It’s easy to sacrifice health for convenience, especially when it comes to the beverages you drink on a regular basis. But if you want to live a long, healthy life, it’s important to think critically about what you’re putting into your body. And according to board-certified endocrinologist and internal medicine doctor @endohealthdoc on TikTok, there are a few common beverages that could be harming your health. She recently shared a video highlighting the top three drinks she personally avoids due to their potential to introduce “harsh chemicals” and endocrine-disrupting compounds into the body.
“These are the three drinks I never touch as an endocrinologist,” she says. The culprits? K-cup coffee, decaf tea and coffee, and electrolyte drinks. Learn more about the risks of each—and what to swap them with—below.
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1. K-Cup Coffee
A Keurig coffee maker may be highly convenient, but those disposable pods can be a health hazard. "When you’re making K-cup coffee, you are literally pouring boiling water through a little plastic cup. That is releasing microplastics and chemicals into your coffee," she explains. These tiny particles and contaminants may seem insignificant, but over time, exposure can add up and potentially impact hormone balance and long-term health.
If you’re not ready to give up coffee entirely, she recommends switching to safer, non-plastic brewing methods. "Instead, use a French press, a glass pour-over, or a stovetop espresso maker." Got it!
2. Decaf Coffee or Tea
Cutting back on caffeine? Good for you! But decaf coffee or tea may not be the healthiest solution. "Most of these are stripped of caffeine using harsh chemical solvents," @endohealthdoc explains. These solvents, like methylene chloride and ethyl acetate, could leave behind harmful chemical residues.
Instead of reaching for decaf, she says it’s better to opt for more natural choices. "Use an herbal tea like mint or chamomile," she advises. "These are naturally caffeine-free." Perfect!
3. Electrolyte Drinks
Sorry, Gatorade lovers! Although electrolyte drinks may help soothe a hangover, sipping on them regularly isn't ideal for your health. "These can be filled with food dyes, artificial sweeteners, chemicals, and they’re usually sitting in a bottle of plastic," she says. Many commercial electrolyte drinks are marketed as healthy and hydrating, but between the packaging and additives, they can be far from wholesome. Plus, most contain a lot of sugar, which can lead to a range of other risks.
The solution? A homemade elixir! "A glass of water, a sprinkle of Celtic salt, and a squirt of lemon is an amazing source of electrolytes that’s much cheaper and much healthier for you." We're definitely trying that.
