Different Kinds of Beverages: The Benefits and Ill-Effects

Are you a fan of alcohol? Or perhaps coffee? Maybe tea? Drinking is one of the most vital processes we need to sustain our bodies and to keep waste out of our system. Drinks have also been a way to quench the thirst of man, figuratively speaking. The world offers a wide array of beverages you could choose from. Whatever your taste buds prefer, there’s a drink for you.

Numerous beverages exist today and all are loved by different audiences but to bring you into a deeper understanding of your beverages, we have looked for the most common drinks in the market along with their benefits and ill-effects. This way, you may consider trying new things or take precautions in sipping any of the following.

Alcohol

BENEFITS

Contrary to popular belief, alcohol is actually one of the healthiest drinks one could ever encounter and to prove this to you, The Hygeian Chronicles whipped up some reasons why you should take a sip or two of those age-old drinks you have in the storage room. 

• Alcohol Decreases Chance of a Heart Disease : It has been found that alcohol raises levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL, or 'good' cholesterol and higher HDL levels are associated with greater protection against heart disease. Moderate alcohol consumption has also been linked with beneficial changes ranging from better sensitivity to insulin to improvements in factors that influence blood clotting which lowers the chance developing clots that might lead to strokes.

• Adds Years to Your Life: Drinking occasionally could add a few years to your life. A study by the Catholic University of Campobasso reported that drinking less than four or two drinks per day for men and women respectively could reduce the risk of death by 18 percent, as reported by Reuters.

• Helps Fight the Common Cold: The Department of Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University found that while susceptibility to the common cold was increased by smoking, moderate alcohol consumption led to a decrease in common cold cases for nonsmokers. This study was conducted in 1993 with 391 adults. In 2002, according to the New York Times, Spanish researchers found that by drinking eight to 14 glasses of wine per week, particularly red wine, one could see a 60-percent reduction in the risk of developing a cold. The scientists suspected that this had something to do with the antioxidant properties of wine.

• Decreases Risk Of Developing Dementia: In a study that included more than 365,000 participants since 1977, as reported in the journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, moderate drinkers were 23 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. "Small amounts of alcohol might, in effect, make brain cells more fit. Alcohol in moderate amounts stresses cells and thus toughens them up to cope with major stresses down the road that could cause dementia," said Edward J. Neafsey, Ph.D., co-author of the study, as reported by Science Daily. 

ILL EFFECTS

Now that you’ve read about the pros, let us remind you that in order to achieve the best out of this drink, it should always be taken in moderation, anything in excess is bad! In addition to that, these benefits account mostly for red wine and not all the alcoholic drinks there are in the market, so control is always needed in order to not end up with the  disastrous effects of alcohols which follow next. Here’s how alcohol can affect your body, if you're drinking too much – on a single occasion or over time:

• Brain: Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways, and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior, and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination.

• Heart: Drinking a lot over a long time or too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, causing problems including: 

                 Ø  Cardiomyopathy – Stretching and drooping of heart muscle
                 Ø  Arrhythmias – Irregular heart beat
                 Ø  Stroke
                 Ø  High blood pressure 

•  Liver: Heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, and can lead to a variety of problems and liver inflammations including: 

                 Ø  Steatosis, or fatty liver
                 Ø  Alcoholic hepatitis
                 Ø  Fibrosis – the scarring of connective tissues in the body
                 Ø  Cirrhosis – the scarring of the liver 

• Pancreas: Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis, a dangerous inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion. 

•  Cancer: Drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of developing certain cancers, one reason involves acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical that the body makes when it breaks down alcohol. Acetaldehyde can directly affect normal cells by damaging DNA, which can lead to cancer including those of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver and breast.

• Immune System: Drinking too much can weaken your immune system, making your body a much easier target for disease.  Chronic drinkers are more liable to contract diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis than people who do not drink too much.  Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to ward off infections – even up to 24 hours after getting drunk.

