This post has been updated since it was originally published on May 31, 2021.
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)."
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.
