The Best Non-Carbonated Drinks

The Best Non-Carbonated Drinks

The Best Non-Carbonated Drinks

Some people just don't like that fizzy flavor - and that's okay! There's no judgment here, just a long list of delicious non-carbonated beverages to stimulate the senses. From tea and coffee to apple juice and even vegetable juice, you have plenty of options before you.

If you only have time to try one beverage today, make sure it's Zest energy tea. Drink it hot with milk or ice it like lemonade. It contains more caffeine than coffee and yet, it doesn't result in that mid-afternoon energy crash.

Head to ZestTea.com to learn more about our high-caffeine beverage line-up.

 

PLANT POWERED ENERGY DRINKS We get it - you can't function before caffeine hits your bloodstream. Good thing Zest has more caffeine than coffee, plus your stomach won't hate you for drinking it. ENERGY: 150 mg caffeine - more than coffee FOCUS: L-Theanine for all-day, steady alertness HEALTH: Low to no surgar, and made with completely natural ingredients SEE PRODUCT PAGE

What are Carbonated Drinks?

Carbonated drinks are beverages that have carbon dioxide dissolved into them to produce a bubbly sensation when you consume them. From sparkling wines to soda, there are many types of carbonated beverages.

Some are great for your diet, while others are filled with sugar. Don't just judge a beverage by whether it's sparkling or not, as it's the whole combination of ingredients that matter most.

 

Carbonated vs Non-Carbonated Health Benefits

Both carbonated and non-carbonated drinks can be healthy or unhealthy - the carbon dioxide used to create the bubbles is nowhere near as impactful on your health as other flavor ingredients. Sugar, fruit juices, coffee, soda... it's the ingredients used that create health benefits, rather than the carbon dioxide gas used to create bubbles.

Of course, more research could emerge, but the current research suggests that besides a little bloating and excess gas, there are no worrisome side effects that come from consuming a carbonated beverage.

At Zest, we use tea, fruit, spices and vitamins to create an enjoyable drinking experience, no matter which beverage you choose. So, whether you choose a carbonated iced energy tea or a hot cup of freshly brewed tea, you'll still enjoy these potential health benefits:

  • Weight loss - Zest Tea contains up to 150mg of caffeine, to give you more goal-smashing energy to burn off calories in your workout. Furthermore, even without a workout, caffeine has been linked to BMI and body fat reduction. Of course, switching from a sugary soda to a sugar-free drink can prevent weight gain too, just by reducing calories.
  • Blood pressure - if you have high blood pressure or hypertension, consuming tea regularly can reduce it, according to a systematic review. You should talk to your doctor before supplementing your treatment, however.
  • Cancer - a review of observational studies discovered a potential link between tea consumption and a lower risk of developing some types of cancer, including oral cancer.

 

10 Best Non-Carbonated Drinks

Feeling thirsty? Each drink listed below is an amazing alternative to carbonated beverages.

 

1 - Zest Energy Tea

photographers drinking zest cinnamon apple tea

Drinking tea isn't just for grandma. Our energy drinks are made with tea (green or black) and natural, plant-based ingredients. And that's it! You don't need added sugar to create good sports drinks.

Our non-carbonated drinks include teabags and loose leaf tea in a range of flavors. You can ice them or drink them hot - whichever you prefer.

To make our plant-powered drinks, we use tea extract to naturally boost the levels of caffeine and L-Theanine. Together, these two ingredients create a smooth, prolonged energy boost with a touch of calm focus.

Discover our non-carbonated energy drinks at ZestTea.com.

 

2 - Zest Herbal Tea

 

Among our non-carbonated beverages are a select range of herbal teas. These are just as tasty as our energy teas... but without caffeine for a little extra calm. In our Sleep Tea, we use chamomile and lavender to create a cozy comforting base for L-Theanine and melatonin.

 

Chamomile and lavender are well-known for their calming, anxiety-relieving, and even sedative properties that can help you sleep soundly. With extra tea-extracted L-Theanine for calm, and melatonin to kick your circadian rhythm into gear, you'll be ready to hit the hay in no time.

