February+12+-+Mrs.+Bassett

1. Essential information of the article.

 * = Headline of the Article ||= Soft Drinks linked to Pancreatic Cancer ||
 * = Name of publication ||= Vancouver Sun, [|www.vancouversun.com] ||
 * = Date ||= Febuary 7, 2010 ||
 * = Scope ||= International (World) ||
 * = Location ||= Univeristy of Minnesota, USA, based on a Singapore Chinese Study. ||
 * = Topic ||= Health ||

__2. Summary of the article.__
Researchers from the University of Minnesota are warning drinking two or more soft drinks a week may nearly double a person’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer. This information is based on a Singapore Chinese study which involved 60,000 men and women over 14 years during which 140 of those developed invasive pancreatic cancer. The main function of the pancreas is to produce insulin. Scientist believe eating too much sugar can drive up a persons insulin levels which can increase the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. According to the study; pop drinkers who had two or more soft drinks per week had an 87-per-cent increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those who didn’t drink soft drinks. The pop drinkers were averaging five drinks per week. One of the study's lead authors warns the public from making hard comparisons between the Sinapore study and western populations. In 2006 a Swedish study involving 78,000 men and women reported a high consumption of high sugar foods was associated with a greater risk of pancreatic cancer in both sexes.

==__3. Reaction to the article.__==

I found this to be a very interesting article. I have taken some nutrition classes at University during my Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree so I understand that soda pop has no place in a healthy diet. I personally feel there are many reasons to stay away for sugary drinks like soda pop. The high levels of sugar mean you are ingesting hundreds of calories with little to no nutritional value. The sugar gives spikes and crashes in a persons energy levels which can effect how well they burn calories. Also, many sodas also have high levels of caffeine which I try to only have in moderation. I try to stay away from energy drinks in particular which tend to have very high levels of caffeine. I was not aware of the possible long term effects of having even just two or more sodas in one week. It is frightening to think that such a small lifestyle choice could possibly lead to something as serious as cancer.

==__4. Link to the article.__==

@http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Soft+drinks+linked+pancreatic+cancer/2535119/story.html