There are some drinks you should consider giving up to help lower your risk of disease, according to experts.
Heart disease is a severe problem in the United States, mainly because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that it is the top cause of death, affecting over 659,000 individuals each year.
Although some occurrences of heart disease are inherited, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, alcoholism, obesity, lack of physical activity, and a poor diet are also risk factors.
We wanted to focus on using our diet to help lower our risk of heart disease this year as we move into the holidays with many opportunities for great food and drinks.
To do so, we spoke with Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian and author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility.
Continue reading to find out what she has to say about drinks to avoid if you want to lower your risk of heart disease, as well as other health advice.
1. Tonic & Gin
According to Manaker, drinking in moderation is relatively safe, but if you drink excessively, you may be increasing your risk of heart disease.
"Excessive alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), heart attack, and congestive heart failure (when your heart fails to pump blood properly)," Manaker explains.
Even though she chose a well-known cocktail, gin and tonic, she cautions that excessive intake of any alcohol might have these consequences.
2. Sugared Fruit Punch
Excessive levels of added sugar in your diet are another essential factor to consider regarding heart disease.
"Despite the fact that the term 'fruit' is in the name, there is frequently no fruit in the ingredient list of this popular drink," Manaker explains, "and it is usually laden with added sugars."
In fact, according to Manaker, women who drink one or more sugary beverages each day are more likely to acquire heart disease.
3. Sugar-Free Lemonade made with artificial sweetener.
"People who routinely consumed artificially sweetened beverages (such sugar-free lemonade) had a higher risk of heart disease," adds Manaker, "but it is crucial to stress that this study indicated association rather than causality."
In other words, we can't simply assume that something like sugar-free lemonade causes heart disease, but there is enough data to suggest that the two are linked.
4. White Chocolate Mocha
One of the common denominators among foods and beverages that contribute to heart disease is too much added sugar. We raise our risk of diabetes, obesity, and high blood sugar when we consume too much-added sugar, all of which are substantial risk factors for heart disease.