The British Medical Association has strongly recommended that a 20% tax be levied against sugary carbonated drinks in an effort to get people, especially children, to drink healthier drinks like water.
The British Medical Association has taken this stance due to the ever-increasing British waistline which is getting bigger by the year. It is estimated that at least 30% of the UK will be obese by 2030, which is not that far away, so something had better be done about it.
According to the BMA, the culprit is the sheer volume of sugar consumed, including that contained in sugary and carbonated drinks, which are loaded with calories and stacks of sugar. They are convinced that if the price is increased b an additional 20%, it will encourage individuals to find more healthy drink options.
A recent BBC programme highlighted the issue of obesity in children in the UK. The content was very clear in that sugary drinks need to be replaced with drinking more water or the UK will not only face an obesity problem but also other health problems in the very near future.
While there are some that would like to call for an outright ban on these products, common sense prevails, and it has been suggested that no more than 11% of an individual’s total calorie intake should consist of sugary foods. This is even more important for children, because there is a grave danger of them developing early onset obesity and diabetes.
Now is time to look at our drinking habits as far as hydration is concerned. The water in the UK is very safe to drink, so more of us should ensure that we drink water more regularly throughout the day in order to stay hydrated and healthy.
If you are worried about the tap water in your area for some or other reason, it might be a good idea to invest in a water cooler with a filter. Mains or point-of-use water coolers have become very popular because they are plumbed directly into your main water line, and offer 24/7 access to great, chilled water. Some models even offer cold, ambient and hot water options.
