Sports Drinks, Soda and Sweet Tea

Over the past 17 years the amount of sugar intake in Americans has increased by 28%, with about a third of it coming from drinks. Water used to be the most common option to re-hydrate after exercising. Now the stores are stocked with energy and sports drinks that are loaded with sugar and caffeine, which the bulk of the calories come from the sugar content. The typical serving size for sport and energy drinks are 16 oz., which means we could be consuming from 160-300 calories after our hard workout defeating the purpose of our efforts. Sugary drinks increase the levels of fasting glucose and insulin resistance- two signs of pre diabetes.  High sugar fructose goes under a process to increase its fructose levels and is metabolized more readily to form triglycerides in the liver, which can raise triglycerides in blood levels. It takes 20 minutes for the pH levels to get back to neutral (7.0) after the consumption of sugar.

What about the acids levels that can harm the dental enamel? Battery acid pH Level is 1, Lemonade pH is 2.50, Gatorade 2.95 and diet Coke is 3.39. These energy and sport drinks can cause 3 to 11 times more damage to the enamel then Cola based drinks, with energy drinks and bottled lemonade causing the most harm to dental enamel. Studies show that most Cola based drinks contain one or more acids, usually phosphoric and citric acids, but sports drinks contain additives and organic acids that can advance dental erosion. Diet Cola may be less in sugar, but the phosphoric and citric acids are also very low in pH levels.

** If you have acid reflux (GERD) please let us know as this can also cause dental erosion and you could benefit from fluoride

What are the alternatives?

 Water is best pH 7.0

 reduce the size of the drink

Calorie free flavored water

Brew tea pH 7.2 or coffee pH 5.5- with NO  or very little sugar

Don’t stock it in the house Choose beverages with low or no calories,

Infuse water with cucumber or fruits 

Home carbonating system- the flavors contain less sugar, calories, carbohydrates, and sodium and do NOT contain high- fructose corn syrup.