With wellness trends taking over the internet and influencers telling you what to eat and drink, it’s easy to get swept up in the hype around so-called ‘healthy’ beverages of all kinds and flavors. However, not all of them are as amazing as they seem.
Drinks like matcha lattes and kombucha can come with some health benefits, but according to health experts, some of these drinks may actually do more harm than good, especially when it comes to your gut. We are learning more about how important it is to protect our gut health these days, so we spoke with health experts, including Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Kayla Ogden and Michael Villarreal, CADC, and the CEO of Tres Vistas Recovery, about six popular “healthy” beverages that could be secretly sabotaging your digestive health. Read more about them below.
Struggling With Sleep? This Rechargeable Sound Machine Is A Total Game-Changer
Diet Soda
Many of us can't get through the day without a crispy and refreshing diet soda. However, you might want to think twice before you allow yourself to crack one open daily.
"The concern with diet soda is what ingredients are used to make it diet?" asks Ogden.
"If it contains something like aspartame, sucralose, or Ace-K, it's not an optimal choice. These sweeteners are associated with multiple health risks, including a disrupted gut microbiome and impaired glucose metabolism. There are others like stevia that may fare as a better option, but may still not be ideal for some people."
Gatorade Or Electrolyte Drinks
Sometimes, we'll grab an electrolyte or vitamin-filled beverage from a store or deli when we feel like we could use a boost. They are often advertised with nutritious electrolytes and vitamins we know are good for us, so we'll grab the drinks. But, these drinks can usually contain a lot more harmful ingredients than the good ones, and don't even hydrate you as much as you'd hope.
"These are often loaded with sugars and artificial dyes and minimal amounts of actual electrolytes," adds Ogden. "There are better options, many are in powder form with better ingredients and a better ratio of electrolytes."
Matcha Lattes
Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages a person can drink, as it's packed with antioxidants and all sorts of good ingredients. But some forms of green tea matcha lattes, like the electrolyte beverages, can be filled with other additives that hurt your gut when they're not made at home.
"Although green tea contains a high presence of antioxidants, when served as a latte, in most cases, it is mixed with sweetened condensed milk, artificially flavored syrups, or powdered instant sugar formulas," explains Villareal.
"These sweetening agents nullify the effect of green tea and lead to an imbalance of the gut. The amount of sugar that is added nourishes pro-inflammation bacteria throughout the intestine and increases insulin levels, stimulating fat storage."
Premade Smoothies
Seeing a row of prepackaged, premade smoothies at the grocery store and taking one home can make you feel proud or satisfied. At least you didn't pick out a soda, right? But, like most premade beverages, there could be some harmful ingredients hidden in there.
"Just because the label says '100% juice' doesn't mean it's a healthy choice," noted Villareal.
"Many of these drinks are low in fiber and high in sugar, which can make your blood sugar go up and feed the wrong kind of gut bacteria. For someone trying to keep their mood steady, this can lead to emotional ups and downs that make the process even harder."
Oat Milk
Oat milk provides a nice, rich milk alternative to those who are lactose intolerant. People of all kinds tend to enjoy the flavor and creamy taste it adds to their coffee, but our health experts think it would be wise to scale back if you can, especially if you're having issues with your gut.
"Conventional oats are among the most heavily glyphosate-contaminated crops in the U.S.," says Ogden.
"When made into milk, the fiber and protein are removed, so we end up with basically starchy sugar water. Then, manufacturers will add synthetic nutrients, gums, and emulsifiers. All-around, this one is a no-go."
Premade Green Juice
Like store-bought smoothies, seeing the bright green color of premade green juices, it can be hard to imagine they're made with anything but delicious, nutrient-dense greens that are known for improving your gut. Well, before you reach for one, you should double-check the ingredients list.
"Many green juices are classic, literal examples of 'greenwashing,' a term used to describe products marketed as healthy, clean or eco-friendly but really aren't," explains Ogden.
"A green juice with a true produce-only ingredient list, devoid of added sugars, may be a yummy source of vitamins, but it's still missing fiber essential for digestion and satiation. Furthermore, most green juices contain added sugars, high oxalates, and other additives that make it a waste of your $9."
