Panel suggests limiting soft drinks

Did you know that there is a Beverage Guidance Panel? I laughed out loud when I came across their existence. Are you kidding me? Are we at the point where we need a panel of experts to guide us as a society through our beverage consumption? And we wonder why so many worthwhile programs and social initiatives are underfunded. Just the same, there is a Beverage Guidance Panel, and their "guidance system for beverage consumption" (I swear to you, that is exactly what it's called) emphasizes that people should limit their intake of sweetened drinks such as sodas, juice drinks, and energy drinks to 8-ounces per day.

Yes, I find it ridiculous that there was a public proclamation made by a formed panel of beverage experts. And yes, I also find it even more ridiculous that these people actually get paid for making beverage-based proclamations. But, make no mistake about it, these people are absolutely right in what they are saying.

Obesity rates are climbing steadily, and are doing so in accordance with the connected rise in sugar consumption. Also known as soda. Also known as artificially sweetened fruit juice. And also known as Gatorade, PowerAde, and Anti-Beverage Guidance PanelAde. Fine, so the last one I made-up. Still, people -- especially youths -- are consuming more and more of these soft drinks and, consequently, there has also been a rise in the number people developing Type 2 diabetes. As a matter of fact, researchers at Harvard University found that women who drank one or more sugar-sweetened soft drinks per day were 83 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who avoided sugar-sweetened drinks altogether. And you know that must be true, because people at Harvard are wicked smaaht.

If there is a point to my ramblings, it's that it is about time people started to realize how harmful soda and drinks like it truly are. If you have a sweet tooth, try satisfying it with more natural sources of sugar, such as those found in fruits. But, knowing that even natural sugars can sometimes be a bit tricky, perhaps add some cinnamon, nutmeg or other spices to some of your favorite dishes. Do it for your health. Do it for those you care for and for those who care for you. And do it for the Beverage Guidance Panel -- because let's face it, without a "guidance system for beverage consumption," we'd all be haphazardly pouring drinks over our heads.