Milk

BENEFITS

The fat content of milk significantly affects its caloric level. In the U.S., whole milk provides about 144 calories and 8-9 grams of fat per 8-ounce serving. The same size serving of 2% milk contains about half as much fat (about 5 grams) and 120 calories per 8-ounce serving. Skim milk is virtually fat-free and contains about 88 calories per 8-ounce serving. 

Milk is an excellent source of calcium and good source of other essential nutrients, including vitamin D, potassium, vitamin B12, riboflavin, phosphorus and protein.An 8-ounce glass of milk contains 300 mg of calcium, or about one-third of the daily recommended calcium intake for adults under the age of 50. In the U.S., cow’s milk is uniformly fortified with vitamin D to a level of 25% of the Daily Value per 8-ounce serving. More benefits include:

• Glowing Skin: Some people actually take a milk bath for a supple, healthy glowing skin, but some just drink a few glasses of whole milk each day to get the skin you want. Milk has several nutrients which help skin look its best. Lactic acid contained in its can act as an exfoliant and enzymes to help smooth skin. It also has amino acids that help keep skin moisturized. Milk can help prevent damage from environmental toxins because it has antioxidants. 

• Healthy Bones and Teeth: People of all ages need milk; children should drink it to develop strong bones and adults need it to maintain bones strength and to prevent osteoporosis. Milk is also great for strong teeth, and it helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. In order for the calcium to be absorbed by the body, vitamin D must be present. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, buy milk that is fortified with extra vitamin D to ensure that your body absorbs the calcium. 

• Muscles: Milk contains protein, which helps to rebuild muscles. After exercise, drink milk to replenish and recover from the strenuous activity. It will help to keep soreness at bay and help you regain fluids that you lost during your workout. 

• Weight Loss: Studies show that women who drink low-fat or skim milk lose more weight than those who exclude milk from their diet. It is a great appetizer and it makes a healthy snack. Add a glass to your dinner, or drink a glass while eating a piece of fruit.

• Less Stress: Milk is a great way to de-stress at the end of the day. A glass of warm milk will help to relax tense muscles and soothe frayed nerves. Milk has also been proven to reduce symptoms of PMS and boost energy. The next time you are feeling frazzled, try drinking. 

• Healthy Body: Milk has properties that lower high blood pressure and risk of strokes. It reduces the liver’s production of cholesterol, and it can act as an antacid. Vitamins A and B in milk can help build good eyesight. Milk has also been show to help lower risk of certain cancers.

ILL-EFFECTS

The disadvantages of milk are a little-known fact to most people. Despite the numerous health benfits we could get from milk, this much-loved drink is still not advisable for some people because of some reasons:

• Hormones: To boost the milk-producing capacity of their cows, farmers put hormones in their animals which appear to be alarming to some due to the possibility that these hormones can increase the risk of developing prostate, colorectal and breast cancer. Although conflicting results have been produced about this problem, consumers are still advised to take precautions. 

• Saturated Fat: Unless you drink skim milk, your glass of milk will contain saturated fat, which can increase levels of cholesterol. A 1-cup serving of whole milk contains 9 grams of total fat, which includes 6 grams of saturated fat. Two percent, or reduced fat milk, has about half the amount of total and saturated fat as whole milk, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database. If you choose 1 percent milk, the fats drop to 2.4 grams of total fat and 2 grams of saturated fat. The American Heart Association recommends limiting your saturated fat intake to less than 7 percent of your total daily calories.

• Allergies: If you have a milk allergy, the proteins in milk will trigger a reaction that includes rashes, itching, hives, swelling, and trouble breathing; at times, the reaction leads to death. An allergy to cow's milk is the most common food allergy in infants and children, according to Food Allergy Research and Education. While most children outgrow their milk allergy it can persist into adulthood. The only way to avoid symptoms is to eliminate cow's milk and milk products. 

