As the weather heats up, we tend to gobble up anything we can find to quench our thirst. You would step into the local corner store near you whenever you feel thirsty. In fact, as and when you get thirsty, you look to rehydrate yourself on a range of beverages.
But wait. Unhealthy drinks can lead you to a myriad of health issues. Some of them can include weight gain and chronic diseases. If you wish to avoid the long-term health effects, it is a good idea to quit the unhealthy drinks.
Unhealthful Drinks and its impact on health
Unhealthy drinks can have a detrimental impact on the overall health. These unhealthy drinks can contain a lot of sugar, artificial ingredients, and empty calories. These ingredients can lead to health issues such as weight gain, diabetes, cardiovascular problems, and metabolic disorders.
Consuming these drinks continuously can increase the risk of chronic diseases and negatively affect our energy levels, mood, and overall well-being.
Soda
Soda is invariably the worst and extremely unhealthy drink that you would ever consume. Both regular and diet sodas are considered unhealthy. Of course, the diet soda is marketed as having less calories, but it contains artificial sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners are linked to increased chances of stroke, dementia, and cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, regular soda comes with huge calories, sugar, and corn syrup. It has been linked with health issues like diabetes, heart disease, weak bones, obesity, and other weight-related conditions.
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Fruit Juices
Fruit Juices appear to be healthy and they are marketed as the best alternatives for carbonated beverages. But, the reality remains that they consist of a huge amount of sugar. In fact, they lack the fiber that you would get with a whole fruit.
One good example is that of Apple Juice. When made using low-quality apples, it can result in gastrointestinal or even neurological health issues. Instead of fruit juices, you can try natural spring water. You can also opt for fruit juices that do not have artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
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Arizona Green Tea
Non-sweetened green tea is the healthiest beverage you can opt for. It can be the best source of antioxidants and provides you a completely calorie-free energy. It is however not the case with Arizona Green tea.
The added sugar makes the absolutely healthy green tea into something that can be perfectly called poison. The high fructose corn syrup makes it the most unhealthy drink you would consume.
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Sweetened Tea
Bottled and canned sweetened tea consists of sugars and artificial flavors. It can result in health issues which include weight gain, dental issues, and a higher risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Another example is Bubble tea which can add up to 400 to 1000 calories to your day. this can be another reason for ruining your health. Instead of sweetened tea, you can look for options like Ginseng and Gingko in cold water.
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Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are typically high in caffeine and sugar. Most of the energy drinks have around 240 to 250 mg of caffeine. This should be equivalent to around 3 cups of coffee. Obviously, you aren’t consuming energy drinks for those coffee cups!
Too much energy drinks can result in health issues such as insomnia, jitters, and increased heart rate. In some cases, it can even result in high blood pressure and increased possibility of heart attacks and strokes.
Also read: https://quanutrition.com/blog/how-do-you-improve-stamina/
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Flavored water
Flavored water is yet another culprit and a worthy addition to the list of unhealthy drinks. Of course, adding a little fruit to your water can be an excellent option to help enhance the health effects of your water intake.
But, the flavored water adds much more than just the fruits. They do not have the natural fruit essence, but are actually loaded with chemicals. Before you consume any flavored water, make sure to check the labels. Avoid anything that contains sucralose, acesulfame potassium, corn syrup, and MSG.
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Sweet cocktails
Most of us tend to think that almost all alcoholic drinks are made alike. But, no. A good example is Sweet cocktails. They may taste great, but they are loaded with a lot of sugar. Combine that with alcohol and that makes it one of the most unhealthy among the beverages.
Sweet cocktails can increase the severity of your hangover in the morning. If you wish to consume alcohol, do it with the lowest calories. In any case, we recommend you limit your alcohol intake to 1 to 2 glasses a day.
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Milkshakes
Wondering how milk or any milk-based beverage can be unhealthy? Well, milk may be healthy, but milkshakes are not. They come loaded with sugar, fat, and calories. In fact, you can consider them a dessert disguised as a healthy beverage!
Regular consumption of milkshakes can cause several health issues which include obesity, high cholesterol levels, and an increased risk of heart disease. The combination of sugar and fat can cause insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
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Pre-packaged smoothies
Smoothies have been considered to be healthy. But, pre-packaged smoothies can be a huge concern. They consist of added sugars and artificial ingredients. This will defeat the very purpose of the smoothies.
The high sugar content can spike sugar levels and can also result in weight gain. However, if you are consuming smoothies made from whole fruits and vegetables it can be a good option.
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Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are often marketed as a way to replenish electrolytes and energy after physical activity. However, they contain high levels of sugar and artificial ingredients that can make them more harmful than beneficial, especially for those who are not engaging in intense exercise.
Also Read : https://quanutrition.com/blog/how-to-lose-weight-naturally-and-permanently/
In Conclusion
Well, the drinks you consume can have a powerful impact on your health – both positively and negatively. The best option to stay safe is to avoid any of the unhealthy beverages that we have listed above. It is always advisable to choose the options like water, herbal teas, and natural fruit-infused beverages.
Apart from that, choosing a good nutrition plan would be advisable to avoid unwanted complications in your health. If you are unsure of what plan you should go with, get in touch with QUA Nutrition for the best insights into the best strategy in your nutritional journey.
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