Soda obviously has zero redeeming qualities when it comes to nutritional benefits. Tea, on the other hand, has been shown to have potential benefits to multiple systems of the body, including cardiovascular and brain health, which is likely due to the antioxidant content.
The good news is you can get all the perks of pop (and more) by switching to tea. Tea is a healthy alternative to soda that packs a punch of caffeine and a variety of other health benefits. You may be thinking, “Well that sounds great, but tea isn't nearly as sweet or refreshing as a Diet Coke.” Think again.
"You may think you're choosing a healthier option when you grab a bottle of iced tea instead of a soda, but in many cases, you're getting about as much sugars," says Amy Keating, R.D., a nutritionist at Consumer Reports.
Tea - iced or hot
Tea's broad variety of flavor profiles, caffeine levels, and seasonally appropriate temperatures make it a great soda alternative for just about anyone. Some teas also provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Diet drinks have no nutritional benefits. Switching to iced tea which contains polyphenol antioxidants can provide health benefits. Iced tea without sweetener (sugar or artificial sweeteners) is a delicious alternative to diet soda.
Diet soda may have no calories, but it has no nutritious value either. Besides, it may contain many artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors, preservatives and other ingredients. On the other hand, pure tea usually contains none of the additives. Even flavored teas may be a better choice.
2 colas = 1 tea.
1. Water. Hydrating, inexpensive and sugar-free: water is the best choice for drinking over the day. If you want to give it some flavour without adding sugar, try adding ice cubes and fresh mint or strips of cucumber.
Unfortunately, with large amounts of sugar and a low pH, sweet tea is terrible for our teeth. Research shows that many iced tea brands are much worse than soda, and similarly to pop, it can be a hard habit to break.
Numerous studies have shown that a variety of teas may boost your immune system, fight off inflammation, and even ward off cancer and heart disease. While some brews provide more health advantages than others, there's plenty of evidence that regularly drinking tea can have a lasting impact on your wellness.
Coke and Diet Coke are generally lower in caffeine than other caffeinated beverages, including energy drinks, coffee and tea.
Water is the best choice for quenching your thirst. Coffee and tea, without added sweeteners, are healthy choices, too. Some beverages should be limited or consumed in moderation, including fruit juice, milk, and those made with low-calorie sweeteners, like diet drinks.
Coffee contains more antioxidants
Both coffee and tea contain antioxidants — chemical compounds that may reduce your risk of certain conditions like cancer or diabetes. "Coffee has more antioxidants generally than tea preparations," says Chow.
Antioxidants. Coffee has its advantages, but tea wins in the war of the antioxidants. While green tea is most commonly associated with antioxidants, white tea actually contains more. Coffee also contains antioxidants, but in a much lower concentration than white tea.
Number One: Hype Energy Drink
The worst soft drink for your health might well be Hype, a carbonated energy drink that contains 160 mg of caffeine in a 16-oz. can and an industry leading 8.4 g of sugar per oz. The sugar is derived entirely from high fructose corn syrup.
Best Choice: Water
Water is essential for your body. It prevents dehydration, constipation, and kidney stones. Plus, with no calories, it's the best beverage for your waistline. If you add 1 to 3 cups of water a day to your diet, you could end up taking in less fat, salt, sugar, and up to 200 fewer calories per day.
“Healthy coke” refers to a very simple combination of sparkling seltzer water and balsamic vinegar. TikTok user Amanda Jones, a California-based actor, made the drink a viral sensation after posting a video of her making it to her account. She says the idea for the mixture came from her Pilates instructor.
Most people can drink 3–4 cups (710–950 ml) of tea daily without adverse effects, but some may experience side effects at lower doses.
Coffee Has More Health Benefits Than Soda
At best, zero-calorie sodas have neutral health effects. At worst, the calories in sugar-laden sodas has devastating consequences on people's cardiovascular systems and waistlines. When consumed in moderation, coffee has many health benefits.
In general, black and pu-erh teas have the highest amount of caffeine, followed by oolong teas, green teas, white teas, and purple teas.
While caffeine does have a slight diuretic effect, the relatively low levels in tea won't have much of an impact on hydration levels. In fact, decaffeinated tea can be counted cup for cup toward your hydration goal because it is considered just as hydrating as plain water.