On the July 23 broadcast of KCNC's CBS4 News at 5 p.m., CBS4 co-anchor Molly Hughes reported that a recently published study “found [that] people who have one or more soft drinks a day, regular or diet, are more likely to have metabolic syndrome, which can double the risk of heart disease and stroke.” Hughes further reported, “At least one nutritionist is speaking out, saying there is just no way diet drinks, which are almost 99 percent water, can cause weight gain or elevated blood pressure.”

While Hughes did not identify the “nutritionist” or his or her affiliation, the assertion that there is “no way” diet drinks “can cause weight gain or elevated blood pressure” is similar to the language of a July 23 press release issued by the American Beverage Association (ABA), an industry trade group. According to the ABA's press release quoting Susan K. Neely, the group's president and chief executive officer, "[I]t is scientifically implausible to suggest that diet soft drinks -- a beverage that is 99 percent water -- cause weight gain or elevated blood pressure."

In contrast, during the July 23 broadcast of KUSA's 9News at 6 p.m., co-anchor Bob Kendrick attributed similar criticism of the study to the industry trade group, reporting that “the American Beverage Association says the study, quote, doesn't prove any link between soft drinks and increased risk of heart disease. It is scientifically implausible to suggest that diet soft drinks, a beverage that is 99 percent water, could elevate weight gain or elevate blood pressure.”

In their newscasts, both CBS4 and 9News were referring to a July 23 report published by the American Heart Association (AHA), “Soft Drink Consumption and Risk of Developing Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and the Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-Aged Adults in the Community.” According to a July 24 Los Angeles Times article about the study, “Drinking as little as one can of soda per day -- either regular or diet -- is associated with a 48 percent increased risk of 'metabolic syndrome,' a key predecessor of heart disease and diabetes, according to new results released Monday.” As CNN reported, “The American Heart Association responded to criticism of the study” by noting that it “does not show that soft drinks cause risk factors for heart disease,” but rather “that the people studied who drank soft drinks were more likely to develop risk factors for heart disease.'”

CBS4 co-anchor Jim Benemann introduced Hughes' report by noting that there was a “new study, this one suggesting soft drinks might be hard on the heart.”

From the July 23 broadcast of KCNC's CBS4 News at 5 p.m.:

BENEMANN: Another new study, this one suggesting soft drinks might be hard on the heart.

HUGHES: Yeah, it actually says diet drinks are equally as bad as those sugary, non-diet sodas. The study from the American Heart Association found people who have one or more soft drinks a day, regular or diet, are more likely to have metabolic syndrome, which can double the risk of heart disease and stroke. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that lead to heart disease, including high blood pressure, obesity, and lower levels of the good cholesterol. Researchers admit even they were surprised diet soda drinkers had the same risk factors at the end of the research than those who drank the regular pop. At least one nutritionist is speaking out, saying there is just no way diet drinks, which are almost 99 percent water, can cause weight gain or elevated blood pressure. They say more research is needed.

The comments Hughes attributed to a “nutritionist,” however, were similar to the ABA statement attributed to Neely, its president and chief executive officer:

“This study doesn't prove any link between soft drinks and increased risk of heart disease. Its assertions defy the existing body of scientific evidence, as well as common sense. Even the researchers acknowledge that their study can't support a link.

The assertions being made could apply to any caloric product -- if you over consume any food or beverage with calories, there are health consequences. There is no scientific evidence to single out soft drinks as unique in this equation, and even this study doesn't support such an assertion.

Further, it is scientifically implausible to suggest that diet soft drinks -- a beverage that is 99 percent water -- cause weight gain or elevated blood pressure.

The ABA press release did not identify Neely as a ”nutritionist." Furthermore, Neely's biography on the ABA website notes past “health care association experience, including positions with the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AMC),” but it also does not identify her as a nutritionist. Additionally, her biography notes that "[p]rior to joining ABA, Neely was one of the architects of the nation's first Department of Homeland Security, where she served as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs":

Among her numerous responsibilities in that role, Neely managed threat announcements, branding, public education campaigns, and crisis communications.

Before her most recent service in the Department of Homeland Security, Neely served as Special Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. In both positions, she was an integral player in creating and educating the public about policy and procedures to protect the United States from terrorist attack.

In contrast to Hughes' report, the 9News segment about the AHA study attributed a similar critical statement to the ABA.

From the July 23 broadcast of KUSA's 9News at 6 p.m.:

KENDRICK: A new study suggests that drinking one or more soft drinks a day could be associated with an increase in the risk factors for heart disease -- could be associated. The observational study from the Boston University School of Medicine indicates the result was the same for regular and diet sodas: that drinking at least one soft drink a day could be linked with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels.

LESLIE CHO, M.D. [video clip]: The take-home message is to limit your amount of soft drinks, and that includes diet as well as regular soft drinks.

KENDRICK: In a statement the American Beverage Association says the study, quote, doesn't prove any link between soft drinks and increased risk of heart disease. It is scientifically implausible to suggest that diet soft drinks, a beverage that is 99 percent water, could elevate weight gain or elevate blood pressure.