3 ‘Controversial’ Beverages That Increase Aging And Are ‘Highly Inflammatory’—#1 Disrupts Sleep!
April 5, 2025 by Mariam Qayum
Drinks and beverages play a significant role in our daily routines, but not all are created equal when it comes to health and aging. Some drinks, particularly sugary sodas, energy drinks, and even excessive alcohol, can accelerate the aging process and contribute to inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a key factor in the development of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging, as it damages skin cells and speeds up the breakdown of collagen.
Health experts warn that regularly consuming these highly inflammatory beverages can lead to long-term skin and health issues, making it important to choose drinks that support overall well-being rather than hinder it. Read on to discover three beverages that can speed up aging and are “highly inflammatory.”
1. Alcohol
Dr. Robert Love, a neuroscientist, calls alcohol "controversial" and adds that “some people say alcohol is good for your heart, but the research shows alcohol is bad for your skin and your brain.”
He adds that alcohol consumption increases inflammation levels. “Inflammation is one of the primary causes of aging,” and it also “impairs sleep” quality. Sleep is crucial for a healthy brain and healthy skin. “When you impair your sleep, you make your skin look older,” he notes.
2. Frappuccino/coffee drinks
Despite their irresistible taste in the morning (or anytime), these drinks are packed with sugar and contain lots of caffeine. Love highlights two ways this drink can affect signs of aging. “They have lots and lots of sugar. They have approximately 81 grams of sugar, which is over 20 teaspoons,” making it a “highly inflammatory” option.
“When we eat lots of sugar and no fiber, that spikes your insulin and spikes your blood glucose, and that creates inflammation.”
Another way these drinks speed up aging is that those high amounts of caffeine “can create stress in the body.” Stress is also a major factor when it comes to aging.
3. Soda
Love calls this one the “worst” on the list. Similar to coffee, soda has a lot of sugar and no fiber. This will lead to spikes in your insulin levels, contribute to inflammation, and can “increase skin aging.”
Another reason this beverage is so bad for aging is that both regular soda and diet soda are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. A longitudinal study out of France that spanned across nine years and involved 100K people revealed that “those who consumed artificial sweeteners had approximately a 69% increased risk of type 2 diabetes.” Yikes!