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Thirst Quenchers

We are experiencing an exceptionally hot summer. Although we know water is the best drink to quench the thirst, we are always looking for something different and exciting as a substitute for water, to spice things up. We often associate the words “Organic, Aloe, Coconut, and Slimmer’s Choice” with health. We assume that these drinks should be healthier compared to the average soft drink on the market that contain sugar. Although a variety of foods contribute to the development of obesity, the contribution of soft drinks has proved to be significant. A closer look at these apparently “healthy” drinks can assist us in deciding whether they are beneficial or not.

Iced Teas
BOS Organic Rooibos Lime and Ginger Ice Tea Slimmer’s Choice Berry Ceylon Ice tea
 Bos 275 ml serving  Ceylon 350 ml serving
This drink provides 358 kJ of energy and 18 g (3 1/2 teaspoons) of sugar per serving This drink provides 249 kJ of energy and 19 g (4 teaspoons) of sugar per serving
Interesting to note that although the energy value is lower than the  normal Ice tea the sugar content is the same
Peach flavoured Ceylon Ice Tea Manhattan Black Ice Tea Lite
 Peach 250 ml serving  Manhattan 500 ml serving
This drinks provides 348 kJ of energy and 19 g (4 teaspoons) of sugar  per serving This drink provides zero kilojoules of energy and zero amount of sugar per serving

Flavoured waters
Vita Coco Coconut Water Vitamin water
 Coconut 330 ml serving  Vitamin 500 ml serving
This drink provides

238 kJ of energy and

15 g (3 teaspoons) of

Sugar per serving

 This drink provides 495 kJ of energy and 27 g (5 teaspoons) of sugar per serving.

The vitamins provided are insignificant
Aloe Vera with Honey Light Aloe Vera with Honey
 Aloe Light 500 ml serving  Aloe 500 ml serving
This drink provides 504 kJ of energy and 30 g (6 teaspoons) of sugar per serving This drink provides 126 kJ of energy  and 14 g (2 Teaspoons) of sugar  per serving
The nutritional analyses above prove most drinks contain significant amounts of sugar. Contrary to the sugar in foods such as fresh fruit that contain fibre, the sugar in liquids gets quickly absorbed into the blood stream causing blood sugar highs and dips that inhibit the maintenance of optimal energy levels.

Artificial sweeteners are used in the manufacturing of ‘Lite’ drinks. Despite the detrimental health claims regarding sweeteners on popular websites, no scientific evidence to date, have proved these claims to be true.