Today, there is much confusion about the impact of some beverages and ingredients on health. However, most nutrition experts like the American Dietetic Association agree that it's the total diet and overall pattern of food eaten, rather than any one food or meal, that is important. All foods and beverages can fit into a sensible, balanced diet that is nutritionally adequate, calorically appropriate, and that is combined with regular physical activity.
All beverages contribute to hydration, which is essential for good health. Some beverages also contain vitamins, minerals, and/or other bioactive compounds like antioxidants and polyphenols that have potential health benefits. Some beverages are also fortified with additional nutrients like vitamin D and DHA and beneficial ingredients like phytosterols. And, with the exception of some vegetable juices and sports drinks, most beverages are also very low in sodium. In fact, most of the sodium in sparkling beverages comes from the water used to make them.
Beverages that contain carbohydrates, proteins and/or fats also provide calories, which like the calories from foods, contribute to total daily energy intake. As a result, it's important that beverage calories, like food calories, are managed as part of an individual's overall energy balance strategy to maintain a healthy weight.
CPE Program
When Urban Myths, Opinions, Parental Perceptions and Evidence Collide with
Dr. Ronald Kleinman
Learn about energy balance – the practice of keeping the calories consumed in line with the body's needs, and research suggesting that when used in place of higher calorie options, foods and beverages with low-and no-calorie sweeteners may be beneficial for weight management.
Learn about heart health, including understanding the benefits of physical activity, the importance of weight management, and the role of different beverages, including soft drinks and ingredients like phytosterols, in a heart-healthy lifestyle.
It's never too late to improve bone health. Learn how to keep bones strong, including lifestyle factors that impact bone heath and clinical research that affirms that people can drink soft drinks and have strong bones as long as their overall diet provides adequate calcium and other bone-building nutrients
Understanding how different beverages fit into a sensible balanced diet for children can sometimes be a challenge. Learn about the role of beverages in children's health, including their role in hydration, nutrition, energy balance and dental health.