HEALTHY DRINKS

We are all probably aware by now that soda pops are bad for you. That is outdated information. However, soda is not working alone out here. Many other beverages are disguised as healthful or innocuous, yet they are just as dangerous, if not worse.

Personally, I am annoyed at the way these corporations have been deceiving us with beverages that are advertised as healthy but are really packed with unhealthy ingredients. These beverages are undermining our efforts to maintain our health.

I looked into these beverages because of the cocktails listed below, #2 and #3. I was astonished to see what was in those beverages. And the fact that I was drinking them nonstop like there was no tomorrow just infuriated me!

What I discovered throughout my investigation is as follows:

1. Gatorade: Avoid It Unless You are Running Laps

Gatorade is not for you sitting on the sofa or heading to your vehicle; it is for athletes who are sweating profusely on the field. It contains a lot of dextrose and sugar. These additional sugars have the potential to cause major health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, and bodily fluid accumulation.

A 20-ounce bottle of Gatorade has 36 grams of sugar! That amounts to around 8.5 teaspoons. Additionally, the sugar in these drinks causes your blood sugar to spike, which leads to a crash and weight gain.

So do yourself a favor and drink plain water if you are not aiming to break any sports records or run marathons. Colored sugar water is what Gatorade is. Additionally, choosing low-sugar or zero-sugar choices is not a good idea since artificial sweeteners are also unhealthy.

2. Gatorade's shady cousin, Powerade

Powerade is worse than Gatorade. High fructose corn syrup is included in this one. And that stuff is serious, I assure you. It has been connected to cardiac issues, diabetes, fatty liver, and obesity. Additionally, do not be duped by the phony vitamins listed on the packaging. Still, drinking this stuff is a horrible idea.

I became irate when I discovered that Powerade was pulling me down rather than lifting me up. I was drinking a lot of red Powerade every week since I like it!

3. Vitamin Water: Is It a Bottle of Health? Not at all.

This one really got to me. I first thought it would be healthy, therefore I did not even bother to read the ingredients. I then casually chose to study the chemicals listed on the label of my vitamin water one day. I was curious to discover how many beneficial vitamins I was receiving.

However, did not Vitamin Water make a serious attempt at the name? "Vitamin" gives you the impression that it is healthy, which is what I believed. It is more than simply water with vitamins, however. It contains crystalline fructose as well.

I did some research on it, and it is not good. Liquid sugar is just another name for sugar, but it is worse. It is detrimental to the liver! You can not survive without a liver, as far as I am aware.

4. Energy Drinks: Dangerous Overabundance of Caffeine

Let us chat about energy-boosting beverages like Red Bull, Monster, and 5-Hour Energy. While they are out here offering you wings, they are really making you feel anxious.

These beverages include excessive amounts of sugar and caffeine, which may lead to a number of problems, including elevated blood pressure, anxiety, cardiac problems, and sleep disruptions.

Not to mention how highly addicting energy drinks are. Listen, take a sleep if you are exhausted. These beverages are putting you at risk for major health issues and a crash.

5. Bottled Smoothies: A Covert Form of Sugar Milk

Let us talk about bottle-based smoothies. "Oh, this must be healthy," you think when you see "smoothie." Not at all. Along with a host of additional artificial components, many of these packaged smoothies are laden with added sugar, carbohydrates, and salt.

Make your own smoothies if you really want to live that lifestyle. It is good for you. The only ingredients in these packaged smoothies are sugar, salt, and chemicals.

6. Shakes with Protein – They Just Do Too Much

You probably do not need a protein drink unless you are a professional bodybuilder. Regular eating may provide you with enough protein. There is more to protein shakes than simply protein. They include a lot of preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and sometimes even heavy metals. Heavy metals, indeed! Is that what you really desire in your body?

Overconsumption of protein may potentially harm the kidneys. I have firsthand experience with this. To gain more muscle, I used to consume protein smoothies and powders, but this caused problems for my kidneys. My kidneys were damaged by the extra protein they were unable to filter out, so I began leaking protein into my urine. I needed to visit a nephrologist.

Thankfully, I had not caused any irreversible harm, and with medical attention and therapy, my kidneys recovered. However, it took a long time—six months. I was terrified. I am never going to drink this again. For protein demands, real food is the best option.

7. V8: Too Salted to Be Good for You

V8 is basically salt in a can, even if it can seem like a clever method to get your vegetables. There are more than 600 mg of salt in one meal! In a single sitting, it is more than your body requires. The American Heart Association advises consuming no more than 1,500 mg of salt per day. However, it is undoubtedly harmful to consume over half of it in a single drink. Heart disease and excessive blood pressure may result from consuming too much salt.

Eat vegetables or prepare your own veggie smoothie if you want to. You should not assume that V8 is a shortcut.

8. The Overrated Hype of Coconut Water

Though it was not all that, coconut water did have its day. People obviously like it, however I find the flavor to be terrible. It contains potassium, which is beneficial in moderation but may damage your heart, kidneys, and muscles if you consume too much of it.

It is okay to have a little coconut water sometimes. But it is not healthy to drink it like ordinary water. You are inviting problems.

9. Chocolate Milk: An Unhealthy Favorite of Childhood

Chocolate milk may bring back childhood memories, but let us not deny the reality. It contains a lot of saturated fat and added sugar. You may think it tastes wonderful, but your body is not benefiting from it.

About 24g of sugar and more than 8g of saturated fat are included in one cup, which increases the risk of obesity and other chronic illnesses.

10. Store-purchased Fruit Juices: They are Not What They Seem

Fruit juice from the store is not as healthful as you may believe. It is high in preservatives, high in sugar, and low in fiber. If you overdo it, even the "100% juice" stuff might be harmful to your health.

I came across a lady on TikTok who claimed to be consuming a gallon of orange juice every day because she believed it to be healthful. You know what? She eventually had esophageal damage, acid reflux, and jacked-up teeth. That amount of sugar and acid will make you cry!

Squeeze the fruit yourself to get juice. At least you will be aware of its contents. Even better, consume the whole fruit to provide your body with the necessary fiber. Consuming bottled juices, however, may lead to health issues such as acid reflux, dental decay, heartburn, stomach ulcers, kidney stones, elevated blood sugar, and weight gain.

The Takeaway

You see, many do not assume these beverages are where they are. They may seem healthy at first glance, but they are loaded with unnecessary substances that your body does not need, such as excessive amounts of sugar, chemicals, caffeine, salt, and fat.

Keep things simple if you want to maintain your health. Your best buddy is water. Additionally, homemade smoothies, fresh juices, and herbal teas are much superior.

I no longer allow clever marketing to deceive me into consuming a beverage that is really hurting me. I make better decisions because I read all the labels. I take care of my body as if it were important.