Rethink Your Drink
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The “Rethink Your Drink” Campaign has a dual focus on 1) reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and 2) increasing consumption of water.
Scientific evidence consistently supports the conclusion that drinking soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages increases a person’s risk of being overweight or obese. As a result, reducing the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages people drink is an important strategy to reverse the obesity epidemic in California and across the country.
Scientific evidence consistently supports the conclusion that drinking soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages increases a person’s risk of being overweight or obese. As a result, reducing the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages people drink is an important strategy to reverse the obesity epidemic in California and across the country.
Key facts about sugary drinks
- Containing almost 17 teaspoons of sugar in every 20-ounce serving, sweetened beverages are the largest single source of added sugar in the American diet.
- Each day Americans consume an average of 22 teaspoons of sugar – far surpassing the recommended 5-9 teaspoons each day.
- 41% of children (ages 2-11 years) and 62% of adolescents (ages 12-17 years) in California drink at least one soda, sports drink, or other sugar-sweetened beverage every day.
- California adults who drink a soda or more per day are 27% more likely to be overweight or obese, regardless of income or ethnicity.
- The average American consumes 50 gallons of soda and other sweetened beverages each year.
- Marketers spend close to $500 million dollars a year to reach children and adolescents with messages about sugar-sweetened drinks, more than they spend on any other category.
- Liquid calories are not well compensated for by reductions in the intake of other sources of energy; therefore, calories from sweetened beverages tend to be “extra” calories that lead to higher total energy intake.
Key facts about drinking water
Photo from the Network for a Healthy California
- Water oxygenates your blood and flushes toxins.
- The human body is mostly water (60-70%), but the human brain is nearly 90% water. Drinking water helps cognitive functioning.
- Water is necessary for your lymph system, carrying infection-fighting white blood cells throughout your body.
- Children do not respond to thirst signals in the same way that adults do. Offer children water often, even when they’re not feeling thirsty.
“Rethink Your Drink” in Mendocino County
In May 2014, the NCO’s BEANS Youth Advocates gave an informational presentation about Rethink Your Drink to the Ukiah City Council. Also, the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Rethink Your Drink Working Group presented to the County Board of Supervisors. Awareness for the negative health impacts related to sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is growing.