"Six Prepared Iced Teas Containing More Sugar than Typical Candy Treats"
Sweet Tea vs. Health: A Sugar-Filled Comparison
In a world where sugar-sweetened beverages are a common choice, it's essential to understand the impact of these drinks on our health. Let's take a look at some popular iced teas and compare them to the recommended daily sugar intake by the American Heart Association (AHA).
Iced Teas and Their Sugar Content
- Brisk Lemon Flavor Iced Tea: With 48 grams of added sugar per 20-ounce bottle, consuming the entire bottle equates to 48 grams of sugar. This beverage also contains high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners like acesulfame potassium and sucralose. If your metabolism doesn't require these additives to maintain shelf stability, it's best to avoid it.
- Gold Peak Brewed Sweet Iced Tea: This tea contains 48 grams of added sugar, making it as sweet as Brisk Lemon Flavor Iced Tea.
- Arizona Iced Tea Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey: This seemingly health-conscious option still packs a punch with 42 grams of added sugar per 20-ounce bottle.
- Snapple Peach Tea: This tea has more sugar than a pack of Skittles, with 40 grams of added sugar per bottle.
- Lipton Iced Tea Citrus Green Tea: With 25 grams of sugar per bottle and zero protein or fiber, this tea might not be the healthiest choice. It also contains preservatives like phosphoric acid and acesulfame potassium, which could potentially disrupt gut health in the long term.
The AHA's Sugar Recommendations
The AHA recommends that women consume no more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) of added sugar per day, and men consume no more than 36 grams (9 teaspoons) of added sugar per day. These recommendations aim to limit added sugars to roughly 6% of daily calorie intake for most adults.
Healthier Tea Options
If you love the taste of sweet tea, consider brewing it yourself and adding a dash of honey or monk fruit instead of opting for the sugar-filled options mentioned above. Nutritionists like Alexandria Hardy, RDN, LDN, suggest steeping your own tea and adding a drizzle of honey instead of consuming Arizona Iced Tea Green Tea. By doing so, you can enjoy the taste of sweet tea without the health risks associated with excess sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Brewing your own tea instead of consuming Brisk Lemon Flavor Iced Tea can help avoid a fast track to inflammation, belly fat, and blood sugar crashes. So, next time you're craving a sweet beverage, consider swapping out the sugar-filled options for a healthier, homemade alternative.
[1] American Heart Association. Added Sugars [2] U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans [4] American Heart Association. Sugar Science [5] World Health Organization. Sugars Intake for Adults and Children
- In light of the American Heart Association's recommendations, it's advisable for women to limit their intake of added sugar to 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day, while men should aim for no more than 36 grams (9 teaspoons).
- Nutritionists suggest brewing your own tea and adding a drizzle of honey as a healthier alternative to sugar-filled iced teas like Arizona Iced Tea Green Tea, which contains 42 grams of added sugar.
- By opting for homemade, honey-sweetened tea instead of Brisk Lemon Flavor Iced Tea, which has 48 grams of added sugar, one can avoid potential health risks associated with excess sugar consumption.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and food-and-drink choices, choosing a nutritious lifestyle that includes wellness-focused options like homemade, honey-sweetened tea can contribute to overall better health and wellness.
