There are healthier options when it comes to relieving your thirst. Reach for anyone of these healthier options next time thirst strikes.
When thirst strikes, we often reach for unhealthy beverages packed with sugar and or caffeine. Caffeine is fine in small quantities but sugar dense beverages provide the body with empty calories. There are many drinks available in supermarkets or those you can make at home that not only satisfy thirst but give you a dose of profound health benefits. Stocking your fridge with nutritious beverages can help you make healthy choices that you can feel good about. This article discusses healthy, nutrient-packed beverages and why they are so good for you.
Hot Beverages
• Green Tea
Green Tea is rich in antioxidants which protect the body from free radicals that are responsible for causing many disease processes. It can help prevent many forms of cancer and can protect against heart disease . It also gives your metabolism a boost. It contains no calories.
• Mint Tea
Mint tea is very refreshing and invigorating. It aids the digestive tract by preventing cramps, aches and spasms. It acts as a muscle relaxant and aids the movement of food through the digestive tract. It helps relieve stomach bloating and flatulence.
• Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus Tea is a delicious beverage that not many people have tried. It has been scientifically proven to lower blood pressure. It has also been proven to help prevent heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Chai Tea
Chai tea is packed with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. These spices combined together provide the body with powerful health benefits. They contain anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-heart disease, Alzheimer’s prevention , digestive aiding and a treatment for type 2 diabetes.
• Ginger Tea
Ginger tea has long been known for its ability to prevent motion sickness and morning sickness during pregnancy. It helps to prevent nausea and aid in digestion. It has been proven to help alleviate pain associated with arthritis when consumed regularly.
Related link: Ginger and Lemon Tea to Detoxify and Reduce Bloat
• Hot Chocolate
Chocolate is a natural mood booster, it stimulates the release of serotonin from the brain, the feel good hormone. Chocolate can also help to prevent heart disease. Milk helps to prevent osteoporosis and curbs cravings. It helps to keep you satisfied for longer.
Cold Beverages
• Tomato Juice
Tomatoes contain the chemical lycopene which has been scientifically proven to help prevent many forms of cancer. Also helps to prevent heart disease. Always choose tomato juice that is low in sodium.
• Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice helps to prevent gum disease. It also helps to prevent urinary tract infections . It is a powerful anti-bacterial drink. Always choose 100 percent cranberry juice with no added sugar.
• Orange Juice
Orange juice is high in calories so should only be consumed in moderation. Orange juice is packed with vitamin C which helps to boost the immune system. It has been proven to help prevent cataracts and is a powerful antioxidant.
• Pomegranate Juice
Pomegranate juice is a powerful antioxidant. It helps to prevent inflammation in the body and helps to prevent heart disease, lung cancer and prostate cancer. Only choose pomegranate juice which is 100 percent pure with no added sugar.
• Homemade Vegetable Juice
Juicing your favorite vegetables can create a delicious cold beverage that is packed with nutrients. Your body will receive a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. Vegetable juice helps to prevent and fight inflammation, regulates the bowels, cleanses the body and can even help you lose weight .
• Beetroot Juice
Packed with nitrates, this beverage has been found to boost stamina and endurance in athletes and helps to lower blood pressure. It has also been shown to increase blood flow to the brain which is useful in the treatment and prevention of dementia.
• Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice, although tart and an acquired taste, can boost the immune system, aid in digestion and cleanse the liver. It has also been shown to help prevent some forms of cancer. Freezing freshly squeezed lemon juice in an ice cube tray and then adding the ice cubes to cold water provides a zingy refreshing drink.
• Fruit Smoothies
Blending your favorite fruits and berries into a delicious smoothie makes a nutritious, healthy breakfast option or for a snack at any time of the day. The fruits and berries give your immune system a boost, helps to fight and prevent inflammation; can protect the body from heart disease and many forms of cancer. Adding low fat unsweetened yoghurt provides a hit of calcium to help prevent osteoporosis .
• Red Wine
Drinking one to two glasses of red wine per day is surprisingly considered very healthy for you. Red wine contains the chemical resveratrol which has been found to increase longevity in animal studies. It has also been found to help prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is a powerful anti-oxidant which helps prevent heart disease and some forms of cancer. It also boosts the immune system, helping to ward off colds and influenza.
Don’t Forget About Water…
Water is the healthiest drink to consume of all the beverages. It has no calories and rehydrates the body more efficiently than any other drink. It is recommended to drink 8 glasses of water a day preferably of alkaline water. Adding alkaline water to your lifestyle will benefit you in reversing the aging process, in ultra hydrating your body and in helping you age beautifully and healthy. Alkaline water is available both in bottles and through specialized alkaline & hydrogen water machines .
The above beverages are highly recommended alternate options to unhealthy soft drinks, caffeinated beverages and energy drinks. Making a healthy choice when it comes to relieving thirst is a choice your body will thank you for. There are many healthier options to try. Go ahead, find your favorites and enjoy.
About The Author:Helen Lyle West is a dietitian living in the Birmingham,UK. She is passionate about food and nutrition, keen to explore how it affects the health of individuals and population groups. Helen has also had a lifelong interest in Holistic, Alternative, and complementary medicine.
