It’s not salty or greasy foods: these 4 familiar drinks are the ones silently clogging your blo.od vessels

It’s not salty foods or fatty meals—everyday familiar drinks are quietly “eroding” your blood vessels. When consumed regularly, they can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, vascular blockage, and cardiovascular disease.

For many years, when talking about the risk of blocked blood vessels or heart disease, most people immediately think of eating too much salt, consuming a lot of greasy food, or being physically inactive. However, according to medical experts, there is another “culprit” that works quietly but is no less dangerous: daily beverage choices.

Dr. Nguyen Van H., a specialist in cardiology and metabolic diseases, said:
“Many of my patients manage their main meals quite well but overlook what they drink. Meanwhile, many beverages today contain high levels of sugar, unhealthy fats, or alcohol, which can damage blood vessels just as much as fried foods.”

Sugary drinks – the “number one enemy” of blood vessels

Sugary beverages such as carbonated soft drinks, milk tea, bottled tea, industrial fruit juices, and energy drinks have become common choices, especially among young people. However, their high sugar content—particularly high-fructose corn syrup—is a key factor that rapidly deteriorates vascular health.

Consuming excessive sugar over a long period can lead to metabolic disorders, accumulation of visceral fat, and abdominal fat. These are major drivers of atherosclerosis—the leading cause of blood vessel blockage. In addition, prolonged high blood sugar levels increase the risk of diabetes, a condition often associated with damage to both small and large blood vessels.

Many studies show that people who frequently consume sugary drinks have a higher risk of hypertension, lipid disorders, and cardiovascular disease, even if they do not eat overly salty or greasy foods.

Full-fat dairy-based drinks: not as “healthy” as they seem

Milk and dairy products are often considered good sources of nutrition for bones and muscles. However, full-fat milk, high-fat dairy products, or beverages made with rich dairy ingredients can be harmful to blood vessels if consumed regularly.

Saturated fat increases LDL cholesterol—the “bad” cholesterol that can accumulate in blood vessel walls. When LDL builds up over time, blood vessels gradually lose elasticity, plaques form, and the risk of blockage increases.

For people who are overweight or have a history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or heart disease, full-fat milk consumption should be carefully controlled. Experts recommend choosing low-fat or fat-free dairy products to reduce strain on the cardiovascular system.

Drinks containing trans fats: a hidden danger

Another often-overlooked group of beverages includes those containing trans fats, commonly found in margarine, coffee creamers, industrial milk tea, drinks made with vegetable-based creamers, or ready-made toppings.

Trans fats are created during the hydrogenation of vegetable oils. This type of fat significantly increases LDL cholesterol while simultaneously lowering HDL cholesterol—the “good” cholesterol that protects blood vessels. This imbalance accelerates atherosclerosis and raises the risk of vascular blockage, heart attacks, and strokes.

What is especially concerning is that trans fats are not easily detected by taste. Many people consume these drinks daily without realizing they are quietly accumulating risks to their blood vessels.