• Lactose Intolerance: Lactose is a sugar naturally found in milk. If you're lactose intolerant, you lack the enzyme needed to digest lactose. When you consume milk you may experience symptoms such as cramps, gas, bloating, nausea and diarrhea. Lactose intolerance is relatively common and more likely to occur in adulthood than childhood, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Soy Milk

BENEFITS

Soy milk, which is made from soaking, grinding and boiling soy beans with water, is a very nutritious drink. Soy is naturally high in essential fatty acids, proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals. These nutrients provide energy and keep your body functioning at its optimum level. Below are the six most important health benefits you can acquire from drinking soy milk.

As the taste of commercial soy milk improves more and more people are drinking it as enjoyment. But many people drink soy milk for the added health benefits. So what are the benefits of drinking soy milk as compared to cow's milk?

·     Soy milk contains no lactose

About 75 percent of the world population cannot tolerate lactose. Some ethnic groups are more affected than others. For example 75 percent of Africans and 90 percent of Asians have lactose intolerance. 

 As an additional benefit, soy milk contains the prebiotic sugars stachyose and raffinose. These prebiotic sugars boost immunity and help decrease toxic substances in the body.

·         Fewer people are allergic to soy milk

Only 0.5 percent of the children are allergic to soy milk, whereas 2.5 percent is allergic to cow's milk.

·         Soy milk reduces cholesterol

The saturated fats in cow's milk are unhealthy and increase your cholesterol. The protein in cow's milk has no benefits for the cholesterol. Soy protein can decrease cholesterol levels. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration of US) confirms that soy protein, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart. The FDA recommends to incorporate 25 grams of soy protein in your daily meals.

·         Soy milk contains no hormones

Cow's milk contains natural hormones (from the cow) but also synthetic hormones, which can influence the good working of our own body. The synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) increase milk production by as much as 20 percent.

·         Soy milk does not cause insulin dependent diabetes

Although no general consensus exists among scientists, some studies have shown an association between drinking cow's milk in early life and the development of insulin dependent diabetes. This association does not exist with soy milk.

·         It Promotes Weight Loss

Soy milk is naturally lower in sugar content than regular milk. Cow's milk has about 12 grams of sugar per cup as opposed to only 7 grams in soy milk. This is why a cup of whole soy milk has only 80 calories, which is the equivalent of skim milk. In addition, the monounsaturated fatty acid in soy milk can inhibit your intestinal absorption of fat, which is another great advantage for weight loss. Drinking soy milk also gives you an extra dose of fiber, keeping your feeling fuller for longer time.

ILL-EFFECTS

Soy milk comes in a variety of flavors, all touting a myriad of health benefits, from preventing heart disease and cancer to alleviating menopause symptoms. According to a 2006 article in “Environmental Health Perspectives” evidence is not conclusive on how soy compounds act in the human body, so no health benefits are guaranteed. Extensive use of soy milk may have unwanted side effects.

·         Estrogen and Testosterone Levels

Soy milk contains phytochemicals called isoflavones. Phytochemicals are plant compounds known for their disease-fighting abilities. The isoflavones block the body’s natural estrogen and take away the protective effect estrogen levels have against breast and uterine cancers before menopause. They may also promote hormone-sensitive cancers in certain people. In men, soy lowers testosterone levels leading to a decreased sex drive.

·         Sinus and Digestive Problems

According to certified clinical nutritionist Lauren Talbot, soy blocks the enzymes the body needs for digestion. While soy contains protein, there is also a substance in soy that inhibits protein digestion. This can cause bloating, indigestion and constipation. After the body breaks down soy, it leaves a mucus-like coating in the gastrointestinal tract, which slows digestive and respiratory systems and causes excess mucus. Over time, this can lead to sinus problems, asthma exacerbation, colds and irritable bowel syndrome.

