Health

6 Drinks That Contain More Sugar Than Soda

April 29, 2019

6 Drinks That Contain More Sugar Than Soda

We all know that water is the best option to quench the thirst. However, sometimes we prefer to choose soda or other drinks rather than plain water. In order to achieve the proper nutrition strategy we replace soda with iced tea, juices or smoothies. The problem is that those drinks may not be healthier than carbonated ones in terms of sugar.

How much sugar is there in a soda?

One 12oz Coca-Cola can contains 39 grams of sugar and 18 grams in reduced sugar versions of coke. 12 oz Sprite can has 33 grams of sugar. 12 oz Pepsi – 39 grams of sugar and 12 oz of Orange Fanta contains 23 grams of sugar.

Let’s learn the 8 types of drinks that contain more sugar than you thought.

1. Fruit juice may contain more sugar than soda

It is not arguable that juice made from fresh fruits is a healthy drink. Another fact is that a fruit is rich with fiber while the juice is deprived of this important nutrient. However, even if you choose 100% fruit juice and will avoid sugar added drinks, the natural sugar in fruits can be enough to harm your health. For instance, a cup of grape juice contains 36 grams of sugar.

2. Hot cocoa may contain more sugar than soda.

Is there anything better than a cup of hot cocoa on a frosty day? Undoubtedly, no! However despite its excellent warming functions, it is rather a dessert than a complementary drink. For example, a mug of cocoa with whipped cream from an average coffee shop contains 400 calories and 43 grams of sugar – which is more than in a regular soda can.

3. Ice tea may contain more sugar than soda.

Bottle of ice tea is a must have on a hot summer day. But only if this tea is made and cooled by you. And let’s be frank, most often we can afford time to prepare ice tea and go to the nearest supermarket to purchase it. According to research, soybeans of popular brands contain at least 30 grams of sugar per bottle.

4. Coconut water may contain more sugar than soda.

One of the main reasons of coconut water popularity is its saturation with electrolytes and potassium (a small box of the product contain about 25% of the daily mineral value). Electrolytes are necessary to maintain the level of hydration in the body. Experts warn you that you should not drink coconut water daily. But it will be extremely useful to consume it in summer or after training session. On the other hand, it is important to read the label carefully before purchasing. In the wake of healthy nutrition popularity, many manufacturers began to produce coconut water with flavors that can contain up to 30 grams of sugar per package.

5. Sport drinks may contain more sugar than soda.

If you spend at least three evenings a week in the gym, you probably like to consume and drink special sport drinks. They have a lot of advantages including taste, aroma, energy and nutritional component. But what about sugar? A bottle of sport drink contains about 50 grams of sugar and this is not a surprising fact as in the ingredients list, sugar appear immediately after water. If you are preparing for a marathon it is a good idea to consume sport drink to get more energy. When it comes to everyday life, it is better to replace them with the ones that contain less sugar.

6. Smoothies may contain more sugar than soda.

Nutritionists love smoothies especially when they are green ones. This is a great and quite healthy way to rid the body of toxins, unload it after the holiday or get enough on the run if you don’t have time to have lunch during a day. On the other hand, don’t forget that smoothies contain fruits. Fruits contain natural sugar which is equal to 53 grams of sugar per bottle. The best alternative to fruit smoothie is vegetable smoothie.

Conclusion

To sum up, it is better to give preferences to clean water when it comes to proper hydration. However, it is very important to follow our wishes and tastes and enrich our body with different vitamins via well-balanced smoothies, juices or other drinks. However, keep in mind that some of these “healthier” drinks may contain more sugar than soda. Therefore, watch your consumption and dosage of these drinks.