Water Overtakes Soda???

I thought I was dreaming when I read this . . . but it’s true!  It’s official – American’s now drink more bottled water than soda!

Decades ago, when I owned 7-Eleven convenience stores the Coca-Cola distributor told me this day would come.  Honestly, I didn’t believe him as I watched customers fill Double Gulps (that’s 64 oz) with soda.  But, soda companies were quickly jumping into the water business in anticipation of the shift.  In fact, they considered water as the only competition.

I remember my father saying that no one would ever buy a bottle of water when you could get it free from a tap.  Then again, he didn’t think people would ever spend more than a dollar on coffee, so maybe he wasn’t a good source on consumer buying habits.

Interestingly though, the soda distributors knew what they were talking about.  Bottled water sales have been increasing in the United States since the 1970s.  As health concerns about sugary drinks, artificial sweeteners and the safety of public water grew so did the consumption of bottled water.

Americans drank 39.3 gallons per person in 2016 while carbonated drinks dropped to 38.5 gallons according to Beverage Marking Corporation, the industry tracker.  This is a historical switch.  And, truthfully, I’m excited to see it.  People drinking more water is good for their health.

How Much Should I Drink?

While I’m super excited that Americans are drinking more water than soda, overall they are still WAY below their hydration level unless they are consuming ALOT of tap water.  At 39 gallons per person that’s 13 oz of water per day.  Unless each of these people weight under 30 pounds – that’s not enough water.  And, of course, these figures are an average based on per capita – meaning many people are drinking even less water each day.

Let’s talk about my person water consumption goal as an example:

I shoot to consume 90 ounces of water per day.  In truth, on average, I accomplish about 65 ounces per day – let’s face it goals aren’t accomplishments even for me.  That’s 23,725 ounces per year or a little over 185 gallons.  Last year the average American consumed just over 39 gallons of water . . . that’s a far cry from my average of 185 gallons, let alone my goal of 256 gallons!  [feel free to let me know if my math skills are lacking anywhere].

Even with individual considerations, it still looks like Americans need to drink more water.

Discover Your Amount

Unsure how much water you should drink?  It really is individual.  Here’s how to find how much is right for you.

 

How is South Korea ahead?

Outside of Ultimate Beastmaster on Netflix I seldom think about South Korea.  Yea, yea, now you  know what I watch with my 11 year old son . . . and I frequently root for the South Korea contestants because not only are their commentators SO much fun, I’m in love with the dance they do at the end.

At the end of February most people in the health field were discussing South Korea as a new study was released showing life expectancy and it showed quite a bit about women’s health issues.

In 2015, global average life expectancy at birth was 71.4 years, according to the World Health Organization.  By 2030, the average for women at birth will exceed 85 years in many countries, but South Korea is projected to lead the way with a life expectancy of 90.8 years.

Among predictions for high-income countries, the lowest life expectancy at birth is likely to be in the US, with an average of 83.3 years for women and 79.5 years for men — similar to Mexico and Croatia.  REALLY?!?!?!

Our country’s life expectancy is on par with third world countries?!?!?!?!

[Feel free to enter your own political outrage here]

Women’s Health Shrinks

As a woman I’ve always heard that I should marry a man seven years younger (didn’t happen!) as that’s the average number of years for a women’s life expectancy over a man’s.  Interestingly this study the gap between men and women’s life expectancy is shrinking.  The assumption is that women have started living a more similar life to men – read here smoking, alcohol, obesity, sedentary lifestyle.  There are many areas that, as women, we could (and should) strive to be equal to men – bad health isn’t one of them!

Unfortunately these women’s health issues wasn’t surprising to me as 1 in 3 women are now dying from heart disease.  Moreover, according to the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women, about 80% of cardiac events can be prevented.

So why aren’t we paying attention?

Western Exports

The Japanese life expectancy will only have a slight increase and the assumption is because more young Japanese are not choosing traditionally diets in favor of the western diet.  The Standard American Diet is abbreviated SAD for a reason!  Women’s health issues will soon be worldwide.

South Korea Life Expectancy

According to the study, greater equality, more comprehensive health care and healthy diets and lifestyles embedded in a culture, such as with South Korea is what has brought South Korean women’s life expectancy to 90.8 by the year 2030.  That’s 7.5 years greater than US women.

Majid Ezzati, professor of global environmental health at Imperial College London, led the study believes the secret to South Korea’s success has been the country’s investment in childhood nutrition, education and technology as well as low blood pressure, low levels of smoking and good access to health care.

Let’s be honest . . . looks like we have a lot more to learn from South Korea than dancing Gangnam Style.