All the drinks you should avoid as doctor urges people to stay away from 'liquid death'
The cans of fizzy drinks in your fridge might seem harmless but one doctor says it’s anything but.
Sugary soft drinks have been labelled ‘liquid death’ due to their links to weight gain, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, raising fresh concerns about how everyday drinks are quietly impacting long-term health.
When we think about unhealthy habits, alcohol and junk food usually top the list but experts say one of the biggest culprits could be hiding in plain sight. Here are the drinks you should avoid.
Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified general, vascular and thoracic surgeon, often shares his neat tips and tricks on improving wellbeing on social media.
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It should come as no surprise that one type of drink he strongly suggests people avoid is alcohol. "Hate to break it to you [but it's] toxic. Toxic to every cell in your body. Your body, your rules, you decide for yourself. For me personally, removing alcohol from my life has probably been one of the most transformative decisions I've made as an adult."
He also said we should all avoid fizzy drinks, which are also known as soft drinks.
"Just don't drink them. Period. Done," he said.
Not long after posting his Instagram warning, Dr London spoke to TODAY, where he admitted the eerie nickname he's given to sugary, carbonated drinks was done in a bid to draw further attention to deeper issues.
"I think that soft drinks are just a scourge in our society, and so I was really trying to get some attention," he explained. "Obviously, high-calorie soft drinks and ingesting a lot of calories that people don't realise they're getting with the sugar-based soft drinks is a big no-no."
The Heart Foundation says the best drink you can consume when you’re thirsty and when the weather is warm or when you’re exercising is water. When it comes down to it, the best drink you can reach for is plain old water. The average adult human body is around 60% water and most of our major organs including our hearts, are made up of water.
Most of the body’s chemical reactions that happen in our cells need water and it helps our blood carry nutrients around the body.
But health experts also know that we all have cravings and state that other drinks, such as unflavoured milk, tea and coffee can be enjoyed in moderation.
To improve our health, humans should limit the consumption of sugary drinks like soft drinks, cordial, fruit drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks.
The Heart Foundation also states that the less alcohol you drink, ‘the lower your risk of harm from alcohol’ is.
What should you drink instead of fizzy drinks?
The Heart Foundation urges people to simply drink water when they're feeling thirsty.
However, alternatives to these high-sugar drinks can include:
- Sparkling water (try adding chopped fruit or herbs; for example, fresh mint)
- Unflavoured milk
- Plant-based milks with added calcium, like soy, almond, oat, rice milk
- Unflavoured tea in moderation
- Unflavoured coffee in moderation
- Small glass (125ml) of 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice
Topics: Health, Food and Drink
Greg Harris