Chicago hospital group to drop sugar-sweetened drinks

Vanguard Health Chicago, which operates four hospitals in Cook County, is taking the next step: a phasing out of all "sugar-loaded beverages," including soda and sports and energy drinks, starting now. Over the course of this year, the hospital group hopes to refine its choices, eventually phasing out diet drinks and sweetened juices until it offers only unsweetened drinks or those that contain less than about a teaspoon of sugar per 12-ounce serving. The change comes at a time when the American obesity rate has hit an all-time high and certain foods, especially sugar-sweetened beverages, are coming under increased scrutiny for their role.