What is the unhealthiest drink ever?

6 Carbonated Drinks Doctors Say No One Should Be Buying Anymore Because They’re ‘Damaging To Your Health’

Most of us know that we should be drinking water in lieu of fruit juices and soda, but many don’t know the nuances, health-wise, between all the carbonated drinks on the market.

“Sodas contain many chemicals, acids, and salts that can be very damaging to your health,” family physician Dr. Waqas Ahmad Buttar of Sachet Infusions explains.

We spoke to leading health experts and asked them what carbonated drinks are worse than Coke when it comes to a healthy diet. Here are their answers:

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Seltzer

Registered dietitian Trista Best of Balance One Supplements: «Carbonated beverages can serve a great purpose in your health, but the variety chosen should be considered carefully,» she warns. «Some seltzer or carbonated waters contain chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroakyl substances (PFAS). Many popular brands contain these chemicals which also go by the name as forever chemicals. The EPA allows for 70 parts per trillion (ppt’s), but each state can set their own standards with some as low as 12 ppt, with some experts calling for less than 1 ppt to be acceptable. They are man-made compounds with side effects that are continuing to be uncovered.”

Diet Soda

Nutritionist Lisa Richards of The Candida Diet: «Many turn to diet sodas to reduce their calorie intake and thereby, hopefully, lead to weight loss. Unfortunately, these drinks can often lead to unwanted bloating, negating any weight loss that may occur,» she explains.

«Carbonation is known to lead to bloating, but diet sodas contain another component that leads to bloating; artificial sweeteners. Sucralose is the most common culprit of gas and bloating. Sucralose causes gastrointestinal irritation and bloating along with reducing the healthy gut bacteria. This bacteria helps to prevent bloating by improving overall gut health. Another side effect of artificial sweeteners is the likelihood that the consumer will overeat in the following meal. Artificial sweeteners are linked to overeating, another act that causes bloating.”

Fresca

Integrative health coach Jordan Hardin of Jordi B Health and Fitness: «Just because a carbonated beverage is listed as ZERO calorie and ZERO Sugar, doesn’t mean it’s better for you than Coke. The ingredient I find most questionable in Fresca is Glycerol ester of wood rosin. It’s also labelled as ‘ester gum’ and is an additive used to help mix better in liquid. It’s banned in Europe and Australia. If you have any food intolerances or sensitives, this ingredient can cause nausea and upset stomach, it can also causes high blood sugar!»

Orange Soda

Hannah Shine, Health Manager at HourGlass Waist: «Even the name of the drink is misleading because there is little to no trace of orange in this drink. Containing an unrealistic amount of sugars, Orange soda is one of the unhealthiest drinks to consume, its content is filled with citric acid and sugar water which can cause stomach issues if consumed in a higher amount. Artificial flavors are added to give off a tangy orange like taste while colors are also added to give it an orange-y aesthetic. A can of orange soda contains an astonishing 43 grams of sugar.»

A&W Root Beer

Chris Riley, CEO of USA Rx: «One of the most unhealthy carbonated beverages on the market is A&W root beer. For reference, most sodas contain between 230-250 calories per 20 fluid ounces. A&W root beer contains 290 calories. It also contains an unusually high amount of sodium (135mg compared to most soda’s 50-90mg) as well as a ridiculously high amount of sugar (76g compared to most sodas 60-70g).»

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Prosecco

It turns out this alcoholic beverage can affect your body in more ways than one. According to a 2017 article by The Independent, «The combination of carbonic acid, sugar, and alcohol present in the drink could do damage to your teeth if drunk in sufficient amounts.» Dr Mervyn Druian of the London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry said, «[Prosecco] is acidic and it has sugar in it so, while a few glasses are fine, if you drink too much of it you are going to have a problem.» He continued, «The signs of prosecco smile are where the teeth come out of the gum. It starts with a white line just below the gum, which if you probe it is a little bit soft, and that is the beginning of tooth decay which can lead to fillings and dental work.”

Yikes! Now we know what drinks to steer clear of then.

The 6 Most Surprisingly Unhealthy Beverages

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Think what you’re eating is what matters most in your diet? Maybe it’s what you’re washing it all down with that’s really the problem. According to statistics compiled by the Harvard School of Public Health, the rising consumption of sugary drinks is a major contributor to obesity in the United States. In fact, for about 25% of Americans, these drinks contribute 200 or more calories to their diet each day. (See also: 22 Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda)

Of course, the obvious culprit is soda (or «pop,» depending on where you live). Fizzy, sugary drinks are also the indulgence that get vilified the most in the press and nutritional publications. Unfortunately, that isn’t the only unhealthy drink you should be avoiding. Check out these six surprisingly unhealthy beverages you may have overlooked.

