Now, this article is about my favourite beverages other than water. Basically water always comes at number one for me because I think it has the most benefits than any other liquid. Thats why I try to drink water as much as I can and tell others around me the same. But if I talk about other healthy beverages, there are so many of them that I also like. Still I've chosen my favourite 5...
1. GREEN TEA
So green tea is the number one beverage after water for me. And trust me when I say that it is so good for you and one of the healthiest beverage that I've come across. It is considered to be an “anti-aging beverage.” "It's the healthiest thing I can think of to drink," says Christopher Ochner, PhD (a research scientist).
If we talk about its origin, green tea actually comes from the same plant from where normal tea is obtained. Scientifically, it is known as "Camellia sinensis". In fact, it is the same tea but it is processed differently. The normal black tea is obtained by fermenting the tea leaves. This fermentation changes its color and flavor while raising the level of caffeine and tannin in it. On the other hand, in the case of green tea, fresh harvested leaves are quickly steamed to prevent fermentation, resulting in a dry stable product. Throughout Asia, this beverage has a multitude of uses from lowering blood pressure to preventing cancer. It is very beneficial for weight loss. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories. It also delays aging.
Research shows that people who regularly drink green tea do not fall victim to common bacterial and viral infections as easily as those who do not add it to their diet. It boosts the immune system. Studies show that green tea significantly reduces LDL cholesterol ( low- density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol) concentrations. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage. Some studies show that it is also very effective in the prevention of cancer and some say that it has no effect on cancer. Apart from causing premature aging, free radicals are also responsible for causing certain types of cancer. The catechins present in green tea may help neutralize these free radicals, prevent the formation of carcinogens like nitrosamines and reduce the risk of cancer. Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidant “catechin” in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions. Studies have also shown that the effects of catechins on eye diseases and found that consuming more catechins may help protect the eyes from oxidative damage and vision loss.
All in all green tea is very beneficial for our health. There are also many different types of green tea like Sencha, Matcha, Bancha, etc... First originated in China but now it has become much popular all over the world. It’s important to point out that while it might be very beneficial, drinking green tea alone likely won’t improve your life span or protect you from disease. Research suggests that a combination of lifestyle components account for the health benefits observed in people that drink tea. So in order to feel better, lose weight and lower your risk of chronic diseases, you might want to consider making green tea a regular part of your life....
2. LEMONADE
Lemonades are just amazing and delicious as drinking in the summer. Nowadays, many restaurants serve it routinely, and some people start their day with lemon water instead of coffee or tea. There’s no doubt lemons are delicious, but does adding them to water make you healthier? It actually does.
Lemon is one of the most popular and versatile citrus fruit. Along with its obvious use as a flavor, lemon since long has also been used for its medicinal value. A rich source of vitamin C, lemon possess immense health benefits ranging from its antibacterial and antiviral properties to its immune boosting abilities. They give flavor to many sauces, salad dressings, marinades, drinks, and desserts. lemon water promotes hydration and it also aids in digestion. As some people drink lemon water as a daily morning laxative to help prevent constipation. Drinking warm or hot lemon water when you wake up may help get your digestive system moving. Lemon juice is also very effective at cleansing the liver as it promotes the liver to flush out toxins. With its powerful antibacterial properties, lemon juice helps fight infections. It also helps fight common cold. It also freshens our breath. We can avoid bad breath by drinking a glass of lemon water after meals and first thing in the morning.
The citric acid in lemons may help prevent kidney stones. Drinking lemon water not only gets you citrate, but also the water you need to help prevent or flush out stones. Lemon’s anti-inflammatory properties help in fighting respiratory tract infections, sore throat and inflammation of tonsils. Lemon water is also a popular remedy for many kinds of skin problems ranging from acne, rashes and wrinkles to dark spots. It is great source of Vitamin C and it may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and lower blood pressure.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in developed countries and a leading cause of anemia. Pairing foods that are high in vitamin C with foods that are iron-rich maximizes the body's ability to absorb iron. It can also assist in treating a person who is suffering from a cold, flu or fever. It helps break fevers by increasing perspiration. Lemon juice has proven itself useful in the treatment of hair care on a wide scale. When applied to the scalp, the juice can treat problems like dandruff, hair loss and other problems related to the hair and scalp. Using lemon juice on the site of old burns can help fade the scars, and since it is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin while you have an irritating burn.
