3 Beverages You Had No Idea Were Causing Inflammation 

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The consumer industry has flooded grocery stores with countless alternatives to good ol’ fashion water.

And to make matters worse, buzzwords are placed on packaging to lure well-intentioned health enthusiasts into thinking chemical-laden beverages are good for them.

But beware, there are some drinks you may grab off the shelf that’ll give you more side-effects than just quenched thirst.

Health experts have been warning people on the dangers of increased inflammation in the body.

You may be wondering why you should care about inflammation when you’re just trying to survive a stressful bedtime right now.

Besides the damage it is doing beneath the surface – like disrupting digestion and contributing to heart failure – according to the National Institute of Health, it also increases your waistline.

Some other uncomfortable symptoms of high inflammation are bloating, cramps, weight gain (no thank you!), and indigestion.

While there are lots of that focus on an anti-inflammatory diet, there is not a lot of attention on the drinks you could unsuspectingly be sipping on throughout the day that are causing trouble.

Soda

It has long been known that soda is not good for you, but that doesn’t mean too much to the average consumer – thus why Coca-Cola has dominated the market for decades.

Registered dietitian and fitness expert Nataly Komova says soda is one of the most inflammatory drinks out there, according to Yahoo Lifestyle.

She adds it “can also cause insulin resistance and raise cholesterol levels, slowing weight reduction.”

Those who have been sipping on the fizzy drink for years will find it hard to quit cold turkey and go straight to water, so Komova recommends switching to kombucha as a treat in your busy day.

The probiotic-rich drink has many flavor options and provides that bubbly drink you are used to.

Energy Drinks

We all need a pick-me-up now and again (or every morning) and not everybody likes the taste of coffee, as surprising as that is.

But grabbing an energy drink is one of the worst options for your health.

The inflammatory drink will make you feel more awake but will also add to the number on the scale – all while destroying your gut.

Komova warns:

Most energy and sports drinks contain added sweeteners, colors, and sugars that are harmful to your health.”

“The drinks contain processed sugars and artificial sweeteners that increase your risk of body inflammation, delaying your weight loss process.”

If you are impartial to coffee, try a green tea with honey, or pick a flavored tea like pomegranate if you like the fruity flavors.

Sweet Tea

Down in the south, they are known for their super sweet tea.

Sara Chatfield, MPH, RDN, registered dietitian and nutritionist, knows it is easy to indulge in sweet tea because it isn’t usually thought of as a high-calorie beverage, according to Yahoo Lifestyle.

But the high sugar consumption leads to changes in fat metabolism.

There is a heightened risk of fatty liver disease, where fat builds up in the liver. Too much insulin from high sugar intake can also be detrimental to artery and heart health,” Chatfield says.

Too much sugar in the diet from any source can raise your blood pressure and cause chronic inflammation.

And with so many specialty drinks on the market it is hard to know what’s actually healthy to drink and what’s not.

Look for additives and preservatives in the ingredient list and check the nutrition label for its total sugar percentage.

The best and safest method to avoid inflammatory drinks is to just stick with water.

It’s recommended to drink at least 64oz of water a day – and you can always mix things up with sparkling water to increase your intake in a fun and healthy way.

Don’t add one more thing to your never-ending to-do list by sipping on a beverage that will require a trip to the doctor’s office.