1. Rice Milk

Cow’s milk often gets a bad rap, whether for its saturated fat content, or the hormones that are too often fed to milking cows, or to the conditions in which those cows produce their milk. And while those may all be valid concerns, many milk substitutes have problems of their own. Rice milk, in particular, is essentially just starchy water; if it isn’t fortified, it provides virtually nothing in the way of protein or vitamins. Much like soda, rice milk only promises empty calories.

2. Smoothies

When it comes to having a refreshing summer treat, a smoothie seems like a good bet. But you might be better off getting the ice cream. Because let’s face it: That’s what you really want anyway, and you probably won’t be any worse off for it.

Smoothies tend to start out as being pretty healthy. They often contain yogurt and fruit. But then, many smoothie and drink chains add sugar, protein powders, juice, and ice cream, ratcheting up the calories to as many as 500 per cup. That said, a few chains do make healthy, relatively low calorie smoothies. Just check the nutritional information rather than assuming that a smoothie is a health food. Or take control of what’s in your smoothie by making your own at home.

3. Vitamin Water

Vitamins and water. It sounds like a good combo, right? After all, our bodies need both. But before you pop the cap on one of these drinks, take a look at the label. Sure, there are plenty of vitamins, as promised. But there’s also a lot of sugar. About 120 calories’ worth in a typical bottle. That’s less than what you’ll find in the same about of soda, but not by much. And as for vitamins, well, even the leading vitamin water producer says they probably won’t do you much good. Is it any wonder vitamin waters are hawked by major soft drink companies like Coca Cola?

4. Iced Tea

Tea has tons of health benefits, but when it’s brewed and bottled and sold as iced tea, its health benefits get a little murky.

Most people drink what those in Southern United States call «sweet tea.» According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Database, a 12-ounce glass of iced sweet tea is almost entirely made of water and carbohydrates, with 136 calories, no fat, fiber, or protein, and 32 grams of sugar. Compare that to a typical can of soda, which has about 150 calories. Sure, there are some antioxidants in that tea, but in bottled varieties, those levels are often pretty low. In other words, iced tea isn’t much better than soda unless you make your own and keep sugar to a minimum.

5. Fruit Juice

A glass of fruit juice has long been represented on the USDA’s Food Guide as a serving of fruit. Unfortunately, more recent research has found that while 100% fruit juice is made of fruit, it doesn’t act like fruit in our bodies. Juice does include some vitamins and minerals, but it lacks whole fruit’s fiber, which is what helps all the sugar in fruit enter our bloodstream at a slower rate. Plus, many fruit juices are as sugary as soft drinks. In small quantities, the vitamins in juice make it a little healthier than soda, but not by much.

6. Diet Soda

If you’re a diet soda lover, you probably know it isn’t healthy for you, exactly, but you may assume think it’s a cut above sugar-sweetened fizzy drinks. Unfortunately, calorie-free diet drinks aren’t free of health consequences. According to a 2008 University of Minnesota study, just one diet soda a day is linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. A University of Texas Health Science Center study found that downing two or more cans of diet soda per day increased people’s waistlines by 500%. Diet soda consumption has even been linked to kidney problems and acid reflux.

The bottom line? Many drinks that are marketed as being healthy — or healthier — are just as bad for your health as soda.

Any other surprisingly unhealthy beverages? Please share in comments!

Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links from which we receive a compensation (like Amazon for example). But they do not affect the opinions and recommendations of the authors.

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6 Healthiest Sodas To Drink

Learn about some of the healthier soda options out there!

by Erin Elizabeth updated February 6, 2023, 3:13 pm 5.5k Views

Soda has a reputation as a sugary and unhealthy beverage that you should avoid if you want to eat healthily. However, some sodas can be healthy if you consume them in moderation.

Stick to 12 ounces of soda or less daily to stay within healthy bounds.

Many sodas were originally invented for medicinal purposes. However, many of them evolved to be refreshing beverages, and there are many popular soda brands competing today.

The healthiest sodas have low amounts of sodium, calories, and carbohydrates. As with any dietary choice, you should talk to your doctor about soda consumption, especially if you have diabetes.

Healthy Sodas

Read on to learn about the healthiest sodas to drink.

