Shocking Levels Of Sugar In Popular Summer Beverages

We all know that it's crucial to stay hydrated, and that staying hydrated takes on an extra sense of urgency during the very hottest days of the year. If we're going to be absolutely honest, we all also know this simple fact — plain water is the very best drink for people who aren't sure if they've had enough H2O, and who may be suffering from the first hints of dehydration already.

If the summer is scorching hot where you live, though, you may try to find a source of refreshment in tasty flavored beverages — that also happen to be packed absolutely full of either sugar or sugar substitutes. 

Sure, more and more public health awareness campaigns are drawing attention to the fact that sugary drinks simply aren't a good substitute for that life-sustaining and simple H2O you'd be better off drinking. But... soda and similar drinks are just too tasty to pass up for many people. Is it time to change that? Find out what negative consequences chugging your favorite summery soda too often might have for your health.

These appealing, high energy sensation and sugar-filled drinks often feel good and refreshing to drink in the moment, but once that initial high is lost, those drink will inevitably cause a craving. The more sugar you have, the more you want it. Combining sugar with caffeine is highly addictive as the body's ability to naturally create highs is diminished.

Warning: Sugary drinks cause dangerous changes to blood sugar levels

In the digestive tract, liquids are absorbed more quickly than solid foods. The sugar-filled beverage you drink is rapidly absorbed into the blood, spiking your blood sugar levels. In turn, the body responds to this dangerous level by secreting insulin into the system, in a desperate attempt to bring blood glucose levels down to normal. The sugar diminishes as quickly as it came, causing a sugar low, or the infamous "crash". This triggers a further response by the brain to tell you to eat.

Having this process repeated over and over is difficult on the system, and reduces the proficiency of the pancreas, the organ which secretes insulin. Also, as one would imagine, all that hunger after drinking sugary drinks leads to weight gain from unnecessary overeating of sugary foods and drinks, which are then stored as fat.

Watch out for these popular sugary beverages in particular:

• SoBe fruit drinks: These look and taste delicious when you grab a 20 oz bottle at the corner store. Unfortunately, you'll be consuming 70 grams of sugar in a single bottle, which is about 280 calories.
• Iced Tea (sweetened): Sweetened iced tea is very popular, with people believing it to be a healthy alternative to soda. In reality, it is just as bad as the others, with a 16 oz serving containing about 46 grams of sugar, for a total of 180 calories from sugar, and not all that many nutrients.
• Nesquick Chocolate Milk: A 16 oz bottle has 58 grams of sugar, a shocking 400 calories altogether, with 230 from sugar alone.

• Lemonade, Apple and Orange juice: Carefully read the label on fruit juice bottles, many will have 45 to 56 grams of sugar in a 16 oz serving. That means you'll consume anywhere from 200 to 260 calories of sugar in what you thought was a healthy drink. Very often, the juice is far from fresh, and may be made with concentrated juice and re-added water. If you're hoping to enjoy healthy fruit juices, make them yourself!

What you may have thought to be an OK drink often instead turns out to be rather unhealthy and damaging drink rather than a cool, refreshing pick-me-up. Always check the label before you reach for your favorite summer drink! And don't forget to drink plain old water, too! In fact, if you must absolutely drink something other than water, unsweetened ice teas with green tea and herbs are your best bet, and you can make these yourself. Another option would be to add some lemon and cucumber to a jug of water. Now, there's a truly refreshing and healthy summer drink!