Visit the Zest Sleep Tea collection to learn more about this soft drink.

 

3 - Water

plastic bottle of water

Bottled water is easily accessible and a great non-carbonated drink. With absolutely no sugar content, drinking water is an amazing way to rehydrate your body. Add some ice cubes to keep it cold too.

Bottled water is either plain water or carbonated water - both are available to purchase and both have zero sugar unless additional ingredients are added.

Watch out for flavored waters. Even if they're non-sparkling and claim to have less sugar than soda, that doesn't mean they have a good nutritional value. That's part of why we use real fruit pieces, spices and more to flavor Zest drinks.

 

4 - Fruit Juice

freshly squeezed orange juice

Fruit juice, concentrated or not from concentrate, can be a good way to enjoy flavors without consuming food. Orange juice and apple juice are two of the most common drinks, but even without added sugar they still contain a certain amount of natural sugar.

One way to get around this is to drink vegetable juices instead. Try making a vegetable juice smoothie or combining nutritious vegetables with fruits for a slightly sweeter beverage.

Although fruit juices won't contain any caffeine to energize your day, they will contain other nutritious elements like fiber, minerals and vitamins.

Fruit juices and smoothies can be made at home or purchased pre-made, so they're a good option as a non-carbonated drink.

 

5 - Coffee

three different cups of coffee

Drinking coffee is a popular way to get more energy throughout the day. It's a natural source of caffeine, just like tea, and can be consumed as a hot drink or a cold drink. There are also health benefits associated with coffee, including a reduced risk of heart disease.

The problem is that there's no L-Theanine in coffee. So, even though it boosts your energy levels, it doesn't come with the calm focus of tea and will inevitably drop off suddenly in the afternoon.

One espresso consumed as a shot and one espresso made into a latte will contain the same amount of caffeine - adding milk doesn't alter the caffeine content of coffee.

 

6 - Milk

glass of milk

Compared to soda, drinking a cup of milk straight is fairly uncommon - for adults, at least. But it's still a very popular non-carbonated drink that's often mixed with coffee or tea to produce a creamier flavor.

Milk is a source of fat, but it's also a source of calcium which is important for your diet. So, try drinking low-fat milk or a dairy-free alternative like soy milk that's fortified with calcium and other minerals. Maybe add a little honey to taste.

If you're considering making carbonated milk, think again. The process of adding carbon dioxide to milk (e.g. with a SodaStream) is not a good idea, as it creates carbonic acid. The result of mixing milk with any acidic liquid? Sour, split milk. Yuck.

 

7 - Immunity Tea

Herbal teas are a good caffeine-free alternative to standard tea and coffee, especially if you are looking for the health benefits of other ingredients and want to enjoy your non-carbonated beverage hot.

Depending on the herbal tea you choose, it could be a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other compounds that are unique to the herbal plant you are steeping. Adding sugar may make the beverage more palatable, but try not to go over the top. Excess sugar is not good for your health, obviously.

If you want to learn more about herbal tea types, read our article Types of Herbal Tea.

For an all-round healthy and revitalizing brew, check out our elderberry and citrus flavored Immunity Tea.

 

8 - Coconut Water

coconut water with a split coconut

This beverage is made from the water found inside young coconuts - it's not the same as coconut milk.

Coconut water may have good nutritional value, but it's not calorie free. So, if you want to try coconut water, make sure to read the label carefully. You may be surprised by how much added sugar is in the bottle!

Sugar aside, coconut water is high in electrolytes, potassium, calcium and magnesium. It's good for your health but shouldn't be supplemented for healthy food and a balanced diet.

 

9 - Flat Lemonade

still lemonade in tall glasses

Lemonade is often sold as a soda, but you can find flat lemonade that hasn't been carbonated. Made with lemon fruit, this beverage can be quite tart and requires a considerable amount of sugar or artificial sweeteners to make it more palatable for your taste buds.

Sodas don't need to be sugary, but many are even when they are un-carbonated. So, before you pour yourself a glass of flat lemonade, consider reaching for a sugar-free and naturally sweet energy tea instead!

