Popular cold drinks include iced tea, iced coffee, smoothies, milkshakes, lemonade, sodas, iced herbal infusions, cold-pressed juices, sparkling water, and flavored water.

The healthiness of a drink depends on its ingredients, not its temperature. Both hot and cold drinks can be healthy or unhealthy. For example, iced green tea is as healthy as hot green tea, while both sugary iced coffee and sugary hot coffee can be less healthy options.

Drinking very cold beverages can sometimes cause throat discomfort or “brain freeze” (a quick, sharp headache). For some individuals, cold drinks can trigger symptoms of sensitive teeth. Generally, cold drinks do not cause serious health issues.

• Yes, cold drinks like water, herbal iced teas, and coconut water can help with hydration. Beverages high in sugar or caffeine can be less effective for hydration and may even have a diuretic effect.

Cold-pressed juices retain more nutrients compared to regular juices because they are made using a hydraulic press without heat. However, they can still be high in sugar if primarily made from fruits. Balance them with vegetable juices for a healthier option.

Use natural sweeteners like honey or agave syrup sparingly, choose fresh ingredients, avoid artificial additives, and limit added sugars. For example, make smoothies with fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, use unsweetened milk or yogurt, and skip the ice cream in milkshakes.