·         Thyroid Function

The isoflavones in soy milk deplete iodine levels in the body, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Without adequate iodine, the thyroid can’t function properly and you can develop hypothyroidism. A 2006 article published in “Thyroid” states that people with an underactive thyroid or low iodine intake are at risk for hypothyroidism if they consume soy products. Most Americans get a sufficient amount of iodine, but have your thyroid checked if you drink a lot of soy milk. If you have hypothyroidism, speak with your physician about adjusting your medication.

JUICES

Juice, may it be 100% fruit or vegetable juice or not is a common drink to the public because it is less costly than other beverages while offering health benefits at the same time. Due to the rising craze of 100% fresh we have focused on the benefits and ill-effects of this to the body.

BENEFITS

There are three main reasons why you will want to consider incorporating vegetable juicing into your optimal health program:

·         Juicing helps you absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. 

This is important because most of us have impaired digestion as a result of making less-than-optimal food choices over many years. This limits your body's ability to absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. Juicing will help to "pre-digest" them for you, so you will receive most of the nutrition, rather than having it go down the toilet.

·      Juicing allows you to consume an optimal amount of vegetables in an efficient manner. 

If you are a carb type, you should eat one pound of raw vegetables per 50 pounds of body weight per day. Some people may find eating that many vegetables difficult, but it can be easily accomplished with a quick glass of vegetable juice.

·         You can add a wider variety of vegetables in your diet. 

Many people eat the same vegetable salads every day. This violates the principle of regular food rotation and increases your chance of developing an allergy to a certain food. But with juicing, you can juice a wide variety of vegetables that you may not normally enjoy eating whole.

ILL-EFFECTS

Lack of Vitamins

Food experts say that 100 percent fruit juice has vitamin C and perhaps vitamin A, potassium and calcium, depending on the brand and product. For the full benefits of nutrition in fruit, though, you need fresh fruit rather than fruit juice.

Lack of Fiber

The body needs fiber to function well. Drinking fruit juice instead of eating fresh fruit may deprive you of enough fiber in your diet. Fiber is important if you are making efforts to stay fit and avoid excess weight. Fiber is what enables you to digest food slowly. Eating a crispy Granny Smith applesatisfies your desire to snack better than do a few gulps of apple juice; the apple is also more filling so that you don't feel hungry seconds later.

The Pulp

 When you "juice" fresh fruit, you remove the pulp, which is valuable because of its flavonoids. Researchers find that flavonoids may decrease your risk of cancer. 

The Skin

Nutrition in fruit resides not only in the flesh but in the skin. Grapes, apples and pears are good examples of fruit with health-bearing skins. The skin of grapes has properties, for example, that reduce your risk of cancer. You lose out on the full nutrition value of pears if you replace that fruit with pear juice, because pear skin has vitamin C.

 COFFEE

Coffee is available in many varieties including caffeinated, decaffeinated, brewed, roasted, instant, flavored, iced and ready-to-drink. Plain coffee and espresso do not provide calories and but can contain trace amounts of vitamins and minerals primarily from the water used in brewing. However, cream, milk, sugar or other popular flavorings like chocolate and syrups commonly added to coffee can contribute significant calories. While a 12-ounce cup of coffee contains zero calories, the same size mocha latte coffee provides about 340 calories. Coffee also contains caffeine. Depending on how it is brewed, an 8-ounce serving of regular drip coffee provides about 104 -192 mg of caffeine. A 1.5-ounce ‘shot’ of espresso contains between 30 to 100 mg. Even decaffeinated coffee contains a small amount of caffeine, about 2 to 4 mg per 8 ounce serving. 

Coffee is normally known to be drank only by people of old age especially in other parts of the world but we believe that people should think twice and give this wonder drink a try as it is one of the healthiest drinks in the planet, and to prove you that, 11 benefits of coffee are listed below.

·         Coffee Improves Energy Levels and Can Make You More Intelligent

Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels because it contains a stimulant called caffeine, which is actually the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. After you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, it travels into the brain. In the brain, caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine. When that happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine actually increases, leading to enhanced firing of neurons.

