Ideal beverages should provide our bodies with vital nutrients and fluids without excessive calories or added sugars.
Water is the healthiest beverage choice and should form the core of a nutritious diet.
Tea and coffee contain polyphenols and natural antioxidants which may protect against heart disease and cancer; however, many ready-to-drink products contain variable polyphenol levels and additional sugars that could impede their effectiveness.
Green Tea
Green tea is an excellent source of polyphenols and phytochemicals that act as antioxidants to prevent cell damage. One such phytochemical, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), may lower risk for heart disease and cancer by restricting cell proliferation and fat accumulation, and also contains amino acids like L-theanine which has been suggested to help improve mental health and enhance brain function, reduce chronic high blood pressure levels and enhance cholesterol levels – it may even help with chronic high blood pressure treatment (although too much can reduce effectiveness); however if taking an anticholesterol medication like Atorvastatin (which may decrease effectiveness), then drinking too much tea may hinder its effectiveness!
Green tea typically delivers 15-48 milligrams of caffeine depending on its brand and how long you steep its leaves, and may be enhanced further with lemon and honey for a sweeter taste or as part of a herbal blend, such as jasmine, Aglaia duperreana flowers, basil or pandan leaves.
Orange Juice
Orange juice is a staple drink in many households and widely considered healthy when enjoyed in moderation. It offers vitamin C and some fiber; however, excessive consumption may lead to weight gain or blood sugar spikes.
Juice made from whole oranges contains more fiber and fewer calories than pure concentrate varieties, plus an abundance of folate-rich nutrients that are vitally important to pregnant women to help prevent birth defects.
Orange juice can be an easy and fast way to meet your daily fruit requirements, yet may not fill you up as quickly as whole fruits do, leading to overeating and weight gain. Studies show that adding fiber-rich remnants from orange segments, pulp, and core to juice may reduce its impact on blood sugar while increasing feelings of fullness – choosing fortified 100% orange juice could also prove helpful in this respect.
Mint Juice
Mint is an aromatic herb with numerous health advantages. It helps aid digestion and boost energy levels; when combined with zesty lemons, this refreshing beverage makes for the ideal summertime beverage!
This drink is easy to prepare with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, and should be enjoyed chilled with ice cubes. Additionally, it makes an ideal party beverage as large batches can be created quickly before being stored in the fridge until needed.
Make an effortless drink using mint leaves, water, jaggery (or sugar), and salt blended together in a blender until everything has been fully mixed together and the mint pulverized. Add cumin seeds for an extra kick of flavor and pour into a glass! You can use either a hand juicer or electric blender to complete this recipe; experiment with various ratios until you find one you enjoy best! If making larger quantities use an ice cube tray to store any extra for later!
Coffee
Drinking plenty of water and low-cal beverages like tea and coffee is essential to staying healthy, yet certain beverages can be harmful so it is wise to drink in moderation.
Coffee, the popular beverage made from the seeds of the Coffea plant, contains caffeine and chlorogenic acid. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and boosts mental alertness; it may even protect against certain cancers, heart diseases and high blood pressure while chlorogenic acid helps optimize how the body utilizes insulin and glucose.
Coffee may cause jitters or digestive issues for some individuals. Coffee also contains acrylamide, which forms when starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures such as French fries and cookies. Most adults can safely drink three to five cups per day of coffee without adding additional sweeteners and cream – the same health benefits can be gained by drinking unsweetened black or green tea instead.
