Have you ever thought about how much you drink? I’m not suggesting you need an intervention or anything—I’m not even talking about alcoholic beverages, really, although they may factor into your total. I read recently that the average man drinks about 200 gallons per year. I think my own beverage consumption is closer to 300 because I try to drink a gallon of water every day, and although I try, I know I fall short quite often.
What do you drink? And what are your health goals? If you’re trying to lose weight, how you answer these questions could be the barrier between you and your success.
When you think of good-for-you beverages, water is the obvious choice, but there are others worth adding to your diet. There are drinks that bring additional health benefits, like relieving indigestion and protecting against serious illnesses like osteoporosis and even cancer.
Here’s our list of 6 drinks that are healthy and won’t break your diet. Hey, we’ll drink to that!
Green Tea
Green tea contains a rich concentration of flavonoids and polyphenols—natural antioxidants that may help protect cells from cancer-causing carcinogens and help to neutralize free radicals in the body. The tea’s antioxidants may also guard against heart disease by relaxing blood vessels and inhibiting the formation of blood clots that trigger heart attacks and strokes. Of course, if you’d like the all the benefits Green Tea packs without drinking green tea, you can always take a trustworthy green tea extract capsules and chase them with good old fashioned water.
Black Coffee
An 8oz. cup of black coffee contains just 2 calories. It also contains calcium for strong bones, potassium to help keep your heart beat regular and, according to the Harvard Health Letter, might reduce your risk of liver cancer by 50% compared to people who don’t drink coffee. The antioxidant levels found in coffee are higher than the levels in wine, tea, fruits and vegetables.
Crio Brü
Crio Brü is a cocoa beverage that brews like coffee. It contains no sugar, no chemicals, no gluten, and no dairy. The only ingredient (aside from the water you brew it in) is roasted cocoa beans. What can it do for you? It’s high in antioxidants (raw cocoa beans have more antioxidants than almost any food in the world), so it will help boost your immune system. It’s high in mineral content so it helps curb your appetite and promotes weight loss and healthy living. Cocoa has more magnesium than any other food, which your body uses to support the heart, aids in digestion, balances brain chemistry and builds strong bones. Crio Brü also contains a natural stimulant called theobromine, which is gentle, long lasting and non-addictive. You’ll feel focused and energized without the negative effects of stimulants found in other drinks!
Mint Tea
Peppermint tea has been used for centuries to relieve all kinds of ailments: A cup of mint tea can soothe an upset stomach and relieve heartburn. The menthol in the tea acts as an expectorant, thinning mucus and breaking up a cough. It can also relieve dry cough and a sore throat. It can also be used to promote mental focus. Mint tea’s cool, refreshing flavor invigorates and can help you stay alert, focused and less anxious. And of course, there’s one more ailment a good cup of peppermint tea will take care of—bad breath!
Lemonade Diet
For about 50 years, people have been using the Master Cleanse to lose weight, help eliminate their bodies of harmful toxins and to promote general well-being. The Lemonade Diet is a natural weight loss supplement that combines the effective ingredients of the powerful and popular Master Cleanse diet in a simple, easy-to-use powder. Lemons have been eaten for their powerful antibacterial benefits and their potent concentration of Vitamin C, a well-known immune system booster. They’re also rich in citric acid and potassium, 2 essential nutrients that promote a strong, healthy body. Maple syrup provides essential energy from potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese and amino acids. Cayenne pepper has been used as a body detoxifier, appetite suppressant, metabolism booster and an all-natural stimulant for hundreds of years. Read More
Meal Replacements
We’ve written about the benefits of a good meal replacement shake before. In a study presented at the annual meeting of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, researchers found that regularly drinking meal replacement shakes increased the chances of losing weight and keeping it off.
What are your favorite healthy drinks?