Sierra Mist

Sierra Mist is often considered one of the healthiest sodas you can drink because a 12-ounce can contains 140 calories, 35 milligrams of sodium, and 37 grams of carbohydrates.

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The lemon-lime flavored soda debuted from PepsiCo in 1999. This drink is one of my favorite sodas for a hot day when I need refreshment.

This soda contains citric acid, sugar, and potassium citrate.

Besides the original Sierra Mist flavor, there have been plenty of other flavors throughout the years, including Sierra Mist Natural, Sierra Mist Zero Sugar, Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash, Sierra Mist Ruby Splash, Diet Sierra Mist, and Sierra Mist Strawberry Kiwi Splash.

Seagram’s Ginger Ale

Seagram’s Ginger Ale is a classically healthy soda. Historically people used this beverage to quiet an upset stomach.

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Whether or not those trick works is up for debate. However, ginger does have some anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger also provides a delightful tangy flavor that makes this soda a little different from others.

A 12-ounce can contains 130 calories, 34 grams of carbohydrates, and 40 milligrams of sodium. This drink includes high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, and ginger extract.

Besides being delicious on its own, ginger ale is a popular mixer for cocktails and mocktails.

I am always a fan of ginger ale. If a can of it is available at a barbeque, that will always be my first choice. It’s also great when you’re hungover!

Sprite

Sprite is the Coca-Cola company’s product, similar to PepsiCo’s Sierra Mist. Both sodas have a lemon-lime flavor with some variance.

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It is one of the healthiest sodas available thanks to its 146 calories, 37 grams of carbohydrates, and 33 milligrams of sodium. T.C. Evans released Sprite in 1955, and Coca-Cola acquired the drink in 1960.

This soft drink comes in many flavors, including cranberry, cherry, grape, orange, vanilla, ginger, and tropical.

The lemon-lime soda is another excellent choice for hot days. Sprite is great on its own or when added to cocktails or mocktails.

7-Up

7-Up is another popular lemon-lime-flavored soda. It does not contain caffeine, making it a perfect treat later in the day.

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The Keurig Dr. Pepper company owns this soda. Each 12-ounce can contains 140 calories, 45 milligrams of sodium, and 39 grams of carbohydrates.

There are many 7-Up variations, including Tropical 7 Up, 7 Up Retro, Cherry 7 Up, Orange 7 Up, & Up Light, and 7 Up Mojito.

I love using this soda as a mixer, and it is fun to try all the different variations.

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a classic soda that has maintained popularity since 1886.

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A 12-ounce can contains 140 calories, 39 grams of carbohydrates, and 45 milligrams of sodium.

It also has caffeine. There are several variants of Coca-cola, including Coca-Cola raspberry, Coca-Cola Lemon, Coca-Cola Cherry, Vanilla Coke, Coca-Cola Ginger, Coca-Cola Starlight, and Coca-Cola with Coffee.

While the exact recipe behind this drink is a mystery, there are some listed ingredients, including phosphoric acid, caramel color, and other natural flavors.

The soda can have sugar or high fructose corn syrup, depending on the country of production. I love this soda if I want a bit of a pick-me-up.

Pepsi

Pepsi is the flagship product of PepsiCo. The drink has been around since 1893.

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However, it has evolved significantly since its origin. Today it has a caramel-like flavor with a citrus tang.

Each 12-ounce can contains 150 calories, 41 milligrams of carbohydrates, and 30 milligrams of sodium. This soda also contains caffeine, making it an alternative to coffee for many people.

The original beverage contains high fructose corn syrup, sugar, phosphoric acid, citric acid, and caffeine.

Besides the original Pepsi flavor, there has been a Caffeine-Free Pepsi, Pepsi Wild Cherry, Crystal Pepsi, Pepsi Twist, Pepsi Lime, Pepsi Nitro, Pepsi Vanilla, and Pepsi with Real Sugar.

Healthy Sodas

Sierra Mist
Seagram’s Ginger Ale
Sprite
7-Up
Coca-Cola
Pepsi

Final Thoughts

Do away with your assumption that all sodas are bad for you. In moderation, each of these soda options can be a healthy way for you to engage your sweet tooth.

Always check with your doctor about making any diet changes.

If you’re really looking to cut sugary drinks, consider checking out the best sparkling water brands instead – they’re flavored, but low on sugar and still offer that carbonated fizz for your cravings.

Check out some discontinued sodas that we wish we could give another try.