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We are all aware that water is the best choice for staying hydrated and maintaining our health. However, there are times when we crave something different, and there are numerous options available. From juices to bottled coffees to sodas, the variety is endless. But it’s important to note that some of these beverages are packed with more sugar than a candy bar.
As per the American Heart Association, the recommended daily limit of added sugar is 9 teaspoons (36 grams or 150 calories) for men and 6 teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories) for women. Surprisingly, many drinks exceed these limits by a significant margin.
Despite the marketing claims of being refreshing, energizing, or healthy, some drinks are actually loaded with hidden sugars. To help you navigate the overwhelming selection of drinks at the grocery store, Eat This, Not That! has compiled a list of the 12 most unhealthy drinks you can consume. These drinks are ranked based on their sugar content, from the least to the most sugar content.
Pepsi
Nutrition: per serving 1 can
Calories: 150
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 30mg
Carbs: 41g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 41g)
Protein: 0g
Pepsi may be a soda classic, but it’s a sugar bomb in disguise. One bottle contains nearly as much sugar as eight Oreo cookies.
AriZona Green Tea
Nutrition: per serving 20 oz bottle
Calories: 170
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 0mg
Carbs: 43g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 42g)
Protein: 0g
AriZona Green Tea fools people because “green tea” sounds healthy—but it’s basically sugar water with a splash of tea. If you drink the entire bottle, and most likely you will, the sugar here is almost double the daily recommended limit for women. Plus, it contains high fructose syrup, which is linked to several major health issues like weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, inflammation and more, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Barq’s Root Beer
Nutrition: per serving 1 can
Calories: 180
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 65mg
Carbs: 44g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 44g)
Protein: 0g
Root beer has a nostalgic vibe, but Barq’s delivers a lot sugar and contains high fructose syrup
Bonus downside? It’s not even caffeine-free.
Welch’s Grape Concord Juice
Nutrition: per serving 1 bottle
Calories: 180
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 15mg
Carbs: 46g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 44g)
Protein: 1g
A bottle of Welch’s Grape Concord Juice sounds like it belongs at a toddler’s lunch table, but this one’s more like adult-level candy in liquid form.
Mountain Dew
Nutrition: per serving 1 bottle
Calories: 170
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 60mg
Carbs: 46g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 46g)
Protein: 0g
If your drink glows like nuclear waste, it’s probably not great for your body. Mountain Dew has sugar and high levels of caffeine, making it a double hit to your metabolism.
Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino
Nutrition: per serving 1 bottle
Calories: 270
Fat: 4.5g (Saturated fat: 3g)
Sodium: 140 mg
Carbs: 48g (Fiber:0 g , Sugar: 46g)
Protein: 10g
There’s no denying that a Starbucks Frappuccino is a delicious morning or afternoon pick-me-up, but it’s a jolt to your system in a bad way. The sugar level here beats most dessert items.
Naked Blue Machine Juice
Nutrition: per serving
Calories: 270
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 20mg
Carbs: 64g (Fiber: 8 , Sugar: 52g)
Protein: 2g
Naked Blue Machine Juice is another health drink that’s basically fruit syrup. Despite having no added sugar, the concentrated fruit purees spike your blood sugar just as fast as soda.
Naked Green Machine Juice
Nutrition: per serving 1 bottle
Calories: 270
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 25mg
Carbs: 63g (Fiber: 2g , Sugar: 53g)
Protein: 4g
The label screams “healthy,” but Green Machine is heavy on fruit concentrates and light on actual greens. In addition, the drink lacks fiber, is low in protein and calcium. If you’re looking for a way to get in your fruit and veggies, it’s better to eat them whole and not processed.
AriZona Real Brewed Sweet Tea Southern Style
Nutrition: per serving container
Calories: 220
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 0mg
Carbs: 54g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 53g)
Protein: 0g
AriZona’s giant cans are infamous for being “cheap and huge,” but they’re also sugar traps. One can of Real Brewed Sweet Tea Southern Style delivers more than double your daily sugar limit in a single serving if you drink the entire bottle.
Monster Energy Drink
Nutrition: per serving 1 can
Calories: 230
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 370mg
Carbs: 54g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 54g)
Protein: 0g
Monster gives you wings, alright—and a fast track to a sugar crash. There’s 54 grams of added sugar, plus the stimulants and you’ve got a jittery mess in a can.
Naked Mighty Mango Juice
Nutrition: per serving 1 15.2 oz bottle
Calories: 290
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 20 mg
Carbs: 68g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 57g)
Protein: 2g
Mighty Mango is mighty sweet.. This smoothie delivers more sugar than a Snickers bar and an 8 ounce can of Coke combined.
AriZona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey
Nutrition: per serving 23 fl oz
Calories: 260
Fat: 0g (Saturated fat: 0g)
Sodium: 20mg
Carbs: 68g (Fiber: 0g , Sugar: 68g)
Protein: 0g
AriZona Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey takes the top spot for unhealthiest drink on the planet. There’s plenty of people who drink the tea daily, but you’re consuming two to three days worth of sugar in one sitting.
Plus, it contains high fructose corn syrup, a processed sweetener strongly linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. While it contains a touch of honey and vitamin C, the tiny amount of ginseng and trace natural flavoring don’t make up for the harmful effects of its sugar load. What should be a light, antioxidant-rich tea ends up functioning more like a dessert in disguise.
