Drink Your Way To Good Health

By Jermaic Honsher

As people become more concerned about healthy food choices, healthy drinks should be viewed as equally important. The next time you need to quench your thirst, reach for these healthy options:

Water. Your body needs to stay well-hydrated in order to function normally. Drinking water helps regulate your body temperature, so it is very important to drink water during exercise. Your body loses water through your breathing and by sweating while you exercise. Dehydration slows down your body's metabolism and impedes healing. Water promotes the circulation of blood and vital fluids within our bodies. Water also revitalizes, detoxifies, and oxygenates the skin. There is simply no substitute for water and everyone should drink at least 8 glasses every day.

Cranberry juice. Not only are cranberries packed with vitamin C, studies show that drinking cranberry juice can help prevent bladder and urinary tract infections. Cranberries contain an ingredient that prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder, making this little red berry not only tasty, but pretty useful too. The antioxidant properties in a glass of cranberry juice can help rid your body of harmful free radicals and and help reduce inflammation. Avoid sugary cranberry juice cocktails and choose 100% natural cranberry juice instead.

Green tea. The health benefits of green tea are seemingly endless. Green tea is not only a major source of antioxidants, but it can also help reduce the over-production of harmful enzymes in your body that may eventually lead to cancer. Forget your morning cup of coffee and enjoy a relaxing cup of green tea instead. Naturally occurring compounds in green tea are responsible for regulating blood sugar levels by promoting glucose metabolism, blocking glucose absorption and increasing insulin activity.

Don't be fooled by these sugary, colorful drinks. They may masquerade as healthy and inviting, but in fact, these beverage are loaded with extra sugar and fat.

Fancy coffee drinks. The traditional cup of coffee has had quite a make-over, and not in a healthy way. In addition to the huge dose of caffeine, fancy coffee drinks are laden with fat and calories from extras such as whipped cream, flavored syrups, chocolate sprinkles, even candy pieces.

Summer cocktails. Don't be tempted by fancy drinks with a little paper umbrella. It's probably the healthiest ingredient in many popular summertime drinks. Sweet summer drinks like margaritas, daiquiris, and pina coladas are packed with calories due to the alcohol and sugar.

Smoothies. Don't be lured by the health claims made by some smoothie makers. Many smoothies claim to be healthy but the added fat and calories tell a very different story. Sugary juices, full-fat dairy products, and other extras make this drink a high calorie mistake. - 30246

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