·         It Can Help You Burn Fat

Caffeine is one of the very few natural substances that have actually been proven to aid fat burning. Several studies show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by 3-11%. Other studies show that caffeine can specifically increase the burning of fat, by as much as 10% in obese individuals and 29% in lean people.

·         It Can Improve Physical Performance

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, causing it to send signals to the fat cells to break down body fat. But caffeine also increases Epinephrine (Adrenaline) levels in the blood which is the “fight or flight” hormone, designed to make our bodies ready for intense physical exertion. Caffeine makes the fat cells break down body fat, releasing them into the blood as free fatty acids and making them available as fuel.

Given these effects, it is not surprising to see that caffeine can improve physical performance by 11-12%, on average.

·         There Are Essential Nutrients in Coffee

Unlike other drinks, the essences of the coffee bean, including the nutrients also make their way down to the drink despite the different process the beans go through,  these nutrients include (as measured in a single cup of coffee):

Ø  Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA.

Ø  Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA.

Ø  Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA.

Ø  Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA.

If you drink 3-4, then these amounts quickly add up.

·         Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a huge issue in the medical field and is currently afflicting about 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by elevated blood sugars in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to secrete insulin.

For some reason, coffee drinkers have a significantly reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The studies show that people who drink the most coffee have a 23-50% lower risk of getting this disease, one study showing a reduction as high as 67% . According to a massive review that looked at data from 18 studies with a total of 457,922 individuals, each daily cup of coffee was associated with a 7% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

·         Coffee May Protect You From Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia worldwide and is affecting people over 65 years of age. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s. However, there are several things you can do to prevent the disease from showing up in the first place which  includes the usual suspects like eating healthy and exercising, but drinking coffee may be incredibly effective as well.

Several studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease.

·         Coffee Appears to Have Protective Effects on The Liver

Several common diseases primarily affect the liver, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and others.

Many of these diseases can lead to a condition called cirrhosis, in which the liver has been largely replaced by scar tissue.

It turns out that coffee may protect against cirrhosis. People who drink 4 or more cups per day have up to an 80% lower risk.

·         Coffee Can Fight Depression and Make You Happier

Depression is a serious mental disorder that causes a significantly reduced quality of life.

In a Harvard study published in 2011, women who drank 4 or more cups per day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed.

Another study with 208,424 individuals found that those who drank 4 or more cups per day were 53% less likely to commit suicide.

ILL-EFFECTS

You can’t always have it all. Along with those numerous benefits mentioned above are the disadvantages you get from coffee, some occur when you take it in large amounts.

·             Coffee and Hydrochloric Acid

      Drinking coffee on an empty stomach, such as first thing in the morning, stimulates hydrochloric acid production. This can be a problem because HCl should only be produced to digest meals. If your body has to make HCl more often in response to regular cups of coffee, it may have difficulty producing enough to deal with a large meal.

·             Ulcers, IBS and Acidity

Many of the compounds in coffee like caffeine and the various acids found in coffee beans can irritate your stomach and the lining of your small intestine. It’s known to be a problem for those suffering from ulcers, gastritis, IBS and Crohn’s disease and doctors generally advise patients with these conditions to avoid coffee completely. 

Drinking coffee can also irritate the lining of the small intestine, potentially leading to abdominal spasms, cramps and elimination problems, often alternating between constipation and diarrhea. This condition is known as irritable bowel syndrome and more and more people are being diagnosed with it in recent years.

·         Heartburn Problems

Acid reflux and heartburn can be caused by coffee due to the way it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter. This small muscle should remain tightly closed once you’ve eaten to prevent the contents of your stomach from coming back into the esophagus and burning its delicate lining with hydrochloric acid.

Even decaf regularly causes heartburn problems for some people and researchers think other compounds in coffee can also contribute to acid reflux problems.

