SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Margot Sanger-Katz reports in the NYT that soda consumption is experiencing a serious and sustained decline as sales of full-calorie soda in the United States have plummeted by more than 25 percent over the past twenty years. Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they are actively trying to avoid the drinks that have been a mainstay of American culture and bottled water is now on track to overtake soda as the largest beverage category in two years. The changing patterns of soda drinking appear to come thanks, in part, to a loud campaign to eradicate sodas. School cafeterias and vending machines no longer contain regular sodas. Many workplaces and government offices have similarly prohibited their sale.
For many public health advocates, soda has become the new tobacco — a toxic product to be banned, taxed and stigmatized. "There will always be soda, but I think the era of it being acceptable for kids to drink soda all day long is passing, slowly," says Marion Nestle. "In some socioeconomic groups, it's over." Soda represents nearly 25% of the U.S. beverage market and its massive scale have guaranteed profit margins for decades. Historically, beverage preferences are set in adolescence, the first time that most people begin choosing and buying a favorite brand. But the declines in soda drinking appear to be sharpest among young Americans. "Kids these days are growing up with all of these other options, and there are some parents who say, 'I really want my kids to drink juice or a bottled water,' " says Gary A. Hemphill. "If kids grow up without carbonated soft drinks, the likelihood that they are going to grow up and, when they are 35, start drinking is very low."
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday October 04 2015, @03:40PM
When I was at CERN the Europeans all thought I was insane for drinking tap water.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 2, Funny) by Justin Case on Sunday October 04 2015, @03:46PM
Whenever Europeans think I'm insane, I know I'm very likely on the right track.
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday October 04 2015, @04:40PM
- woman went hiking in the mountains. The American soon drank up all his water; the Europeans brought none. Eventually they happened upon a cafe that was kept supplied with a four-wheel drive but had nothing to drink; they shared a single giant omelet and a variety of stinky cheese.
Eventually we happened upon some firefighting water. I lapsed behind on some pretense then gulped it down.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 04 2015, @04:10PM
Some of us worry about contaminants introduced between the reservoir and the faucet or drinking fountain, especially in older buildings, which is why bottled water vendors do such a good business.
From here: [oxfordjournals.org]
If treatment is not optimized, unwanted residues of chemicals used in water treatment can also cause contamination, and give rise to sediments in water pipes. Contamination during water distribution may arise from materials such as iron, which can corrode to release iron oxides, or from ingress of pollutants into the distribution system. Diffusion through plastic pipes can occur, for example when oil is spilt on the surrounding soil, giving rise to taste and odour problems. Contamination can also take place in consumers’ premises from materials used in plumbing, such as lead or copper, or from the back-flow of liquids into the distribution system as a consequence of improper connections. Such contaminants can be either chemical or microbiological.
(Score: 2) by MichaelDavidCrawford on Sunday October 04 2015, @04:37PM
- Wars.
All the bullets in the ground, see.
Iron Oxide is not likely to be a problem but reduced iron is profoundly toxic. It's also a vital nutrient but you require very very little of it.
Yes I Have No Bananas. [gofundme.com]