It seems to me many in the under-30 generation might be the thirstiest Americans in our nation’s history.
If the World War II-era of American’s was the nation’s “greatest” as many believe, then the current crop of young Americans might one day be labeled America’s most hydrated, based on direct but unscientific observations I made while working at a public high school and a public library.
The young people I see at both sites typically carry containers of water with them throughout the day. Some carry 12-ounce plastic bottles, others walk with 32-ounce containers of various design. And some haul gallon-size jugs of water. I regularly see one library patron with a gallon-size container she fills and empties twice in a five-hour period.
I’m not being critical of the practice. If you’re thirsty, drink. Better to drink water than soda or a sugary sports drink. And that’s just what Americans are doing, according to a Reuter’s report from earlier this year, which stated Americans consumed more bottled water than soda in 2016, about one million more gallons than soda, a first for U.S. consumers.
So if younger Americans want water, I’m fine with that, but I am amazed anyone can consume as much as a gallon or two of water in one day. If I drank a gallon of water each day, I’d put serious stress on my digestive track and would spend most of the day visiting the bathroom.
I am a bit concerned about the amount of water many young people carry with them each day. Looking at the size of the containers some carry around, you’d think they were hiking across isolated terrain, remote from any source of safe water. The exact opposite is the case. The library and the school each have water coolers available in many locations. The library’s water coolers even include a station that allows individuals to refill their personal water containers.
I’m probably making more of this than necessary. If parents, educators and health experts aren’t concerned about the amount of water young people carry around and consume each day, why should I be worked up, right? I just wonder how much water this generation will consume over the next 20 years, and how exactly will this generation react if their water supply is ever disrupted?
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Kevin Botterman
