Before you make your way to the local liquor store or decide to indulge in a refreshing beverage at your go-to coffee shop or restaurant, it's worth pausing for a moment.
Take a moment to think about the potential additives and hidden sugars that might be concealed within your beloved drink choices. Experts say some beverages that people consume on a regular basis have been causing them irreversible harm. Find out more about these drinks.
Several nutrition experts gave insights into the kinds of drinks that are best to steer clear of if prioritising your health is your primary goal.?
Drawing upon her expertise, Kylie Ivanir, a distinguished New York-based registered dietitian who spearheads her own private practice known as Within Nutrition, generously shared her invaluable insights. Alongside Ivanir, Amy Gorin from Connecticut and Jinan Banna from the University of Hawaii also shared their knowledge on the matter.
The nutritionists advised people to stay away from following beverages ¨C energy and pre-workout drinks, sweet alcoholic cocktails, traditional soda, iced tea, drinks containing agave nectar, juice ¡°cocktails¡±, artificially sweetened drinks, frappuccinos, and frozen lattes.
According to Kylie Ivanir, pre-workout beverages and energy drinks, owing to their surplus caffeine and stimulant content, have the potential to trigger elevated blood pressure, heightened stress levels, and disrupt sleep patterns.
She added, ¡°Other side effects of excess stimulants found in pre-workout and energy drinks are headaches and nausea.¡±
Besides energy drinks, the nutritionist highlighted that the combination of alcohol and fructose syrup, occasionally present in cocktails, can pose a risk to the liver, the very organ responsible for processing these substances.
Dietician Jinan Banna pointed out that iced tea not only contains added sugar but also that bottled or commercially prepared teas could harbor as much sugar as conventional soda beverages.
The artificial sweeteners and flavors found in energy drinks can disrupt both gut health and brain function, as emphasised by Kylie Ivanir. In place of pre-workout or energy drinks, Ivanir suggests considering alternatives such as coffee or matcha tea, which can offer a more balanced and health-conscious source of energy.
Ivanir added that sweetened alcoholic drinks harm our bodies too. She explained, ¡°As a consequence, we can¡¯t detox as well, and we also end up storing that excess fructose as fat. This can then cause a rise in triglycerides, a harmful blood lipid ¡ª and is one of the causes of a fatty liver.¡±
In place of sodas, expert Amy Gorin said, ¡°I recommend instead opting for seltzer or sparkling water and adding a squeeze of lime, lemon or orange juice for flavor.¡±
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