Lemon water is generally safe to drink, but there are a few potential side effects to be aware of. When it comes to heartburn, lemon water can go either way. The citric acid may cause heartburn in some people. Others experience relief from heartburn, as lemon juice becomes alkaline, reducing acidity in digestion. But aside from that it has major health benefits too. Adding lemon to your water may help you drink more throughout the day and keep you hydrated . Staying hydrated is critical to good health, so in my opinion lemon water is pretty much a great addition to our diet.
3. HOT CHOCOLATE
First of all, hot chocolate is very delicious but did you know that it is also good for your health too? In any region, hot chocolate is a cup of cheer especially as the weather starts cooling down. In the midst of winter, hot chocolate is a satisfying and soothing beverage that can warm chilled hands. Hot chocolate has been around for centuries, and considered a “drink of the Gods.” Hot cocoa is a powerful elixir – one which boosts mood and vitality and combats stress, anxiety, and pain.
Hot chocolate is a heated beverage made from shaved chocolate, melted chocolate buds, or cocoa powder mixed with sugar and heated milk or water.A large body of research shows that cocoa has many heath benefits, likely due to beneficial antioxidants called flavanols that have potential disease-fighting properties. Hot chocolate is good for your heart: the milk in hot cocoa can help protect against strokes. Cocoa flavanols can lower blood pressure and maintain healthy blood vessel function by making blood vessels more flexible and able to expand to improve blood flow. Healthy fats in dark cocoa help blood absorb sugar slowly, which prevents insulin spikes so in this way it is easy on our blodd sugar level. A UK-based study found that a big cup of hot chocolate can help produce better math skills. Dark chocolate can lower high blood pressure, according to a medical study performed in Germany, and milk, full of calcium and Vitamin D, can reduce blood pressure as well. They can be brilliant combined!
Cocoa flavanols can also improve blood vessel function in the brain, and might help reverse age-related memory decline in healthy older adults.
A preliminary study found that the group drinking a cocoa drink for 3 months improved the function of a brain area important for memory and performed significantly better on memory tests than the control group. The tannins in cocoa contain oxalic acid, which lowers acid production and reduces plaque growth. This prevents tooth decay as long you practice good dental hygiene every day. In addition, dark hot cocoa contains theobromine, known to harden enamel and help prevent discoloration. Your morning mug of dark chocolate is loaded with flavonoids, much loved for increasing the skin’s hydration and improving complexion. They also absorb harmful UV light, protecting you from skin cancer. n addition to cocoa’s positive impact on age-related mental degeneration, its effect on the brain may also improve mood and symptoms of depression.
One study on chocolate consumption and stress levels in pregnant women found that more frequent intake of chocolate was associated with reduced stress and improved mood in babies . It is also very important that we make our own hot chocolate as it is more natural and organic The general rules when we're making a hot chocolate should be:
The darker the chocolate, the more antioxidants it contains.
The higher cocoa content, the more antioxidants it contains.
The less sugar, the better it is for your overall health.
Cocoa has captivated the world for thousands of years and is a big part of modern cuisine in the form of chocolate. It has much benefits but remember that chocolate still contains significant quantities of sugar and fats, so if you’re going to use it, stick to reasonable portion sizes and combine it with a healthy balanced diet.
4. GINGER TEA
“Everything good is found in ginger,” states an old Indian proverb. ginger has been used for millennia to spice food and treat ailments. Ginger is native to Asia and is the flowering plant of the Zingiberaceae family. Its root, or stem, adds flavor to many types of cuisine, but is also an ancient herbal remedy for a host of ailments. Currently, India and China produce most of the world’s ginger because it grows best in warm, damp areas.
The aromatic, spicy root has long been used in both traditional and Western healing systems to make tea. Ginger tea brings with it a host of powerful health benefits. The phenolic compounds in ginger are known to help relieve gastrointestinal (GI) irritation, stimulate saliva and bile production, and suppress gastric contractions as food and fluids move through the GI tract. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties that make it an ideal home remedy for muscle and joint problems. In addition to drinking ginger tea, you can also use it to soak inflamed joints. It is also a great source of pain relief. Ginger tea may also help alleviate headaches, menstrual cramps, sore muscles, and other types of pain.It’s believed that the antioxidants in ginger can help strengthen your immunity and reduce stress.
