likens drinking a Slurpee to consuming a large cup of bulging toxic fat, and revealed that indulging in just one of these large drinks every day this summer could result in gaining nearly two kilograms of weight (approx 5 pounds).
Craig Sinclair of Cancer Council Australia stated that although the ingredient breakdown is difficult to see, it is necessary to educate people about what they’re putting in their body. “While this graphic advertisement isn’t easy to look at, it clearly illustrates the risks of drinking too many sugary drinks,.”
“Frozen drinks, in particular, contain ridiculous amounts of added sugar – even more than a standard soft drink.
“A mega $3 Slurpee contains… more than three times the maximum recommended by the World Health Organisation of six teaspoons a day.”
Dietitian Alison McAleese said extra sugar can lead toward weight gain, obesity, and toxic fat, and increase the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart and kidney disease.
“When nearly two-thirds of Aussie adults and a third of kids are overweight or obese, it’s completely irresponsible for these companies to be actively promoting excessive consumption of drinks completely overloaded with sugar,” Ms. McAleese said.
“And while this campaign focuses on the weight-related health risks, we can’t ignore the fact that sugary drinks are also a leading cause of tooth decay in Australia, with nearly half of children aged 2–16 drinking soft drink every day.”
The “Don’t Be Sucked In” campaign is currently running in various mediums across Australia.
If Slurpees are your “go to” refreshing beverage perhaps this knowledge will help you make a healthier beverage selection.
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