The article starts off by stating "Say So Long to Soda", which is great advice as soda pop, diet or otherwise, especially with the artificial sweetener Aspartame, is a terrible product to consume.
Fitness Magazine offer's the tip to drink plain water or sparkling water with lemon instead of soda. However most people want some type of actual flavor rather than drinking something that tastes like you emptied it out of a clothes iron. So Fitness Magazine also offers these recommendations:
Green Tea
The Benefit: Helps reduce risk of osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and cavities. Green tea contains a rich concentration of flavonoids and polyphenols, natural antioxidants that may protect cells from carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) and inhibit tumor growth by helping to neutralize free radicals in the body. The tea's antioxidants may also guard against heart disease by relaxing blood vessels, inhibiting the formation of blood clots that trigger heart attacks and strokes. Green tea also contains fluoride, which strengthens teeth; the flavonoids may build up bones as well, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and tooth decay. Calories: 0
Mint Tea
The Benefit: Eases cramps and helps ward off indigestion. "Mint is an antispasmodic, so it can relax muscles, which combats stiffness and aches," says Susan Lark, MD, author of The Chemistry of Success (Bay Books, 1999). It also aids in digestion by promoting the movement of food through the digestive tract. Calories: 0
One Percent Reduced-Fat Milk
The Benefit: Curbs cravings and helps protect against osteoporosis. Because it has the components of a healthy meal -- carbohydrates, protein, and a little fat -- you absorb it slowly and stay full longer, says Molly Pelzer, RD, a nutrition educator in Tipton, Iowa. It also stabilizes blood sugar, so you're less susceptible to cravings. Milk is the ideal source of calcium, because it contains vitamin D, which is needed for maximum calcium absorption. It may also help your body stop storing fat. In a recent study, women who consumed three to four servings of low-fat dairy foods (milk being one) lost nearly twice as much weight as those who took in lower amounts. "The calcium causes your body's cells to burn the fat instead of holding on to it," says Pelzer. "This makes it easier to reach and maintain your goal
weight." Calories: 120 for 8 ounces.
MyAchingKnees Comment: I buy whole milk and cut it to a 1:1 ratio with cold tap water. Tastes good and makes my bucks go a greater distance. Also use this same mix for my low-glycemic meal replacement drinks every morning.
Soy Milk
The Benefit: Lowers risk of heart disease. Soy milk contains soluble fiber and soy protein, which lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and triglycerides, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. If you're drinking it instead of cow's milk, buy soy milk fortified with calcium and vitamins A and D. One caveat: Soy contains phytoestrogens, which may be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Talk to
your doctor about drinking soy milk if you have a family history of the disease or have had it yourself. Calories: 81 for 8 ounces.
MyAchingKnees Comment: Sure, drink Soy milk if you can stand the taste. I'd rather drink warm ketchup juice.
Hot Chocolate
The Benefit: Improves mood and may help protect against heart disease. Chocolate increases the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood. (Low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression.) Cocoa is also rich in polyphenols, plant-derived antioxidants that may protect cells against oxidative damage that can lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels, possibly putting you at higher risk for a heart attack. Calories: 195 for 8 ounces homemade cocoa; 115 for a powdered mix.
MyAchingKnees Comment: My choice over Hot Chocolate? Black Coffee.
Low-Sodium Tomato Juice
The Benefit: May protect against numerous cancers. Processed tomato products are the richest source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been associated with a reduced risk of lung and stomach cancer, as well as pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, oral, breast, and cervical cancers. Lycopene also appears to protect the lungs and heart against oxidative damage, helping to ward off cardiovascular disease. Calories: 31 for 6 ounces.
Cranberry Juice
The Benefit: Helps prevent gum disease. Research suggests that the same antibacterial properties present in cranberry juice that fight off urinary tract infections may also protect against periodontal disease. Experts theorize that a component of the juice called nondialysable material (NDM) inhibits bacteria from sticking to the gums. Many nutritionists are wary of fruit juices because of their sugar content, so limit your intake to no more than one glass (6 to 8 ounces) daily. "Make sure the label says 100 percent juice, not 'juice drink' or 'cocktail,'" suggests Heidi Reichenberger, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. You can find this type of juice in health-food stores and some supermarkets. Calories: 140 for 8 ounces.
Orange Juice
The Benefit: May ward off cataracts, cancers, and birth defects and boost immunity. An excellent source of vitamin C, orange juice is also a potent antioxidant that may protect against a variety of diseases including cataracts (a clouding of the eye's lens that can lead to blindness) and lung cancer. Vitamin C may prevent oxidative damage that can cause cells to become cancerous, and it improves immune-cell functioning, enabling your body to fight off infections more efficiently. And it's a good source of folate, which protects against neural-tube defects in fetuses. To get the extra benefit of bone protection, try some calcium-fortified orange juice. Calories: 115 for 8 ounces.
MyAchingKnees Comment: Make sure you buy the "not from concentrate". I drink the brand called "Simply Orange" and in fact I use all their juice products - "not from concentrate". Vitamin C is also a nutrient thought to be significant for joint health, particularly connective tissue health. Vitamin C is one of the ingredients in the Glucosamine based product I take.
There's another awesome article like the one at Fitness Magazine you mentioned. It's called Top 10 Healthy Drinks to Help you Lose Weight. Hope this will help add a few healthy drinks to your list.
ReplyDelete