With 75% of Americans chronically dehydrated, perStatPearls, it’s clear that many of us can benefit from adding an extra drink (or two) into our day. But while we may know that opting for sugary drinks made with artificial ingredients is not the best choice, we may struggle to determine whether other options fit into a healthy lifestyle.If you are wondering whether drinks that sound “bad” might actually offer some unique health benefits, keep reading to learn which choices made our list.EatingWellPictured Recipe:Healthy Hot Chocolate1. 100% Pomegranate JuicePomegranate juice is naturally sweet, and while many options on the market have added sugar, you can find ones without it. One unique feature of 100% pomegranate juice is that itcontains antioxidantsthat help fight free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to your body over time when you are excessively exposed to them. According to theUSDA, one 8-ounce serving of POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice has as much potassium as a small banana, highlighting just how nutritious this delicious drink is. And while you’ll see grams of total sugars, those arenaturally occurring fruit sugars rather than added sugars.2. Prebiotic SodaOne can ofregular sodacan have as much as 39 grams of sugar, which exceeds the maximum that theAmerican Heart Associationrecommends adults consume in an entire day! Plus, that classic sugary drink lacks nutrients, such as fiber, protein and micronutrients.However, some sodas provide the same pleasing effervescence and sweet taste but with far fewer calories and sugar.Olipop Vintage Colacontains only 2 grams of sugar and boasts a whopping 9 grams of fiber (32% Daily Value). Since most Americans don’t eat nearly enough fiber every day, per theAmerican Society for Nutrition, including this soda could help people meet their needs and keep their gut healthy. The fiber provided in Olipop is asource of prebiotics, so drinking this may help fuel the live probiotics that reside in your gut. That being said, eating the recommended amount of fruits and veggies is one of the most nutritious ways to ensure fiber intake.What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Soda Every Day3. 100% Orange JuiceAs long as you pick 100% orange juice and not an orange-flavored drink made with added sugars, you can expect toreap some great health benefitswhen you drink this classic beverage. Pure orange juice contains vitamin C to help support immune health and is a natural source of folate, thiamin and potassium.Also, 100% orange juice has a plant compound called hesperidin. Data shows that consumption of hesperidin may be linked to reduced inflammation and blood pressure, per a 2021 study in theEuropean Journal of Nutrition.4. CoffeeCoffee may be considered a “bad” drink in some circles. And while it is true that a double-grande frappuccino made with added sugar, cream and other similar ingredients isn’t the most nutritious choice, a cup of black coffee is not only A-OK to drink for most people, but also may actuallyoffer some impressive benefits, like a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, increased alertness and better productivity.How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? Here’s What a Dietitian Has to Say5. Hot CocoaEnjoying a cozy cup of warm milk and cocoa may sound unhealthy to some, but it’s a surprising nutritional powerhouse combo. Milk ispacked with bone-health-supporting nutrientsand satiating protein. And according to a 2022 review inFoods, cocoa is rich in polyphenol antioxidants and may help reduce blood pressure. When whipping up a cup of cocoa, just make sure you aren’t adding too much sugar or overdoing it on the sweet goodies, like marshmallows or peppermint candies.The Bottom LineDrinking plenty of fluids daily can help keep your memory sharp andsupport your weight-management goals, and may help keep headaches at bay. And while drinking plain old H2O, fancy infused water orsparkling wateris the best way to stay hydrated, sometimes a little beverage variety is just what the doctor ordered. Choosing super-sugary or high-fat drinks is not the most nutritious way to support your hydration status. However, some surprising beverages may sound like bad choices but actually can be great additions to a balanced and healthy diet. From certain 100% fruit juices to a cozy mug of cocoa, many drinks pack a punch in the nutrition department and offer some impressive health benefits.What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Drink Enough WaterWas this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
With 75% of Americans chronically dehydrated, perStatPearls, it’s clear that many of us can benefit from adding an extra drink (or two) into our day. But while we may know that opting for sugary drinks made with artificial ingredients is not the best choice, we may struggle to determine whether other options fit into a healthy lifestyle.If you are wondering whether drinks that sound “bad” might actually offer some unique health benefits, keep reading to learn which choices made our list.EatingWellPictured Recipe:Healthy Hot Chocolate1. 100% Pomegranate JuicePomegranate juice is naturally sweet, and while many options on the market have added sugar, you can find ones without it. One unique feature of 100% pomegranate juice is that itcontains antioxidantsthat help fight free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to your body over time when you are excessively exposed to them. According to theUSDA, one 8-ounce serving of POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice has as much potassium as a small banana, highlighting just how nutritious this delicious drink is. And while you’ll see grams of total sugars, those arenaturally occurring fruit sugars rather than added sugars.2. Prebiotic SodaOne can ofregular sodacan have as much as 39 grams of sugar, which exceeds the maximum that theAmerican Heart Associationrecommends adults consume in an entire day! Plus, that classic sugary drink lacks nutrients, such as fiber, protein and micronutrients.However, some sodas provide the same pleasing effervescence and sweet taste but with far fewer calories and sugar.Olipop Vintage Colacontains only 2 grams of sugar and boasts a whopping 9 grams of fiber (32% Daily Value). Since most Americans don’t eat nearly enough fiber every day, per theAmerican Society for Nutrition, including this soda could help people meet their needs and keep their gut healthy. The fiber provided in Olipop is asource of prebiotics, so drinking this may help fuel the live probiotics that reside in your gut. That being said, eating the recommended amount of fruits and veggies is one of the most nutritious ways to ensure fiber intake.What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Soda Every Day3. 