Daily beverages can influence how the body responds to inflammation and overall health. While inflammation is a natural protective response to injury or infection certain drinks consumed regularly may worsen chronic inflammation over time. In a recent health discussion Dr. Ethan Kellum reviewed several popular beverages and ranked them from 1 to 10 depending on how supportive they are for reducing inflammation and promoting wellness.
One of the most widely consumed drinks worldwide is Coffee. According to Dr Kellum plain black coffee scored 3 out of 10. While coffee can boost energy it may also increase cortisol levels especially during stressful periods which can potentially contribute to inflammation.
Another beverage gaining popularity for its nutritional value is Bone Broth. This drink received a strong rating of 9 out of 10 because it contains collagen and amino acids that may support joint repair gut health and connective tissue recovery.
Health focused drinks like Green Juice are often considered beneficial but store bought versions received a low score of 2 out of 10. Many commercial products contain high amounts of fructose and very little fibre which can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes.
Fermented beverages such as Kombucha scored 6 out of 10. Although kombucha is promoted for its probiotic benefits some commercial versions contain added sugar which may reduce its anti inflammatory benefits.
Plant based milk alternatives are also popular choices. Almond Milk scored 4 out of 10 because many products contain only a small percentage of almonds and include stabilisers gums and oils that may contribute to inflammation.
Natural hydration options like Coconut Water received a moderate rating of 5 out of 10. While it contains natural sugars it also offers electrolytes though the benefits may be limited when consumed in large amounts.
Another dairy alternative Oat Milk also scored 4 out of 10. Dr Kellum noted that many brands add oils or processing ingredients that could negatively affect inflammation levels.
Sports beverages such as Gatorade received a rating of 3 out of 10. These drinks contain large amounts of sugar and artificial colours. They may be useful for athletes during long endurance activities but are not ideal for everyday hydration.
At the top of the list was Green Tea with a perfect score of 10 out of 10. Green tea is packed with antioxidants which may help reduce inflammation and support overall health while remaining low in calories and sugar.
Some beverages that appear healthy on the surface may actually contain high sugar levels. Drinks like Vitamin Water scored only 2 out of 10 because their sugar content can be similar to soda.
Meanwhile indulgent drinks like the Starbucks Frappuccino received one of the lowest scores at 1 out of 10 due to high sugar and dairy content which may promote inflammation.
Finally Sweet Tea also ranked 1 out of 10 because it essentially contains high amounts of sugar with very little nutritional benefit. Excessive sugar consumption can increase metabolic stress and inflammation in the body.
Experts suggest that choosing beverages with lower sugar levels and higher antioxidant content such as green tea may help support better long term health and reduce inflammation risks.