In the scorching summer, drinks are a go-to choice for many. Recently, nutritionist Gu Zhongyi and Solier shared a post on Weibo showing how much sugar is in different beverages, sparking widespread discussion and awareness. It's no secret that a single bottle of sugary drink can pack a lot of calories, which may increase the risk of obesity and chronic diseases.
Many people try to balance their intake by exercising, but how long do you actually need to work out to burn off the extra energy from a drink? This question led me to do some calculations.
To start, let's clarify two common units for measuring energy: kcal (kilocalories) and kJ (kilojoules). One kcal equals 4.182 kJ, and one kJ equals approximately 0.239 kcal.
I reviewed several studies on energy expenditure during physical activities. One study measured the energy consumption of college students during slow walking (4 km/h), brisk walking (6 km/h), jogging (8 km/h), and cycling (12 km/h). The results showed average energy use of 12.11±1.84, 19.00±2.60, 32.99±4.90, and 16.43±2.68 kJ per hour per kilogram, respectively.
Another study focused on Chinese young women and measured energy use during daily activities such as slow walking (3 km/h), brisk walking (6 km/h), jogging (8 km/h), climbing stairs, descending stairs, and cycling (12 km/h). The values ranged from 1.24 to 6.26 kcal per hour per kilogram.
Based on these findings, I estimated the energy burned during various exercises for a 60 kg person:
- Slow walking (3 km/h): ~2.9 kcal/min
- Brisk walking (6 km/h): ~4.5 kcal/min
- Jogging (8 km/h): ~8.0 kcal/min
- Climbing stairs: ~4.0 kcal/min
- Descending stairs: ~3.0 kcal/min
- Cycling (12 km/h): ~4.3 kcal/min
For simplicity, I calculated the energy content of a 500 mL beverage and determined how long it would take to burn off those calories through different exercises. The results are shown in the chart below.
Of course, digestion and basal metabolism also burn some energy, but they’re relatively small and not considered here. Additionally, I assumed 100% absorption of the beverage’s energy for easier calculation. This means the energy from the drink is considered entirely extra if consumed after a normal meal.
Here’s another image highlighting the environmental impact of beverage bottles, taken by Deng Xiaowei.
The damage to the environment is undeniable. So, it’s best to drink less and make smarter choices for both your health and the planet.
China lighter production machine, lighter automation equipment, lighter assembly machine, lighter automatic inflator, lighter automatic lighter, lighter parts assembly machine, lighter accessories manufacturer
Lighter automation equipment,Lighter Assembly Machine,Lighter Automatic Inflator,Lighter automatic production line,Lighter Parts Assembly Machine
GuangDong Feituo Automation Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.feetoolighter.com