100% Orange JuiceAs long as you pick 100% orange juice and not an orange-flavored drink made with added sugars, you can expect toreap some great health benefitswhen you drink this classic beverage. Pure orange juice contains vitamin C to help support immune health and is a natural source of folate, thiamin and potassium.Also, 100% orange juice has a plant compound called hesperidin. Data shows that consumption of hesperidin may be linked to reduced inflammation and blood pressure, per a 2021 study in theEuropean Journal of Nutrition.4. CoffeeCoffee may be considered a “bad” drink in some circles. And while it is true that a double-grande frappuccino made with added sugar, cream and other similar ingredients isn’t the most nutritious choice, a cup of black coffee is not only A-OK to drink for most people, but also may actuallyoffer some impressive benefits, like a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, increased alertness and better productivity.How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? Here’s What a Dietitian Has to Say5. Hot CocoaEnjoying a cozy cup of warm milk and cocoa may sound unhealthy to some, but it’s a surprising nutritional powerhouse combo. Milk ispacked with bone-health-supporting nutrientsand satiating protein. And according to a 2022 review inFoods, cocoa is rich in polyphenol antioxidants and may help reduce blood pressure. When whipping up a cup of cocoa, just make sure you aren’t adding too much sugar or overdoing it on the sweet goodies, like marshmallows or peppermint candies.The Bottom LineDrinking plenty of fluids daily can help keep your memory sharp andsupport your weight-management goals, and may help keep headaches at bay. And while drinking plain old H2O, fancy infused water orsparkling wateris the best way to stay hydrated, sometimes a little beverage variety is just what the doctor ordered. Choosing super-sugary or high-fat drinks is not the most nutritious way to support your hydration status. However, some surprising beverages may sound like bad choices but actually can be great additions to a balanced and healthy diet. From certain 100% fruit juices to a cozy mug of cocoa, many drinks pack a punch in the nutrition department and offer some impressive health benefits.What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Drink Enough Water
With 75% of Americans chronically dehydrated, perStatPearls, it’s clear that many of us can benefit from adding an extra drink (or two) into our day. But while we may know that opting for sugary drinks made with artificial ingredients is not the best choice, we may struggle to determine whether other options fit into a healthy lifestyle.
If you are wondering whether drinks that sound “bad” might actually offer some unique health benefits, keep reading to learn which choices made our list.
EatingWell
Pictured Recipe:Healthy Hot Chocolate
1. 100% Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is naturally sweet, and while many options on the market have added sugar, you can find ones without it. One unique feature of 100% pomegranate juice is that itcontains antioxidantsthat help fight free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to your body over time when you are excessively exposed to them. According to theUSDA, one 8-ounce serving of POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice has as much potassium as a small banana, highlighting just how nutritious this delicious drink is. And while you’ll see grams of total sugars, those arenaturally occurring fruit sugars rather than added sugars.
2. Prebiotic Soda
One can ofregular sodacan have as much as 39 grams of sugar, which exceeds the maximum that theAmerican Heart Associationrecommends adults consume in an entire day! Plus, that classic sugary drink lacks nutrients, such as fiber, protein and micronutrients.
However, some sodas provide the same pleasing effervescence and sweet taste but with far fewer calories and sugar.Olipop Vintage Colacontains only 2 grams of sugar and boasts a whopping 9 grams of fiber (32% Daily Value). Since most Americans don’t eat nearly enough fiber every day, per theAmerican Society for Nutrition, including this soda could help people meet their needs and keep their gut healthy. The fiber provided in Olipop is asource of prebiotics, so drinking this may help fuel the live probiotics that reside in your gut. That being said, eating the recommended amount of fruits and veggies is one of the most nutritious ways to ensure fiber intake.
What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Soda Every Day
3. 100% Orange Juice
As long as you pick 100% orange juice and not an orange-flavored drink made with added sugars, you can expect toreap some great health benefitswhen you drink this classic beverage. Pure orange juice contains vitamin C to help support immune health and is a natural source of folate, thiamin and potassium.
Also, 100% orange juice has a plant compound called hesperidin. Data shows that consumption of hesperidin may be linked to reduced inflammation and blood pressure, per a 2021 study in theEuropean Journal of Nutrition.
4. Coffee
Coffee may be considered a “bad” drink in some circles. And while it is true that a double-grande frappuccino made with added sugar, cream and other similar ingredients isn’t the most nutritious choice, a cup of black coffee is not only A-OK to drink for most people, but also may actuallyoffer some impressive benefits, like a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, increased alertness and better productivity.
How Much Caffeine Is Too Much? Here’s What a Dietitian Has to Say
5. Hot Cocoa
Enjoying a cozy cup of warm milk and cocoa may sound unhealthy to some, but it’s a surprising nutritional powerhouse combo. Milk ispacked with bone-health-supporting nutrientsand satiating protein. And according to a 2022 review inFoods, cocoa is rich in polyphenol antioxidants and may help reduce blood pressure. When whipping up a cup of cocoa, just make sure you aren’t adding too much sugar or overdoing it on the sweet goodies, like marshmallows or peppermint candies.
The Bottom Line
Drinking plenty of fluids daily can help keep your memory sharp andsupport your weight-management goals, and may help keep headaches at bay. And while drinking plain old H2O, fancy infused water orsparkling wateris the best way to stay hydrated, sometimes a little beverage variety is just what the doctor ordered. Choosing super-sugary or high-fat drinks is not the most nutritious way to support your hydration status. However, some surprising beverages may sound like bad choices but actually can be great additions to a balanced and healthy diet. From certain 100% fruit juices to a cozy mug of cocoa, many drinks pack a punch in the nutrition department and offer some impressive health benefits.
What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Drink Enough Water
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
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