We all know water is beverage royalty, but it doesn’t always have to answer your thirstiness. There are many beverages that can quench your thirst and also provide you with plenty of essential nutrients and vitamins in between water sips! Our favorites are:
- Beet Juice
this may not sound as appetizing as some of the others on our list, but beets have an impressive roster of benefits including magnesium, calcium and iron. Beets have also shown promise in helping lower blood pressure, increase blood flow to the brain and cleanse the liver. So you can knock back the occasional shot of beet juice in exchange for these nutritional treasures, hey?
- Pure Cranberry Juice
It seems research can finally declare that cranberry juice fighting off urinary tract infections is more than just a myth. Multiple studies have proven cranberry juice effective against harmful bacteria such as e-coli. In addition to their infection-fighting ways, cranberries are jam-packed with antioxidants. Cranberry juice is a great choice for a thirst quencher, but pure juice is your best option as it doesn’t contain all the sugars and sweeteners of cocktails. You can dilute it with water if it tastes too strong.
- Lemon juice
You can make homemade sugar-free lemonade with water, fresh lemons and a splash of stevia, or simply drink lemon with hot or warm water. However you drink it, lemon water is all the rage lately. There doesn’t seem to be much empirical research to back some of the weight loss claims about alkaline water, but lemons themselves do boast plenty of vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and protein. So how could squeezing one of these bad-boys into your water not be good for you?
- Skim or low fat milk
It is a well known fact that milk is high in calcium, protein and vitamin D, so it definitely makes our list. However, choosing low fat or skim milk is the best plan to get the full effects with less added sugar and fat. If you are lactose intolerant, try soymilk which is also rich in calcium and protein.
- Black and Herbal Teas
Teas not only make our list, but could have a list of their own because of all their respective benefits. According to Harvard’s Nutrition Source, regular consumption of green and black teas can help lower the risk of stroke and cancer. All teas contain helpful polyphenol antioxidants which help the body in all kinds of ways. Ginger tea is especially good for the digestive tract.
- Coconut water
Coconut water is a great source of electrolytes, making it a great post-workout drink. It is also high in magnesium and other nutrients and low in fat. Coconut water has made strides in skincare, helping reduce blood pressure and aiding digestion when routinely consumed.
- Fresh squeezed OJ
Aside from being rich in vitamin C, oranges also contain quercetin, a phytochemical compound which has shown promise in aiding allergy symptoms. Being that hay fever season is beginning, try loading up on freshly squeezed orange juice. Mix it with some pure cranberry juice for a delightful, nutritious fair-weather cocktail.
- Fruit-Veggie Smoothies
Tossing a bunch of fruits and veggies in the blender to make a super smoothie is a great way to ingest several produce servings in one go, gaining yourself countless vitamins and minerals. Any combination will do as long as it tastes good to your palate (everyone’s ideal combination may be a little different). Juicing is another way to do this. Either way, you can’t lose!
- Drinkable Vitamins
Pure (or naturally sweetened) water soluble vitamin and mineral drink mixtures can be very healthful when taken under the right circumstances. Many vitamins and minerals you take in pill form can be purchased in powder form to be mixed with water. These taste delightful. You should make sure there is no added sugar or many extra ingredients (stevia and citrus flavours are commonly added, but both are beneficial ingredients). Be sure to consult your doctor first before trying any of these.
- Pure juice spritzer
People sometimes forget about carbonated water. It is the same as drinking straight water, just with the added fun of bubbles! Carbonated water (in equal parts) goes great with pure fruit juices such as pomegranate, blueberry or cranberry. A pure juice spritzer is the perfect healthy summer treat.
We hope you find a few drinks on this list that will help satiate your thirst when you’re craving something other than water. You won’t have to reach for the high-sugar sodas and artificial juices anymore! Thanks for visiting DocChat! We hope you’ll return again soon.
