When it comes to choosing healthy beverages, many people unknowingly opt for drinks that may pose hidden health risks. According to various health experts, some seemingly “healthy” beverages marketed as harmless options can actually increase cancer risk due to their ingredients, sugar content, or chemical additives. These drinks might contain elements that promote inflammation or disrupt cellular health. It’s a surprising revelation to many, but choosing the right beverages is just as important as eating the right foods.
We checked in with doctors to find out three of the major culprits when it comes to beverages and cancer risk. They revealed that fruit juice/sports drinks, flavored plant-based milk, and diet soda are the ones to steer clear of. Read on to get all their insights.
1. Fruit Juice/Sports Drinks
Just because a beverage has the word “fruit” in it doesn’t make it healthy.
Dr. Sue Clenton, an oncologist and specialist consultant at Releaf, says that “fruit juices and sports drinks are often loaded with sugar, which can contribute to weight gain, inflammation, and an increased risk of various cancers.”
She warns not to be deceived by these seemingly harmless drinks, as they can be detrimental to overall well-being. “High sugar intake is linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation, all of which increase the risk of developing various types of cancer. Artificial sweeteners and certain preservatives, such as BPA, can disrupt hormone regulation and potentially contribute to hormone-sensitive cancers.”
2. Flavored Plant-Based Milk
The one may be a surprise, but Michael O. McKinney, physician from Healthy Outlook, explains further and notes that “store-bought almond, oat, or soy milk can be sweetened with sugar and other flavors. Some may also use carrageenan as a thickening agent; this substance was found to cause soreness in animal intestines, which themselves precede colorectal cancer.”
Instead, he wants consumers to go for plain and unadulterated plant-based milk. “Remember, if the first ingredient isn’t the milk itself or nuts, seeds, or soy, then it may contain added sugars or other unhealthy ingredients.” Another tip: because these types of milk are usually popular additions in coffee, neuroscientist Dr. Robert Love warns against conventional coffee altogether—aka coffee that's not organic. "It’s a surprise to most people because [coffee] is so healthy. Organic coffee is terrific for your brain, but conventional coffee can be sprayed with pesticides," he explains. Noted!
3. Diet soda
Unfortunately, nutritionist Lisa Richards, creator of The Candida Diet, confirms that diet soda can be just as bad as regular, sugary soda in different ways. That’s because, in place of sugar, the diet variety is loaded with artificial sweeteners, which come with their own share of health risks. That means what you save in calories, you lose in other areas of your health.
"While diet soda may be lower in calories and sugar than regular soda, it is not necessarily a healthy choice," Richards warns. "Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, which are commonly used in diet soda, have been the subject of ongoing debate and controversy regarding their potential health effects."
She goes on to say that some of the risks associated with artificial sweeteners include weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and increased risk of certain types of cancer. Additionally, these sweeteners can take a serious toll on your gut health by disrupting the balance of bacteria in your gut microbiome, which, in turn, can impact practically every aspect of your wellness. What’s more, the sweet flavor of these artificial ingredients can still lead to increased cravings for actual sugar even more, resulting in overeating and, ultimately, weight gain.
Instead, Clenton recommends beverages like water, infused water, and green tea. Water is crucial for hydration and helps to flush out toxins. Add some fruits, herbs, or vegetables to enhance its flavor. Lastly, green tea is a powerful beverage that is “rich in antioxidants; green tea has been shown to have anti-cancer properties, fighting inflammation and protecting against oxidative damage.”
