Except making you gain weight. Said a federal judge, the colored drinks are “non-carbonated fruit coke disguised as a sports drink.” So now that you’ve loaded up the landfill with the remaining bottles (or at least poured them down the drain and recycled the plastic — please), what can you drink in its place?
- Sparkling Mineral Water. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found drinking this can decrease your risk of heart disease and improve your cholesterol. Even the sodium in the drinks wasn’t found to affect blood pressure negatively.
- Vegetable Juice. Usually high in fiber and less sugary than fruit juices, these give you the flavors plus all the benefits of the veggies. Make your own for the best results.
- Green Tea. It’s been found to do everything from fight cancer to boost your heart health. Just watch out for added sugars especially in cold varieties.
- Black Coffee. With recent evidence that caffeine can actually help ward off Alzheimer’s disease, plus serving as the number one way Americans get antioxidants, your morning cuppa could extend to the afternoon. Even moderate coffee drinking has been OK’d during pregnancy.
- Plain Old Water. There’s nothing like the real thing — and you should be drinking eight to nine cups of it a day. After all, the body is 60 percent water, and even mild dehydration can leave you feeling groggy. Were you a Vitaminwater fan? Image via Pink Sherbet Photography/Flickr
