July 10, 2025 The Beacon • 31

Hey Coshocton, it’ s your health educator Olivia Elson with the Coshocton Public Health District. Welcome to this week’ s segment of Public Health Matters. Summertime fun usually includes barbecues, outdoor fun and beach vacations. When spending long amounts of time in the hot sun, we tend to turn to cold treats like lemonade, sweet tea, Popsicles and ice cream. What we don’ t realize is how much this added sugar is affecting our overall health.

Sugar is a form of carbohydrate the body converts to glucose. When consumed in

After much political debate, Ohio’ s pig farmers are thanking Gov. Mike DeWine for signing the $ 90.5 billion 2026-27 operating budget into law.

“ Although the governor did veto some budget items, the priorities of Ohio’ s family pig farmers were all passed into law, allowing our members to rest a little easier knowing that their current and future livelihoods are better protected going forward,” said Cheryl Day, executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council.“ This was a hardfought win to ensure that Ohio’ s swine herd was better protected from foreign animal disease and also ensuring data privacy for our farms who use the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.”

moderation, it can provide your body with a source of fuel or energy. It’ s important to limit foods and drinks with high amounts of added sugar and choose foods with a more natural source of sugar. Fruits and vegetables, for example, are a great source of carbohydrates because they offer additional nutrients like vitamins, minerals and fiber to help our body function. Added sugars are popular in the processed food industry because they add taste, color, bulk and thickness. They also prevent mold from forming and act as a preservative. Refined( or processed) sugar provides a quick, simple source of energy but doesn’ t contain other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals— therefore results in a“ sugar crash.” Too much sugar in your diet can lead to major health problems like obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.

How can we increase our awareness about added

Specifically, the biennial budget approved dedicates funding for the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, keeping the state’ s diagnostic labs ready for emerging threats. In addition, $ 10 million is earmarked to combat the rural veterinary shortage in Ohio and to establish an emerging infectious disease center. Finally, the H2Ohio water-quality program will receive funding to allow for ongoing environmental stewardship needs.

“ We truly appreciate Gov. DeWine and Ohio’ s legislative leaders for recognizing the vital role pork producers play in our state’ s economy, food system and rural communities,” Day said.“ Their support ensures a stronger, safer and more resilient future for Ohio agriculture.”

sugar intake? It’ s simple— by reading the label! The nutrition facts will list the sugar by grams. Four grams equals 1 teaspoon. So, for example, 40 grams of sugar in a can of soda is equal to 10 teaspoons.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 teaspoons per day for men. So by having only one

BF-301851 can of pop per day, you’ ve already exceeded the recommended daily amount. Keep in mind sugar also has other names like cane sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, fructose and other words ending in ose.

Keep these tips in mind the next time you reach for a drink or something to eat:— Choose to fill your plate with whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains and unprocessed meats.— Shop around the outer walls of the grocery.

— Look for food that doesn’ t come in a box or package.

— Stick to water as much as possible.

— There are many sugar-free beverage options out there to choose from if you’ re needing a little something extra to quench your thirst.