A new study has found Australian soft drinks contain considerably more glucose than is found in sugary drinks overseas.
Those behind the study say more research is needed to assess the potential health consequences for Australians.
Professor Bronwyn Kingwell recently conducted a study comparing Australian soft drinks with those available overseas.
It found that Australian soft drinks use sugar derived from sugar cane, which has a 20 per cent higher glucose concentration than the sugar used in American and European drinks, which contain more fructose.
Professor kingwell explains , "This means that blood glucose will go up higher when we consume our Australian sugary drinks and that this will also increase blood insulin as well."
Professor Kingwell says further studies are needed to assess potential health consequences.
"Particularly with regard to mental function and mood, but also in the longer term how that will effect chronic disease risk, for example for diabetes and for heart disease."
Those study results would be helpful in formulating health policy.
The Obesity Policy Coalition advocates a 20 per cent tax on sugary drinks, and has researched the potential benefits over 25 years.
It found the tax would save 1,600 lives ...
Prevent 4,400 heart attacks and 1,100 strokes ...
... And save the health-care system more than $600 million.