·         Mineral Absorption, Your Kidneys and Coffee

Heavy coffee drinkers may have difficulty getting enough minerals in their diet, even if they eat mineral rich foods or take supplements. This is due to the way coffee affects iron absorption in your stomach and particularly your kidneys ability to retain calcium, zinc, magnesium and other important minerals.

·         Coffee, Stress and Tension

Drinking lots of coffee will promote the release of the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These chemicals increase your body’s heart rate, blood pressure and tension levels – the old ‘fight or flight’ response.

Turning on the stress hormones with a cup of coffee when you’re eating also interferes with the digestive process. When you’re in ‘fight or flight’ mode, your body will divert its resources to being ready for a potential threat and digestion suffers as a result.

The caffeine in coffee is known to interfere with GABA metabolism. Gamma-aminobutyric acid  is a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood and stress levels. It should also have a calming effect on the gastrointestinal tract.

Your mood and your digestive system are surprisingly interrelated. Unfortunately, when you drink a lot of coffee the high levels of caffeine in it can negatively affect both of them.

 TEA

Teas come in many varieties including herbal, caffeinated, iced, sweet, instant and ready to drink.Like coffee, tea does not provide calories, carbohydrates, protein or fat. Teas, particularly green and black, are good sources of flavonoids, substances believed to have antioxidant properties. 

·        Tea contains antioxidants

Like the Rust-Oleum paint that keeps your outdoor furniture from rusting, tea's antioxidants protect your body from the ravages of aging and the effects of pollution.

·        Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke

 Unwanted blood clots formed from cholesterol and blood platelets cause heart attack and stroke. Drinking tea may help keep your arteries smooth and clog-free, the same way a drain keeps your bathroom pipes clear. A 5.6-year study from the Netherlands found a 70 percent lower risk of fatal heart attack in people who drank at least two to three cups of black tea daily compared to non-tea drinkers.

·     Tea protects your bones

It's not just the milk added to tea that builds strong bones. One study that compared tea drinkers with non-drinkers, found that people who drank tea for 10 or more years had the strongest bones, even after adjusting for age, body weight, exercise, smoking and other risk factors. The authors suggest that this may be the work of tea's many beneficial phytochemicals.

·        Tea gives you a sweet smile

 One look at the grimy grin of Austin Powers and you may not think drinking tea is good for your teeth, but think again. It's the sugar added to it that's likely to blame for England's bad dental record. Tea itself actually contains fluoride and tannins that may keep plaque at bay. So add unsweetened tea drinking to your daily dental routine of brushing and flossing for healthier teeth and gums.

·        Tea bolsters your immune defenses

 Drinking tea may help your body's immune system fight off infection. When 21 volunteers drank either five cups of tea or coffee each day for four weeks, researchers saw higher immune system activity in the blood of the tea drinkers.

·        Tea protects against cancer

Thank the polyphenols, the antioxidants found in tea, once again for their cancer-fighting effects. While the overall research is inconclusive, there are enough studies that show the potential protective effects of drinking tea to make adding tea to your list of daily beverages.

·        Tea increases your metabolism

Lots of people complain about a slow metabolic rate and their inability to lose weight. Green tea has been shown to actually increase metabolic rate so that you can burn 70 to 80 additional calories by drinking just five cups of green tea per day. Over a year's time you could lose eight pounds just by drinking green tea. Of course, taking a 15-minute walk every day will also burn calories.

ILL-EFFECTS

·         Anxiety and Restlessness

When thinking about the side effects of tea, consider the drink's caffeine content. According to MedlinePlus, a cup of tea can often have between 14 and 60 milligrams of caffeine, which is less than the caffeine found in coffee. However, it could provide a noticeable jolt of energy for some people. Although caffeine affects people differently, too much tea can lead to anxiety, restlessness and difficulty sleeping.

