Hold that Dark Berry Mocha Frappuccino!

Summer's here and cold-drink sales are on a high. Iced coffee has become a trendy alternative to traditional summer drinks, but new research suggests that you might want to count the calories before ordering that Chocolate Cream Frappuccino. The World Cancer Research Fund says that many iced coffees contain an enormous number of calories. The warning comes alongside research that links overeating to an increased risk of disease and a reduced life expectancy.

The "heaviest" of the drinks tested was the Dark Berry Mocha Frappuccino from Starbucks, which in its largest size contains 561 calories. The big coffee chains were, however, quick to point out lots of low-calorie options on their menus. Dr Rachel Thompson of the World Cancer Research Fund recommends avoiding drinks containing a lot of cream or syrups, and choosing ones with skimmed or semi-skimmed milk instead. She told the BBC that along with stopping smoking, keeping a healthy weight is "the most important thing you can do to help prevent cancer".

If it's simply too hot to go outside, you can always make your own low-calorie iced coffee.