The United States’ non-alcoholic beverage industry is valued at about $760 billion as of the end of 2022, with American adults consuming more than 340 calories in drinks every day.

Zippia

DO THE DEW!

Ask me today’s Daily Prompt question twenty years ago, and I am pretty sure I’d say my favorite drink was Mountain Dew, as I recall drinking two or three of them a day when at work! Being younger back then, I didn’t really think too deeply about the lack of nutritional value in the popular soda from the makers of Pepsi. I just loved the caffeine jolt and the sweet taste.

WHAT MADE ME NOT “DO THE DEW”?

During autumn, my employee benefits position takes me some years to benefit fairs with my clients, answering questions about a number of options available to them during the enrollment process. While at one of these fairs, I recall seeing a booth for Delta Dental featuring an excellent visual aid giving attendees an incentive to inquire about dental insurance.

There was a four-foot plastic base that had a number of drink bottles attached in a row, each filled with how many grams of sugar the drink contained. Coke was there. Coffee was there. Pepsi was there. Water was there.

THEN THERE WAS MOUNTAIN DEW

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE ME?

Being relatively young at the time, I didn’t really think much regarding the consequences of taking in that amount of sugar and empty calories on a daily basis. I’d always been pretty lean since college, and it wasn’t until I was in my 40’s that a number of things began to surface.

My cholesterol numbers began to show a distinct increase toward the dark side, my joints began to ache more than usual (obviously somewhat due to age), and most dramatically, the number on my bathroom scale began to get larger…year by year.

WONDER DRUGS!

Taking statins to control my cholesterol levels accomplished the goal, but over the years I’ve read articles about how long-term statins may cause an increase in dementia. Naturally, all the leading health organizations rushed to scuttle that notion, with Harvard Health noting that “over a follow-up period of almost five years, people who took statins weren’t any more likely than non-users to have dementia.”

That’s all well and good, but I’m left wondering how much money these organizations receive from big pharma, and although they purport to be unbiased, just the suggestion leaves the situation suspect in my mind.

My end goal is to move closer to the best line of defense against high cholesterol, namely diet and exercise.

THE ROAD TO HEALTHIER HYDRATION

My love affair with Mountain Dew slowly ebbed over the next decade, replaced oftentimes with ice-cold Coke, which of course is no better an option (does it really clean off rust on tools?).

About a year ago, I stepped on the scale again and saw a number I’d never seen before. The odd thing is I carried the weight well, so I didn’t get the feeling I was “fat” by any means. Seeing a number like that (without being a pro football player) was an epiphany for me.

I’d read about intermittent fasting but hadn’t ever had any luck staying the course. This time would be different. As I’ve recounted in other posts here on the site, I began using MyFitnessPal to track actually what I was eating (and drinking) and continued on my 3 days a week exercise program.

Suddenly, I was seeing a few pounds gone each week, culminating in a total loss of about 25 pounds over a number of months.

The drink that made the difference? Water.

BUT IS WATER REALLY MY ULTIMATE DRINK?

Hell, no! My intellect tells me it should be, but my taste and sweet tooth know better. There are those times however when a tall glass of clean, clear ice water hits the spot just right. I kind of think of water like air…we need it to survive.

WHAT IS MY ULTIMATE FAVORITE DRINK?

My favorite drink varies situationally I would say. What situations, you ask?

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A CLOSING THAT’S NOT TOO HARD TO SWALLOW

In wrapping up this seemingly simple prompt question, I would still admit that water should be the ultimate drink (I try to make it so), but there are many times where I crave flavor and there are many people and companies willing to cater to those cravings of mine.

What drink do you crave or consider your favorite? Leave me a comment and share (I might have to try it!).