·         Disruption of Sleep

Caffeine can have a mild diuretic effect, but typically only if you have 5 to 8 cups of tea after you haven't had tea for a long period of time. In general, tea isn't a diuretic if you drink it moderately. Although you might know to skip the caffeinated tea before bed in favor of a type of tea that doesn't contain caffeine, the fluid intake before bed might cause you to have to urinate during the night. Although this side effect of the beverage is mild, it could lead to sleep disruptions and subsequent fatigue.

·         Skeletal Fluorosis

Drinking too much tea may lead to skeletal fluorosis, a painful condition in your bones, according to "The New England Journal of Medicine." A 2013 article in the journal cited the case of a woman with this condition who drank excessive amounts of black tea for nearly two decades. Black tea contains fluoride, which has the potential of harming your bones if you consume it in large amounts for a lengthy period of time. Moderate tea consumption, however, has minimal risk.

SOFT DRINKS

Soft drinks are non-alcoholic carbonated beverages containing flavorings, sweeteners and other ingredients. Depending on the sweetener used, soft drinks may or may not contain calories. Soft drinks include regular, diet, low-calorie, mid-calorie, flavored, caffeinated and caffeine-free drinks. Soft drinks are carbonated by adding carbon dioxide into a beverage solution under pressure.

It has been an established fact that using large amounts of soft drinks regularly can be detrimental to your health but if used in moderation soft drinks can have some beneficial effects on your body.

Caffeine Benefits

      Caffeine is a stimulant that is found in soft drinks. It large amounts can have detrimental effects on your health but it also has numerous benefits. Caffeine stimulates your central nervous system, helps breakdown fatty acids in your liver, boost your mood and alleviate headaches. People who regularly ingest caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson's disease, colon cancer, gallstones, and cirrhosis of the liver.

Carbonated Water

     Carbonated water is a primary ingredient of soft drinks. Carbonated water was created by Joseph Priestly in the year 1767 and has since proven to have many benefits for the gastrointestinal tract. Carbonated water eases stomachaches, quells nausea and has been proven to alleviate constipation.

Sodium Benefits

Sodium is another product found in soft drinks. Sodium is an important mineral found in almost all natural foods. Sodium helps your body retain water, helps avoid and treat muscle cramps, keeps electrolyte balance, prevents the effects of aging of your skin and prevents the drop of your blood pressure.

ILL-EFFECTS

Linked to Fatty Liver
Researchers at the Ziv Medical Center in Israel set out to determine the role of soft drink consumption in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, which occurs when fat builds up in the liver. The team found that 80 percent of people with NAFLD who were free of other risk factors consumed excess soft drinks. The team asserted that soft drink consumption was the only independent variable able to predict fatty liver presence in 82.5 percent of cases. The study was published in the October 2008 issue of the "Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology."

Linked to Weight Gain

Yale University researchers analyzed 88 studies to determine the health effects of soft drink consumption. The team found evidence that soft drink consumption led to excess energy intake not just from providing extra calories but also through appetite stimulation. The researchers hypothesize that the rapid rise in blood sugar that soft drinks cause stimulates hunger. The team found a direct link to soft drink consumption and weight gain. The review was published in the April 2007 edition of the "American Journal of Public Health."

Diet Drinks Aren't the Answer

If you're considering switching to diet soft drinks, you may want to think again. Diet soda intake is linked to adverse health effects, according to University of Texas researchers. The team found that consuming as little as one diet soda daily is linked to a 36-percent greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome and a 67 percent increased risk for Type 2 diabetes. The results from the study are published in the April 2009 issue of the journal "Diabetes Care."

It's better to decrease your soft drink intake and increase the amount of water you consume on a daily basis. Try carrying a refillable water bottle with you so that you have something to drink when thirst hits. If you need a hint of flavor, try adding slices of fruit to your water to infuse it with flavor. Watermelon, lemon, lime and peach are good options. You can even add a splash of 100 percent fruit juice to sparkling water for a refreshing boost in flavor.

