Drinks containing antioxidants help neutralize unstable molecules that could damage cells over time. Check out this delicious green juice recipe that you can make yourself, or opt for a Kefir smoothie with healthy probiotics for even greater protection!
Supermarket beverage aisles have increasingly taken on the appearance of pharmacies, with mushroom-infused sodas promising improved mental clarity and bacteria-rich juices promising enhanced digestive health. Other functional drinks provide skin-nourishing collagen as well as energy boosts.
Freshly Squeezed Orange or Lemon Juice
Orange juice provides essential nutrition, such as vitamin C. One cup of OJ provides more than the required daily amount for most adults as well as potassium, magnesium and thiamine.
Studies have demonstrated that drinking orange juice regularly can reduce diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, studies have also found it helps lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which contributes to atherosclerosis.
Make sure to select 100% orange juice without added sugar for optimal benefits of this drink. Pasteurized or HPP juice cannot legally be called “freshly squeezed,” yet bioflavonoid rutin, commonly referred to as vitamin P, can help strengthen blood capillaries and prevent varicose veins in fresh orange juice – making this an invaluable addition to a healthy diet!
Homemade Smoothies
Smoothies can make an excellent healthy breakfast, snack or meal replacement when made with nutritious ingredients. Smoothies provide an excellent way to increase fruit and vegetable consumption which provide antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals; but store-bought smoothies may contain excess calories and sugar; making your own allows you to control both ingredients as well as portion size.
Make this refreshing smoothie to celebrate summer! Filled with juicy berries, peaches and nutrient-rich kale leaves, banana is known to ease anxiety while yogurt provides probiotics. Add an extra sweet touch by sprinkling honey or maple syrup – powdered sweeteners dissolve better when cold drinks are mixed while its thick texture keeps it from settling at the bottom!
Tart Cherry Juice
tart cherries that compose this beverage may be too tart to consume fresh, so dried and juiced versions used in health studies should be found at many grocery stores. To maximize health benefits, opt for unsweetened varieties.
Tart cherry juice may help lower systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in older adults, according to a 2019 Journal of Medicinal Food study. This may be attributable to its antioxidant properties that protect against inflammation and oxidative stress.
Tart cherries have also been reported to reduce gout pain and inflammation by decreasing body uric acid production, possibly due to their natural source of melatonin. Tart cherries may even aid sleep through increased production of this sleep aiding hormone.
Blackstrap Molasses Drink
Blackstrap molasses is the thickest type of sugar cane molasses and provides various health benefits. With a moderate glycemic load and the presence of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium as well as vitamins B6 and manganese. Blackstrap can help combat anemia by encouraging red blood cell production that will carry oxygen from lungs to body; additionally it can relieve stress by providing the brain and nervous system with essential nutrition.
Blackstrap molasses may also help ease PMS symptoms, stabilize blood sugar levels and enhance bone health and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Furthermore, its high antioxidant content protects against chronic diseases due to oxidative damage.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is a natural health drink packed with electrolytes and less sugar than many sports drinks or fruit juices. Fresh-from-the-coconut coconut water is best, though packaged varieties are perfectly acceptable – just read labels carefully to avoid sweeteners and preservatives added during processing.
This beverage provides an essential source of potassium, essential for supporting normal heart function and blood pressure, as well as plant hormones with anti-ageing and cancer fighting properties. Additionally, cytokinins have anti-ageing and cancer fighting capabilities.
According to multiple studies, drinking the liquid regularly is linked with maintaining healthy body weight and hydration status. Its antioxidants may reduce oxidative stress while supporting immunity; animal studies even indicate it could help prevent kidney stones in those living with diabetes. It’s particularly useful for replacing fluid lost during physical exertion or illness recovery.
