When the summer heat hits, it’s tempting to reach for something cool and sweet — but many of the most popular summer drinks are loaded with excess sugar, artificial sweeteners, and harmful additives that can quietly damage your health and your waistline. Before you make your next beverage choice, it’s worth knowing what’s really in your glass.
Some of the worst offenders to avoid include:
- Soda (diet or regular) — contains phosphoric acid linked to osteoporosis and tooth softening, benzene (a known carcinogen), and aspartame, which has been associated with brain tumors, birth defects, Type II diabetes, and emotional disorders
- Beer — triggers uric acid production, which can lead to gout, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease
- Sweet teas and wine coolers — can contain up to 22% pure sugar, plus fruit juice, added sugar, and sometimes aspartame
- Iced coffees and frappés — some popular versions contain up to 100 grams of sugar, nearly 2.5 times the recommended daily adult intake
- Sports drinks — despite their reputation for restoring electrolytes, they are high in sugar, sodium, and high-fructose corn syrup, and are 30 times more erosive to teeth than water
The good news is that there are plenty of delicious, health-supportive alternatives to enjoy all summer long. Sparkling mineral water with lemon, lime, or cucumber is refreshing and sugar-free. Iced green tea sweetened with liquid stevia is a great antioxidant-rich option. Chilled organic red or white wine in moderation is a reasonable choice. And coconut water — sometimes called “dew from the heavens” — is naturally rich in electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants, with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties to boot. Your health and your waistline will thank you for making the switch!