15 Jun An Underused Natural Resource in Oklahoma City
Do you know how to remove almost 50% of the added sugar from your diet? How about lowering your caloric intake by 20%? The answer is simple.
Drink more water.
In a March 2015 while presenting oral testimony to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Tamika Sims, PhD, then the Director of Science and Research for the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), applauded the USDA and the HHS’s recognition of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s statement that water plays a very important role in a healthy diet. However, the IBWA, believes that more should be done. Additional messaging about water consumption, including language that promotes drinking water in all types of containers, needs to be included in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines.
Sims explained that the consumption of water helps Oklahoma City residents pursue a healthy lifestyle and that water “plays a vital role in supporting nutritional health.” With 47% of added sugars in our diet coming from beverages and beverages making up 20% of our daily caloric intake, it’s Sims’ belief that “Americans need guidance on how to be more aware of what they drink and to reduce their calorie consumption of beverages.”
To help support her point, Sims presented the following points:
- Water is Essential—Drinking plain water in place of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a decrease in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
- Convenience is Key to Consumption—For Oklahoma City’s on-the-go consumers, convenience drives choice. Although the IBWA encourages supplying free water whenever possible, when it isn’t, “consumers should be encouraged to reach for bottled water instead of less healthy packaged beverages.”
- Bottled Water is Sustainable—At least it is more sustainable than other packaged beverages. Choosing water equals choosing less packaging, less energy consumption, and less use of natural resources.
While all of the previously mentioned points are important for Oklahoma City consumers, there is one thing that outranks them all. Everyone, young and old, needs to be hydrated to function optimally. According to the Mayo Clinic, men need to drink roughly 13 cups of beverages a day and women, 9 to stay properly hydrated. Unfortunately, nearly 75% of Americans are dehydrated.
Are you doing anything to ensure that your employees stay properly hydrated and functioning at their optimal level? If you aren’t sure about the answer to that question or are looking to improve your offerings, we can help with that. From vending solutions, micro-markets, and pantry service, Hayes 405 Refreshments has a way to increase water consumption while simultaneously improving health and performance levels. Call us at 405-495-8667 for more information.