Chewing raw ginger or drinking ginger tea is a common home remedy for nausea during cancer treatment. Ginger is safe to use during pregnancy, to relieve nausea. It is available in the form of ginger lozenges or candies. Ginger tea has calming properties that may help lower your stress and tension. This is thought to be due to a combination of the strong aroma and healing properties. Research has even shown that ginger may help prevent cancer. In laboratory research ginger has been shown to fight several different types of cancer cells, including pancreatic cancer and colon cancer. During cold weather, drinking ginger tea is good way to keep warm. It is diaphoretic, which means that it promotes sweating, working to warm the body from within.
It also relieves menstrual discomfort when it is taken with honey. The vitamins, minerals and amino acids in ginger tea can help restore and improve blood circulation that may help decrease the chance of cardiovascular problems. Ginger may prevent fat from depositing in the arteries helping to prevent heart attacks and stroke. Other possible uses include reducing cholesterol, lowering the risk of blood clotting, and helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Drinking ginger tea can have side effects, but you’re unlikely to experience problems unless you consume very large amounts. Nausea, heartburn, gas are some of the symptoms reported by people. Although you probably shouldn’t go overboard with it, ginger tea is an easy, delicious, and all-natural way to promote good health. In addition to the many health benefits, you can also simply sit back with a warm mug, breathe in, sip slowly, and enjoy.
5. COFFEE
Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, the seeds of berries from certain Coffea species. There has been much debate about coffee being a good drink for our health or not due to the presence of caffeine. Studies have shown that that drinking coffee every day can help lower your risk of many serious health conditions and even help you feel better. There are good reasons to drink coffee and there are a few reasons not to. Thanks to its high levels of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients, coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases.
Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels. That’s because it contain caffeine — the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, which causes a stimulant effect. This improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function. Italian researchers found that coffee consumption lowers the risk of liver cancer by about 40%. In addition, some of the results suggest that if you drink three cups a day, the risks are reduced by more than 50%. Studies have shown that drinking coffee can actually raise your metabolism and help you burn fat at a faster rate, thus positively affecting your weight loss. Caffeine does this by stimulating your nervous system, causing it to send signals to your fat cells to break down body fat. It can also improve physical performance it increases epinephrine (adrenaline) levels in your blood which is the fight-or-flight hormone, which prepares your body for intense physical exertion. Coffee is the number one source of antioxidants in the U.S., according to researchers.
It also helps in reducing pain. Two cups of coffee can cut post-workout muscle pain by up to 48%. Even moderate consumption of coffee can reduce the odds of developing colorectal cancer by 26%. This protective benefit increases with more consumption. Many of the nutrients in coffee beans make their way into the finished brewed coffee. A single cup of coffee may contain nutrients like Vitamin B2, B3, B5, Potassium and Manganese. It is also characterized by elevated blood sugar levels caused by insulin resistance or a reduced ability to secrete insulin. Several observational studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of type 2 diabetes, a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. There have been studies that show that moderate coffee drinking lowered the risk of coronary heart disease in women.
Studies have shown that higher coffee and caffeine intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of Parkinson’s Disease. his benefit, along with the reduction in AD and dementia, make coffee an important part of your strategy to get older without losing your mental strength and clarity. Recent study has shown that risk for developing gout (in men) decreases with increasing coffee consumption.
For most people, coffee can be a healthy part of the diet. But if it is consumed in high amounts, then it also has some possible risks. Caffeine can cause anxiety symptoms in normal individuals, especially in vulnerable patients, like those with pre-existing anxiety disorders or having a negative effect on cardiovascular health in young adults with mild hypertension or it can also cause dehydration.
Coffee is a highly popular beverage around the globe that boasts a number of impressive health benefits. If you enjoy its taste and tolerate its caffeine content, don’t hesitate to pour yourself a cup or more throughout the day. But the key is MODERATION.
So these were my favourite beverages, let me know if you people drink any of them and tell me your favourite drink in the comments below.....
























































































