KX NEWS

43% of North Dakotans’ fluid intake is caffeine and alcohol

BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — We all have our favorite drinks that keep us energized, on the move, or happy. To fight sleepiness at work, for unwinding after it, during celebrations with friends, or being used to power through late-night gaming sessions, we often turn to beverages like beer, coffee, cola, and energy drinks for the different kinds of buzz we need and enjoy.

Whether it’s caffeine or alcohol, many people look forward to a morning coffee and a nightcap with dinner — and with America being home to over 120,000 bars and coffee shops, it’s clear that this isn’t a trend that will die anytime soon. However, this drink dependency can do more harm than good.

The more dangerous side of these beverages is one that has caught the attention of nutrition site Drug Genius — which put forward a study to determine exactly how much of America’s fluid intake consists of these two deceptively delicious drinks.

Overall, the survey — consisting of 4,000 respondents in the USA — found that the average person in the US’s daily fluid intake is 30% alcohol and caffeine. Here in North Dakota, it’s even worse, with 43% of ours consisting solely of the two. While booze has always been a staple of our culture, the overwhelming popularity of coffee shops and coffee bars over recent years has only furthered the increased intake.

This isn’t to say that the craze is entirely bad: there are plenty of studies that show the numerous health benefits of coffee, and even a few that argue for the benefits of alcohol from time to time. Even so, they need to be used sparingly, as consuming too much of either can have serious negative effects, including higher risks of addiction, anxiety, and dehydration.

When it comes to the entire United States and addictive drinks, a few trends in the survey were noted that show our lean towards them goes beyond just an acquired taste.

While it’s okay to continue your consumption of these drinks from time to time, if you’re concerned about some of these study results, you might want to try a different way to get your fix. While finding a substitute for alcohol is difficult, Drug Genius offers up these three items as replacements for your morning cup of joe.

To view the full study, visit this page.