Another non-fizzy alternative with a tart and sweet flavor is our electrolyte powder. We even have a blackberry lemonade flavor to tingle your tastebuds.

 

10 - Alcoholic Beverages

an old fashioned cocktail

Drinks like red wine, whisky and rum are not carbonated. Some spirits are mixed with carbonated beverages to create cocktails however. Bear in mind that while alcoholic drinks can be non-carbonated, they aren't considered to be soft drinks due to the alcohol in them.

It's best to think of alcoholic beverages as an occasional treat and should be avoided by pregnant women, obviously.

And that concludes our list.

 

FAQs

What are some non-carbonated drinks?

Water is the simplest of the non-carbonated beverages, however fruit juices, tea, coffee and several non-fizzy energy drinks are also non-carbonated. Your favorite sports drink may also contain a lot of added sugar, which is more problematic than the bubbles themselves, especially if you want to lose weight or boost your energy.

Is there a non-carbonated cola?

Over the years, The Coca-Cola Company has released numerous non-carbonated beverages, however most current non-carbonated colas are not sold in the US. You can find 'cola' non-carbonated beverages from other brands, however.

Not all soda is carbonated, however much of it is high in sugar or artificial sweeteners. If you want a sparkling beverage that's free of both, check out our zero-calorie energy tea line-up.

What soft drinks are not carbonated?

Any flat drinks that don't contain bubbles are considered non-carbonated drinks. Non-carbonated drinks and soft drinks overlap, but are not exactly the same. A soft drink refers to any non-alcoholic beverage, including both carbonated beverages and flat beverages.

Examples of non-carbonated beverages include tea, coffee, water, fruit juice, and spirits.

What can you drink in place of carbonated drinks?

Water is always good, but if you want a beverage with a more interesting flavor, try a cup of energy tea. Most soda drinks are high in sugar, which is not great for your body or your energy levels - consuming a vast amount of sugar actually leads to a drop in energy levels, as it crashes quickly.

That's why we recommend cutting down on sugar - not just carbonated drinks in general - for your health.

Are all energy drinks carbonated drinks?

No, not at all. While the majority do seem to be carbonated beverages, there are many high-caffeine energy drinks that aren't carbonated at all. At Zest, we create both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages that have more caffeine than coffee.

Combined with the amino acid L-Theanine, which is found naturally in tea leaves, we can create a smooth and prolonged energy boost that enhances your focus and concentration too.

Are carbonated beverages bad for you?

Carbonation itself isn't associated with any serious health concerns. Compared to a high sugar content, carbonation is harmless. Carbonated drinks are made with carbon dioxide, which could irritate your stomach if you are very sensitive, as well as cause bloating and gas. This will pass quickly once you've finished your carbonated beverage.

If you dislike the sensation of consuming carbonated beverages, you have so many other options from fruit juice to herbal teas to Zest non-carbonated drinks.

How much sugar is in orange juice?

Concentrated orange juice has approximately 8.28g of sugar per 100g of juice. Surprisingly, fresh orange juice that's not from concentrate has 8.08g of sugar per 100g of juice - there's not much difference!

It's recommended that sugar should make up no more than 10% of your daily calorie intake. If you consume 2,000 calories per day, this equates to approximately 50g of sugar.

Are Zest Tea non-carbonated drinks?

At Zest, we have a wide range of beverages that are high in caffeine, like sports drinks and coffee. Some of our teas are non-carbonated beverages that can be consumed hot or cold - take a look at our hot tea range.

For those that like the bubbles, we also have some sparkling energy drinks that are low to no sugar and formulated with vitamins and natural flavors.

All our drinks contain more caffeine than coffee and are designed to support your energy levels throughout the entire day.

  
HIGH CAFFEINE TEAS We get it - you can't function before caffeine hits your bloodstream. Good thing Zest has more caffeine than coffee, plus your stomach won't hate you for drinking it. ENERGY: 3X the amount of caffeine found in regular teas FOCUS: L-Theanine for all-day, steady alertness HEALTH: No surgar and made with completely natural ingredients SEE PRODUCT PAGE


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