Top 12 Most Sugar-Laden Beverages Worldwide - Sorted by Sugar Content
In a world where sugary drinks have become a staple, it's crucial to be aware of their potential health implications. From popular brands like Barq's Root Beer to AriZona's Real Brewed Sweet Tea, many drinks contain shocking amounts of sugar that can exceed daily recommended limits.
Barq's Root Beer, for instance, is not caffeine-free but contains a significant amount of sugar and high fructose syrup. Pepsi, another well-known brand, contains nearly as much sugar as eight Oreo cookies.
AriZona Real Brewed Sweet Tea Southern Style delivers more than double your daily sugar limit in a single serving. The same can be said for AriZona Green Tea, which contains high fructose syrup, linked to several major health issues.
Monster Energy Drink, popular among the youth, contains 54 grams of added sugar and stimulants, leading to a sugar crash. Mountain Dew, with its high levels of caffeine and sugar, is another beverage to watch out for.
However, it's not just the sugary drinks marketed as healthy that pose a threat. Naked Mighty Mango Juice, marketed as a healthy smoothie, contains high levels of sugar. Naked Blue Machine Juice, despite having no added sugar, contains concentrated fruit purees that spike blood sugar levels as fast as soda.
So, what are the healthier alternatives? The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends low or no added sugar drinks. The AHA suggests no more than 6 teaspoons (about 24 grams) of added sugar per day for women and 9 teaspoons (about 36 grams) for men.
Water, the best choice for hydration, offers zero sugar. Enhancing water with natural flavors by adding lemon slices, cucumber, or berries provides a tasty, sugar-free option.
Unsweetened tea and coffee can offer rich flavors without added sugars. Sparkling or seltzer water with natural citrus and a small amount of calorie-free stevia-based sweetener can satisfy cravings for carbonated, citrus-flavored drinks, avoiding the high sugar content of regular sodas.
Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, provides carbonation and probiotics beneficial for gut health, with generally lower sugar levels than sodas. However, some kombuchas may contain trace alcohol from fermentation, and people with certain health conditions or sensitivities should consult a healthcare provider before consuming it.
Low-fat milk and 100% fruit juice (in moderation) can also be part of a balanced diet, despite containing natural sugars and no added sugar.
It's important to avoid drinks with added sugars under various names such as cane sugar, honey, agave, high-fructose corn syrup, and others listed by the AHA. A standard 12 oz soda can contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar, already exceeding daily recommendations for women and nearly matching those for men.
Reducing sugary drink consumption helps lower risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental problems, inflammation, and heart disease. By choosing water and unsweetened beverages like tea, coffee, and sparkling water with natural flavors, we can maintain hydration and adhere to the AHA's sugar intake limits while enjoying variety without the health risks of sugary sodas.
- Barq's Root Beer, despite being advertised as a non-caffeine beverage, contains high amounts of sugar and high fructose syrup.
- Unsweetened tea and coffee, unlike some sugary drinks, offer rich flavors without the addition of sugars.
- Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, provides carbonation and probiotics, with generally lower sugar levels than sodas.
- By selecting water and unsweetened beverages like tea, coffee, and sparkling water with natural flavors, we can maintain healthy hydration and adhere to the American Heart Association's sugar intake limits.
