As the weather heats up, I wanted to remind you that one of the most important things you can do is to keep yourself hydrated. I firmly believe that getting plenty of pure, clean water (at least eight to 10, eight-ounce glasses per day) is a must.
However, water isn’t the focus of this particular blog. There are a handful of other beverages out there that not only satisfy thirst but also confer multiple health benefits.
- Green tea is known for its therapeutic polyphenols which have proven protective against cancer, heart disease, and even cavities. Green tea is also a natural, mild thermogenic agent that can be taken as a pre-meal beverage or supplement to boost your metabolism. During the summer months, I like to drink iced green tea with a sprig of mint.
- Black tea accounts for nearly 80 percent of all tea consumption worldwide, and here in the US, a whopping 90 percent of the tea we drink is black. Not a bad choice, considering this type of tea has been shown to reduce risk of skin cancer, lower LDL cholesterol, and protect against heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
- White tea. Less well known than its black and green counterparts, white tea boasts its own health benefits — along with a sweeter, milder taste. Because it’s processed from younger buds and leaves, white tea contains lower levels of caffeine. Even more important, when green, black, white, and oolong teas were tested for their ability to hinder pre-cancerous mutations in cells, white tea came out on top.
- Low sodium V8 juice. Unlike most fruit juices, tomato juice contains very little sugar, so it doesn’t wreak havoc on blood sugar levels. Furthermore, it is a great source of lycopene, which has been shown to help prevent cancer of the prostate, lung, stomach, pancreas, and colon.
Now it’s your turn: Which of these beverages do you drink?
