Beware of 'Fake Water': 6 Drinks That Spike Blood Sugar, Nutritionist Warns

In Taiwan, staying hydrated is a common concern, especially for those looking to manage weight and reduce swelling. Nutritionist Kao Min-min, writing on her Facebook page "Kao Min-min Nutritionist," has issued a stark warning to consumers who believe they are making healthy choices by opting for readily available beverages.

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Many people think they are hydrating, but they are actually drinking high-sugar, high-calorie beverages, which not only do not help with metabolism but may even cause blood sugar to soar and fat to accumulate, making swelling and weight problems worse.

Kao highlights a prevalent misconception: that any liquid consumed counts as beneficial hydration. She points out that many popular drinks, including freshly squeezed juices, honey lemon beverages, sweetened yogurt drinks, sweet soy milk, sports drinks, and fruit teas, are laden with sugar and calories. These "pseudo-healthy" drinks, as she terms them, do not aid in metabolism and can instead cause blood sugar spikes, promote fat storage, and worsen swelling.

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Reminding that to hydrate and reduce swelling, one must choose 'real water'.

The nutritionist emphasizes that while plain water is calorie-free, aids circulation, helps flush out excess salt and water, and does not elevate blood sugar, these alternative drinks can contain anywhere from 150 to 500 calories. This stark contrast underscores the importance of choosing "real water" for effective hydration and metabolic health. This advice resonates deeply in a society where convenience often leads to the consumption of processed and sweetened beverages, making Kao's clear distinction crucial for public health awareness.

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True water has zero calories, does not raise blood sugar, and helps metabolism; 6 dangerous pseudo-healthy drinks have about 150-500 calories, and will cause blood sugar to spike rapidly and promote fat storage.