On 24/3, Dr. Vassily Eliopoulos, a longevity expert trained at Cornell University and co-founder and Medical Director of Longevity Health, issued a warning on his personal page: "Most people focus only on food when it comes to heart care, but in reality, what you drink daily can cause damage more quickly and severely".
Here are 5 types of drinks this expert advises cutting back on immediately to protect your heart:
Fruit juice
While fresh fruit is healthy, fruit juice is the opposite. Even 100% pure juice, with no added sugar or preservatives, is not beneficial for heart health.
Dr. Vass explained that juice is essentially liquid sugar but lacks fiber, an important component that slows sugar absorption into the body. Many studies show that juice raises blood sugar faster than sugary sodas. This elevates triglyceride levels and overworks the pancreas to produce insulin.
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Coffee with excessive sugar and milk is not good for cardiovascular health. *Mina* |
Coffee with excessive sugar and milk
Black coffee offers many health benefits, but adding sugar, syrups, and heavy cream completely negates those benefits.
"A large flavored latte can contain up to 50g of sugar", Dr. Vass noted, adding that this drink is no different from a sugary dessert disguised as "coffee" to give consumers a false sense of health each morning.
Sports drinks
Sports drinks not only contain many calories but also often have artificial colors that are harmful to metabolism.
According to Dr. Vass, unless you are a high-intensity athlete competing continuously for two to three days, you do not need "34g of carbohydrates and artificial colors" in your body. "Plain water and natural electrolytes will effectively complete the recovery task without causing metabolic damage", he shared.
Alcohol (more than two units per month)
While many believe a little alcohol can be good for health, Dr. Vass asserted that no amount is truly safe. However, limiting consumption to under two units per month will help keep the risk of heart attack low.
"The 'red wine is good for the heart' narrative has largely been debunked", he stated. Even moderate but regular alcohol consumption raises blood pressure, disrupts sleep patterns, and increases inflammatory markers in the body.
Diet sodas
Do not mistakenly believe diet sodas are a healthy alternative. Dr. Vass warned that artificial sweeteners can still trigger the body's insulin response. They also alter gut microbiota and, in large-scale studies, are independently linked to cardiovascular events.
"What you drink daily accumulates over many years. These 5 types of drinks are silently working against your heart", the doctor emphasized.
My Y (According to Hindustan Times)
