6 Drinks That Seem Healthy—But May Be Hurting Your Longevity, According to Dietitians

Bottled Green Juices

Packed with green vegetables like spinach, kale, and celery, these drinks look like a shortcut to better nutrition in a bottle, delivering what you assume must be a high dose of detoxifying and antioxidant-rich ingredients. But in reality, bottled green juices could be hurting your longevity efforts, says Brianna Wieser, RD, registered dietitian.

“Many commercially available green juices are fruit-forward, with apple, pineapple, or banana purée used to improve taste,” she explains. “This significantly increases the sugar content, while removing most or all of the fiber found in whole fruits and vegetables.” Without fiber, the body absorbs the natural sugars quickly, causing blood sugar spikes and crashes. “Over time, these metabolic swings can undermine efforts to maintain energy balance, cardiovascular health, and a stable weight—all of which are essential for healthy aging,” Wieser notes. You’re better off eating your greens than drinking them—but if only a green juice will do, make your own, keeping sugary fruits to a minimum.

“Natural” Energy Drinks

While some energy drinks are clearly full of sugar, others try to masquerade as healthy, “natural” beverages. “They might promise a natural energy boost or ‘clean caffeine,’ but many energy drinks are still spiked with artificial sweeteners and synthetic stimulants that can really wreak havoc on your hormones, sleep, and metabolism,” says Carrie Lupoli, board-certified nutritionist and behavioral specialist. “Even ones marketed as ‘healthy’ or ‘plant-based’ often cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, messing with your energy levels and leaving you more tired in the long run.”

Plus, because energy drinks are high in caffeine, drinking them can lead to an increase in cortisol, blood pressure, anxiety, and even risk of heart disease, especially when consumed on a regular basis, says Kim Shapira, RD, functional nutritionist. “They also give a false sense of energy when your body is really feeling fatigued,” she explains. “This strains your body and prevents you from getting the rest that you really need.” Still need a lift? Lindsay-Adler suggests matcha or unsweetened green tea instead.

Vitamin Water

Fortified with vitamins and electrolytes, these beverages seem like a great way to stay hydrated and guarantee that we get our daily vitamins. But what these products don’t advertise is that they’re very high in added sugars, Lindsay-Adler says. For example, some vitamin waters contain 26 grams of sugar—more than six teaspoons—which is similar to soda and other processed beverages, she notes. 

“Regular consumption of sugary beverages over the long term can lead to a range of health problems, including weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay,” Lindsay-Adler explains. “Additionally, the vitamins in vitamin water can break down over time and become less potent, especially water soluble vitamins. This degradation reduces their effectiveness compared to consuming vitamins from fresh, whole-food sources.” Plus, vitamin water contains vitamins that most of us already get plenty of in our diets, she points out. Instead, swap vitamin water out for water sweetened with real fruit for a healthier option.

Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented tea loaded with probiotics, often touted for its ability to support gut health, digestion, and immunity—all key elements of longevity. But despite its probiotic benefits, many bottled kombuchas are sweetened to improve palatability, with some brands containing more than 10–12 grams of sugar per serving, Wieser says. “High sugar intake is associated with a shorter lifespan and higher risk of chronic disease,” she explains. “Additionally, kombucha’s acidity can erode tooth enamel over time, and its natural caffeine and histamine content may exacerbate issues for individuals prone to anxiety, acid reflux, or food sensitivities.”

Looking for something with fizz? Try sparkling water sweetened with real fruit or shavings of ginger for something with a kick.

Plant-Based Milks

Many people turn to plant-based milks—like soy, almond, coconut, and oat milk—as an alternative to dairy when they have allergies or intolerances. “However, plant-based milks are often lower in protein than cow’s milk, and flavored options can be high in added sugars,” Lindsay-Adler says. “Compared to cow’s milk, many types of plant-based milks are lacking in important nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D.” The next time you pick up a carton of plant-based milk, be sure to check the label, and opt for one that is unsweetened.

Red Wine

For years, we’ve heard that red wine is good for us, primarily because it contains resveratrol: a polyphenol found in red wine that can decrease inflammation, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and improve blood vessel health. On top of that, resveratrol, as well as compounds called “tannins,” have been associated with preventing cognitive decline, Lindsay-Adler says. But that’s not an excuse to overindulge. “Alcoholic beverages are a known risk factor for cancer, can disturb sleep, and be damaging to the liver,” she explains. Instead of red wine, eat red and blue fruits like red grapes and blueberries.