ENERGY DRINKS

The ingredients and nutrient content of various brands of energy drinks varies considerably. Energy drinks provide carbohydrates and caffeine and some contain B vitamins, amino acids and herbal extracts such as gingko.Although the caffeine content varies by brand, the typical energy drink provides about 70 to 85 mg of caffeine per eight-ounce serving.

BENEFITS

The Card Content

As an athlete, or someone focused on increasing fitness levels and endurance, you can gain benefits from the carb content of energy drinks. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations' Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, most energy drinks are carb-based, containing between 18 and 25 grams of carbohydrate per 8 ounces. The Australian Institute of Sports Nutrition site notes that these carbs help replenish energy stores, potentially leading to increased energy, performance and recovery.

Caffeine Kick

Most energy drinks contain caffeine, which acts as a powerful ergogenic aid in boosting performance. Endurance athletes will benefit most from caffeine intake around exercise time, notes Jennifer McDaniel, a specialist in sports dietetics and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A typical energy drink contains around 80 milligrams of caffeine per 250-milliliter can -- which is slightly more than 8.5 ounces. The recommended safe intake of caffeine is 300 to 400 milligrams per day.

Enter the Electroytes

When you sweat, your body doesn't just lose water -- it gets rid of electrolytes as well. Not replacing these electrolytes can lead to a drop in performance and dehydration. The Dietitians of Canada website advises looking for an energy drink that contains between 460 and 690 milligrams of sodium per liter. Those performing long-duration sports events may need slightly higher concentrations though.

ILL-EFFECTS

Sugar

The majority of energy drinks contain sugar, which is one of the most popular ingredients used to boost your energy. These energy drinks may provide a short burst of energy, but it does not last very long. Regularly consuming energy drinks may cause you to drink an unhealthy amount of sugar as well. "The New York Times" adds that children can purchase certain brands of energy drinks, which may cause them to consume unhealthy amounts of sugar also. Consuming too much sugar can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Caffeine

Another popular ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine because it can give you a burst of energy. John Hopkins Medicine reports that energy drinks can contain a staggering amount of caffeine, some with as much as 14 cans of soda. The caffeine content is not always listed on the ingredient label so you may end up consuming far more than you thought. Too much caffeine on a regular basis can cause irritability, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, increased blood pressure and rapid heartbeat, MedlinePlus.com notes.

Alcohol

Certain energy drinks contain alcohol, and all energy drinks can be combined with alcohol. If you consume an energy drink during the workday, drinking one with alcohol can decrease your productivity and may pose more serious dangers if you drive or work with tools and machinery. A review in the March 2011 issue of "Australian Family Physician" notes that drinking energy drinks with alcohol may slow down the feeling of intoxication, which can lead to heavier drinking and may increase your risk of alcohol-related injuries. Energy drinks with alcohol are a particular concern for children who may be able to purchase them even if they are under age, "The New York Times" reports.

Other Ingredients

Many brands of energy drinks include vitamins and herbs that are believed to help increase your energy level. Most of these are regulated and are considered safe for human consumption. The problem, notes Dr. Manny Alvarez, a medical correspondent with Fox News, is that the effects of mixing herbs and vitamins with caffeine is unknown. The Food and Drug Administration does not require caffeine content to be listed on the labels, so you may be consuming more than is considered safe with the other ingredients.

Like what was mentioned before, anything in excess is bad. All the drinks above are beneficial but only up to a certain extent. When abused or taken in wrong amounts, they can be detrimental to your body and instead of helping your system, they may become the culprit to a rather adverse result for you.

In conclusion, beverages, muck like the real world, is in black and white. There are good and bad effects that you can reap from such. And now that you’ve learned about those, it is but expected for you to take precautions in drinking. If discipline is observed, you will get the best out of your thirst quenchers by having the chance to enjoy the taste and good vibes of drinking while benefiting from the good health effects of your drinks.

beverageinstitute.org
www.livestrong.com
www.today.com

www.healthambition.com
www.authoritynutrition.com
www.fitday.com
www.medicaldaily.com