According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the human body consists of 60% water. This high concentration of water means that the fluids you consume are of great importance. Regular consumption of water can help replenish what you lose and sustain bodily functions that contribute to optimal health. Water plays a role in flushing out toxins, repairing tissues, balancing chemicals, and more. 

If you want to live a longer, healthier life, you already know that you have to take a closer look at what you eat. You also have to take a look at what you drink because certain beverages actually shave years off your life. In fact, scientific evidence shows that sodas, sugary coffee drinks, energy drinks, and more increase signs of aging and are not conducive to longevity. In this article, we discuss which drinks you should avoid if you want to live a longer life. Plus, avoiding these drinks will have a positive impact on your overall health!

Sodas And Diet Sodas

Unfortunately, there is nothing but bad news surrounding sodas and diet sodas. One study, for example, found that consuming any type of soft drink contributes to early death. That means that drinking soda shortens your lifespan, people! This study looked at data from nearly half a million people with an average age of 50. The results showed that no matter what soft drinks they drank, be they diet sodas or sugary sweet, they shortened life span. Diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners that may affect brain chemistry, slow metabolism, and cause hunger cravings. Plus, these drinks are not beneficial to your gut microbiome. 

Sugary Coffee Creamers

The average person does not take their coffee black, and that poses several problems. An occasional cup of black coffee can have several health benefits, but adding sugary creamers and other dairy is where the problems begin. Coffee creamers tend to contain unhealthy fats, added sugars, and processed ingredients. One tablespoon of your average coffee creamer tends to contain five grams of added sugars and 1.5 grams of fat. Most people don’t add just one tablespoon, though, and they often drink more than one cup of coffee with those creamers. Excessive sugar intake increases your risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, all of which shorten life expectancy. 

Sweetened Teas

A cup of tea, especially herbal tea or green tea, exhibits myriad health benefits that improve overall health. Sweetened teas are an entirely different story, being loaded with artificial sweeteners, which can negatively impact your life expectancy. One study concluded that artificially sweetened beverages increase the risk of premature death, in addition to other health issues. Many health officials say that you should never drink sweetened teas, especially ones that come in bottles or from fountain drink dispensers. Oftentimes, one of these bottles contains 25 or more grams of sugar, making them devoid of nutrients. 

Alcohol

First of all, alcohol is a toxin that can damage almost every cell in the body. The body can process some alcohol and clear it from the system, but long-term use and excess consumption contribute to liver disease, cancer, cognitive impairment, and heart disease. Drinking a lot of alcohol also weakens immune function, increasing your risk of dementia and cognitive problems. On top of that, roughly one in 10 deaths among working-age adults is the result of excessive alcohol intake. All of that is to say that alcohol is a beverage that shaves years off your life, so opt for healthier beverages or cut back on your intake if you decide to drink. 

Fruit Juice

Surprising, right? Well, not really if you regularly inspect the nutritional labels of various fruit juice containers. Fruit juices are nearly as sugary as sweetened teas or sodas, meaning they are just as damaging to your health. One study found that drinking more than eight ounces of bottled fruit juice increases your chances of coronary disease and obesity. Both of those health conditions increase the risk of early death by 42%. Should you want to drink fruit juice, cold-pressed or homemade fruit juice is a better option. An even better option is to eat whole fruit, because then you get the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and the fiber.

Vincent Stevens

Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.