Hydration is key to leading a healthy lifestyle, but water alone may not do the trick – other beverages offer additional health benefits than others.
Green drinks contain antioxidants and nutrients, with some varieties also providing stress-relief adaptogens such as ashwagandha or mushrooms. When shopping for drinks with vegetables listed as ingredients, look out for drinks with high percentages of vegetables as ingredients.
Water
Water is the best beverage to keep hydrated and flush toxins from your system, while sodium-rich beverages could contribute to hypertension while those containing synthetic food dyes could trigger allergic reactions in some.
Fruit juices and smoothies provide essential vitamins and minerals, but can also contain high levels of sugar and additives. To optimize nutrition in these beverages, choose low-sugar fruits and veg to create smoothies with.
Sparkling water is an enjoyable, calorie-free beverage that can serve as an excellent replacement to soda or other drinks with added sugars. Be sure to rinse your seltzer prior to swallowing in order to decrease tooth erosion risks associated with drinking carbonated beverages on an ongoing basis.
Pomegranate juice offers many health benefits, yet is high in sugar content and should only be used sparingly. Combine it with water or apple juice for an enjoyable and refreshing beverage option.
Orange Juice
Orange juice can help boost immunity and provide essential micronutrients, like Vitamin C. Plus, its dietary fiber content slows digestion to help prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar and promote feelings of fullness and satisfaction.
Orange juice made with minimal processing is considered to be of higher quality; look for products labeled “100% juice” or ‘not from concentrate”. Remember that even healthy drinks should be enjoyed in moderation; especially those that contain added sugars.
Many brands of orange juice go through extensive processing, such as pasteurization and high-pressure processing (HPP), to ensure its safety and extend its shelf life. Unfortunately, these processes may degrade some health-promoting micronutrients like folate and potassium that are water soluble; opting for juice with pulp would increase dietary fiber levels which help regulate your digestive system, control blood sugar, as well as decrease unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Cherry Juice
Cherry juice is known for being rich in antioxidants, helping with exercise recovery and restful sleep. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties and potassium content help maintain normal blood pressure levels.
Studies suggest that drinking tart cherry juice before and after workouts may improve muscle recovery while at the same time helping reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Cherry juice may help people suffering from gout by decreasing the body’s level of uric acid. Furthermore, cherry juice may promote sleep through either its melatonin content or polyphenol content – though further research needs to be completed on this front.
Look for 100% pure cherry juice or concentrate without added sugars or additives to get maximum benefits from drinking cherry juice or concentrate. It is ideal to drink it either after exercising in the morning, or an hour prior to sleeping at night if consumed before sleeping.
Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses is a by-product of sugarcane or sugar beet processing that offers many essential vitamins and minerals, including unsulfured versions. Blackstrap molasses provides iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium in addition to providing B6, folic acid and manganese. Furthermore, some people can use blackstrap as a natural laxative, helping improve constipation symptoms.
Cereal grains possess a low glycemic index, so their consumption does not spike blood sugar levels as do refined sugars. Furthermore, they’re rich in chromium which increases glucose tolerance and prevents insulin resistance.
Blackstrap molasses may improve digestion, lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease; provide energy boost; treat ADD/ADHD by providing zinc, iron, calcium and phosphorous; reduce menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms; as well as topically treating skin conditions like acne or eczema using its soothing lactic acid content that soothes and moisturizes the skin.
