7 BEST HEALTHY DRINKS

7 BEST HEALTHY DRINKS BESIDES WATER IN 2024

Healthy drinks? Are you kidding me? Who wants to drink healthy drinks? Obviously YOU! Let’s face it, when it comes to staying hydrated, flushing out toxins, and maintaining healthy organs, water can’t be beat. But what if you and/or your child doesn’t like drinking plain water, and want healthy drinks besides their 8-ounce cups of water each and every day?

Below are the 7 best healthy drinks besides water that have no unhealthy, artificial, or sugary ingredients and are easy to prepare at home and are quite affordable.

Healthy Drinks Besides Water

Unless you and your child have allergies or have been advised to avoid them, these healthy drinks are safe and healthy to consume. They may also be good for people with health issues like high blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes and safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

7 BEST HEALTHY DRINKS

1. Green tea

• Green tea is one of the best healthy drinks around because it is rich in polyphenols and natural antioxidants that can slow down aging and protect cells from toxins and carcinogens. Antioxidants can help protect against heart disease by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the risk of blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

• Green tea also contains fluoride, which strengthens teeth, and flavonoids, which strengthens bones. These reduce the risk of tooth decay and osteoporosis.

2. Mint tea

• Mint is an antispasmodic, which means it can help relax the body and reduce stiffness and pain. It makes the healthy drinks cut, because it also helps digestion by promoting the movement of food through the digestive tract. 

• Mint has a cooling effect, so it is good to drink to fight heat. You can drink it cold mixed with freshly squeezed lemon juice during the hot summer months.

3. Black coffee

• Black coffee is yet another healthy drink option if consumed in moderation. When you black coffee in the morning, it provides protective health benefits from heart disease and dementia.

4. Fat-free milk

• Milk makes the healthy drinks cut, because it contains components of a healthy meal, including carbohydrates, protein, and a little fat. It therefore helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce cravings. 

• Milk is also rich in calcium and contains vitamin D. Calcium helps burn fat cells, and vitamin D helps with optimum calcium absorption. However, make sure you don’t have any allergies to milk.

5. Soy milk or almond milk

• Soy milk is a great option if you are vegan or want to cut back on dairy milk. Rich in fiber and protein, it helps lower bad cholesterol levels and triglycerides and lessens the risk of heart disease. You can also buy fortified soy milk, which is enriched with calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D. 

• However, keep in mind that soy contains phytoestrogens, which are believed to be associated with the risk of breast cancer. So women are advised to consult a doctor about whether soy products are recommended, especially if they have a family history or breast cancer.

• Almond milk is rich in protein and very low in calories. It is also a good source of vitamin E and D. The ones that are fortified contain other vitamins and minerals, making it even more nutritious.

6. Hot chocolate

• Chocolate milk without sugar can be a healthy drink option when consumed in moderation. Cocoa boosts the production of serotonin, which helps regulate mood and reduce the risk of depression. Cocoa is also rich in polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants. 

• Hot chocolate can be prepared by adding a spoon of cocoa powder to fat-free dairy milk, soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, etc.

7. Orange or lemon juice

• Freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice , and even Aloe Vera juice that you buy at the store (unsqueezed) are excellent sources of vitamin C. These juices contain potent antioxidants that can protect against a wide variety of diseases, lessen your chances of getting cancer, boost your immunity, improve digestion, and help with skin tone. It is better to drink freshly squeezed juices if possible,, instead of packaged ones, which contain preservatives and added sugar in most cases.

Homemade smoothies (Honorable Mention)

Is Orange Juice Better Than A Smoothie?

Juices can sometimes be less calorie-dense than smoothies, so they can often be added to a regular diet as a snack or dietary health aid. They do contain important nutrients, but not to the extent that the skin and other solid elements of a fruit or vegetable smoothies can provide.

Homemade smoothies can be made by blending fresh fruits, vegetables, greens, and nuts. They contain tons of nutrients and can be very filling.

What Drinks Should You Avoid?

Below Are 7 Types Of Drinks To Avoid:

1. Fancy coffee drinks

Fancy coffee drinks served at cafes and restaurants often contain up to 800 calories and 1/3 of the maximum recommended intake for artery-clogging saturated fat. There is a reason why they taste so sweet. With 170 grams of sugar in a typical drink, you get more of a sugar shock than a caffeine buzz. Put some whipped cream on top of it and you have a drink that’s far from healthy.

2. Sweetened iced tea

A standard can of peach iced tea contains 34 grams of added sugar, almost 9 teaspoons of the stuff which exceeds the daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association. If it’s pre-sweetened, you have no control over how much added sugar (or artificial sweeteners) are being added to your drink. 

3. Flavored waters and sports drinks

Flavored and infused waters may deliver a few extra vitamins but usually contain added sugars and preservatives. Many sports drinks on the market also have artificial sweeteners and unhealthy additives. While some have electrolytes mixed with water, many of these drinks aren’t as healthy as the claims on the labels.

4. Soda (both diet and regular)

Most people are aware that regular soda is loaded with sugar and artificial additives. And while diet sodas do have low or zero calories, they also contain preservatives.  If you’re looking for a fizzy, refreshing drink, try plain soda water (carbonated water or sparkling water) instead.

5. Cocktails

Cocktails are often loaded with sugar. They usually don’t use fresh fruits and instead contain artificial essences, food coloring, and syrups.

6. Packaged fruit drinks and smoothies

While freshly squeezed fruit juices are considered healthy drinks, packaged fruit drinks and smoothies are usually filled with sugar and additives. Each pack may contain up to 700 calories.

7. Energy drinks

Most energy drinks contain  an unhealthy amount of caffeine, sugar, artificial coloring, and preservatives. These drinks give a short-term burst of energy but can make you crash later, and they also can have long-term negative effects on the body.

CONCLUSION

I hope you enjoyed my blog post on the “7 best healthy drinks”. If I can help people find healthier drink alternatives in 2024 my work as a blogger would feel complete. By the way, please let me know If you find any particular drink that suits your needs after you’ve in fact ordered it in the comments below, Thanks!