Most of us have our favourite daily drink whether it’s a simple green tea (I prefer the flavoured varieties!), a delicious fruit smoothie or a glass of wine in the evening.
Staying adequately hydrated is vital for good mental and physical health, but there are some beverages that not only taste amazing — they also offer some additional health benefits as well!
- Infuse your Water
You’re probably aware that the body needs around 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid a day, but from time to time we can all become slightly bored with plain old water. Try squeezing some fresh lemon or lime juice into your water or how about adding some strawberry slices or crushed raspberries. And if it’s hot outside try my fruity flavoured ice-cubes! Fresh fruit juices are the best option towards introducing some vitamins into your drink, as opposed to store bought juice-drinks that can have high amounts of flavourings and added sugar, but make sure to keep your intake to no more than 150ml a day.
- Green Tea Super Boost
Green tea dates back thousands of years and is renowned for being full of antioxidants and nutrients. The Chinese have long used this beverage to treat headaches and depression, but longer-term research is needed to see if these findings stand true. More information is also needed about the caffeine and catechins in green tea which have been theorised to bolster the metabolism.
- The Tastiest Smoothies
Health food stores have been selling pureed fruit beverages since the 1930s, but the smoothie drink market didn’t become hugely popular in the UK until the 1980s. However, when it comes to health benefits home-made is best to minimise sugar levels in the drink. Smoothies are easy to make and you can pack lots of vitamins and other nutrients into them by adding strawberries, bananas, mangos and other fruits. Of course you can go for the extra-healthy option of a vegetable smoothie (simply add a handful of spinach!) or blend in some walnuts or almonds for some essential omega-3 fats.
- A little Wine (!)
Red wine, as drunk around the Mediterranean, is particularly known for its heart-healthy benefits, thanks to the antioxidants, although there are some studies that have found white wine may also improve heart function. Moderate consumption is crucial however, so it’s a case of a little of what you fancy does you good; for information about alcohol guidelines check out NHS Choices.
Variety is the spice of life and you can alternate your drinks to suit your taste, mood and lifestyle. Almost every fluid we ingest will hydrate but some beverages will do the job more efficiently while providing additional health benefits.. what is your favourite way to stay hydrated?
*Images by Wrtchy and Porto Bay Events, used under the Creative Commons license. This blog post was written in coloration with Tesco. Please read my disclaimer page for more information.
