People interested in consuming a healthy diet may realize that it’s not only what you eat that affects your health- it’s also what you drink. Recent research has emerged rating the worst drinks for your health based on sugar and fat content. Here are the beverages you may consider eliminating from your diet.

Regular Soda

Soda should be avoided due to its high sugar content.  A 12-ounce can of soda contains 155 calories 147 of which are sugar calories. The beverage has been linked to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, gout, and bad dental health.

Cranberry Juice Cocktail

You may have heard of the many benefits of cranberry juice, particularly its ability to treat UTIs. But make sure the drink you are reaching for says 100% juice. Otherwise, you may be drinking a fruit drink that’s high in sugar that may even irritate the bladder.

Fruit Juice

You may be shocked to see fruit juice make this list. After all, it is made with fruit which is packed with vitamins and minerals.

Well, unfortunately, fruit is also high in sugar. When you eat fruit, digestion slows down the impact the sugar has on your system. But when you drink fruit juice, it hits your system immediately producing unhealthy effects.

Fruit juice also does not contain the fiber fruit does so it’s less satiating.

If you choose to drink fruit juice, choose a product made with fruits and vegetables. Consume it alongside fat and protein that keep blood sugar stable.

Alcohol

There is some evidence that alcohol can be good for mental health when drunk in moderation. And wine is packed with antioxidants. But drinking excessively can cause extensive damage to the body’s major organs. It also increases the risk of serious health conditions.

Flavored Dairy Beverages

Milk is a healthy drink that’s rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin D. But adding flavors means adding calories and sugar. A flavored dairy drink increases the risk of obesity which is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

Vitamin Water

Vitamins and water- what could go wrong? Well, the truth is, many vitamin water beverages contain added sugar which is harmful to health and increases calories. Look on the label of your drink to ensure the vitamin water you’re drinking is healthy.

Diet Soda

We already discussed the evils of regular soda. It’s high sugar and calorie content makes it harmful to health. But diet soda isn’t much better. Recent studies show that artificially sweetened beverages increase the risk of heart disease.

Sweetened Coffee Drinks

Many people flock to their local coffee shops for their lattes, cappuccinos, and Frappuccino. But many of these beverages are packed with sugar and unhealthy fats. You will be making your drink unhealthier by asking for whipped cream, caramel pumps, chocolate drizzles, and so on. Some coffeehouse drinks have as many calories as a meal, not to mention the fat and sugar content.

Now that you are aware of the unhealthy drinks that are out there, which will you be eliminating from your diet?