Healthy and Unhealthy Drinks: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
What we drink has just as much of an impact on our health as what we eat. Healthy drinks can help to hydrate us and can be a great source of nutrients. Unhealthy drinks can often be a source of hidden calories, while possessing very little nutritional value. This post delves into the good, the bad and the ugly so that you know exactly what you should be drinking more and less of.
The Good
Water
Water is the healthiest drink you can consume. Every organ in the body performs better when you drink enough water. Water also helps to actively clean your teeth and gut. It’s also the only drink that you can consume in large quantities without any negative side effects.
Coffee
Coffee gets a bad rep due to its caffeine content. But, If you drink it in moderation, it can actually be quite healthy. Coffee is packed full of antioxidants. Choose filtered coffee where possible and avoid adding creams. sugar and syrups (your average Starbucks caramel latte is definitely not healthy).
Tea
Tea is another healthy drink. Studies show that tea can boost the immune system due to its polyphenols. While it contains caffeine, the levels are relatively low compared to coffee, making it rarely a danger. For truly healthy tea, avoid adding sugar.
The Bad
Energy drinks
Energy drinks are the most unhealthy drink you can put in your body. They are packed full of sugar that will rot your teeth and cause you to pile on the pounds. Due to their excess amounts of caffeine, drinking more than one energy drink per day can put serious stress on the heart. They tend to also contain various other chemicals that the body cannot process properly. Avoid where possible.
Soda
Regular soda drink consumption is believed to be one of the biggest culprits behind tooth decay, obesity and type-2 diabetes. Although not as unhealthy as energy drinks, soda drinks are packed full of sugar (the average can of coke contains more sugar than your recommended daily allowance). Zero-sugar soda drinks aren’t much better as they tend to be packed with artificial sweeteners that the body finds hard to process. Avoid these drinks.
Spirits
Spirits have very high levels of alcohol. Those that drink large amounts of spirits regularly are much more likely to develop kidney or liver disease. Most people don’t drink spirits straight, however this usually involves mixing them with soda drinks or energy drinks. All in all, try to limit these drinks too.
The Ugly
Fruit juice
Fruit juice often contains a lot of sugar, however it can contain a lot of nutrients giving it some health benefits. Freshly-squeezed juice is obviously the healthiest option - if you haven’t got a juicer and you love juice, it could be worth checking out 5 of the best juicers here. Make sure if you are juicing just fruit - that you keep in mind that it is a lot of sugar and only have a small amount (no more than 1/2 to 1 cup at a time). Tip: Cut your sugar by adding non-starchy veggies like organic kale or spinach and add chia seeds or MCT oil for some added healthy fats.
Beer & wine
Too much beer and wine is definitely not good for you - not just because of the alcohol content, but also the calorie content. However, wine does contain some healthy nutrients. The type of wine though does matter. Red wine has more antioxidant properties, but domestic red grapes are very high in pesticides. Wine also contains sulfites, which can trigger headaches in some individuals. Look for an organic wine or international wines if you want to steer clear of the extra chemicals in your glass.
