The Best Drinks for Your Heart and 2 to Avoid, According to Cardiologists
TODAY.com • • health
Key Points:
- Consuming sugary, chemical-laden, and stimulant-containing beverages can contribute to weight gain and increase cardiovascular disease risk, while healthy hydration supports heart health by reducing cardiac workload.
- The American College of Cardiology recommends water and unsweetened beverages as the best choices for cardiovascular wellness, with moderate coffee and tea intake (2-5 cups daily) linked to lower cardiometabolic risk.
- Alcohol and sugar-sweetened drinks are strongly associated with higher risks of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and should be limited or avoided for better cardiovascular outcomes.
- Unfiltered coffee varieties raise LDL cholesterol due to cafestol content, so filtered coffee is preferred, and diet drinks' long-term effects on heart health remain unclear.
- Experts advise avoiding energy drinks due to stimulants and sugar, and caution against starting alcohol consumption for health benefits, recommending moderation if consumed.
