5 Drinks That Should Be Avoided to Keep the Heart Healthy

Illustration of sweet drinks. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Maintaining heart health is not only about regular exercise, but also paying attention to what is consumed every day, including drinks. Without realizing it, some types of drinks that seem "safe" can actually have a negative impact on cardiovascular health if consumed excessively.

Cornell University-trained health expert Vassily Eliopoulos revealed that there are a number of drinks that should be limited to help maintain heart health and prevent the body from deteriorating faster.

Here is a list of drinks to watch out for:

1. Diet soda drinks

Although often considered healthier because of their low sugar content, diet sodas actually contain artificial sweeteners that can trigger an insulin response. In addition, regular consumption also has the potential to disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders.

"They also change the composition of your gut microbiome and, in large studies, are independently associated with cardiovascular events," said Vass.

2. Sports drinks

This type of drink is generally high in calories and often contains artificial coloring. In fact, not everyone needs it. According to Vass, only athletes with intense physical activity for a long time really need this additional intake.

"Water and electrolytes do their job without causing metabolic damage," he said.

3. Packaged fruit juice

Even though it comes from fruit, juice is not always healthier. Without fiber content, juice is actually a source of "liquid sugar" that is quickly absorbed by the body and can trigger a spike in blood sugar.

"This is liquid sugar without fiber. Believe it or not, in most studies, this drink raises blood sugar levels faster than soda. This causes triglycerides to increase and chronically trains your pancreas to produce insulin excessively," he explained.

4. Sweet coffee drinks

Coffee basically has benefits, but the extra added sugar can turn it into a high-calorie drink. In fact, one glass of latte can contain dozens of grams of sugar.

"It's like a dessert in a cup every morning, which is enveloped in a health aura because it contains coffee," he said.

5. Excessive alcohol

Alcohol consumption should be very limited. Vass recommends no more than two glasses per month to maintain heart health. Excessive consumption can increase blood pressure, disrupt sleep quality, and trigger inflammation in the body.