Nourishing Beverages

Drinking water is on top of the list for maintaining good health while quenching our thirst. It maintains our bodily functions, hydrates our skin and carries out toxins and waste from our bodies. However, there is a demand for variety in our diets. One could simply infuse fruits and green herbs (such as mint or cilantro) into their water to add benefits and boost flavor, but there are other options.

Coconut water

Photo Credit: Diego Torres Silvestre

Equally hydrating as water (1), coconut water earned the title as a "natural sports drink". It is a great source for electrolyte replacement with a fair percentage of electrolytes per serving (2):

*12%  Potassium 

-Lowers blood pressure (3)
-Stabilizes blood sugar (4)
-Encourages and maintains proper brain function (5)

*15% Magnesium (5)

-Supports proper nerve function
-Aids in cardiovascular health
-Active mineral in energy production

*6% Calcium (6)

-Important for proper muscle function
-Aids in maintaining strong bones
-Releases hormones (ex: insulin)

These electrolytes also help maintain proper blood volume and prevent dehydration.
*(per one cup serving)

Aloe Vera Juice

Photo Credit: Erin Silversmith

This plant has numerous health benefits including positive effects on the immune system, relieving constipation, and reducing oxidative stress. It is also high in antioxidants making it extremely beneficial in fighting free radicals in the body. (7)
Aloe Vera is found in many marketplaces but since many of these premade drinks or other products have processed the aloe vera with damaging temperatures, the health benefits are extremely minimized. Not to mention, many of these products are laden with sugars and artificial preservatives.
The best solution is to either grow or buy the leaves whole and make the juice yourself. It's quite a simple process:
  1. Take one Aloe Vera leaf and peel it with a sharp knife. ( Start with the base, then the two sides then the front and back) Take caution as the gel is slippery. 
  2. Dip the aloe piece into cool water to remove the yellow-ish sap (This sap under the skin of the aloe contains extreme laxative effects) 
  3. Dice the aloe into smaller pieces then add to a blender
  4. Add water to achieve the desired consistency
  5. Blend well then enjoy! 
Tip: You can add other ingredients to the blender as well such as ginger or lemon.

Green Tea

Photo Credit: Milica

The antioxidant content of green tea makes it an ally in cancer prevention. It also supports this by reducing stress on a cellular level and supporting the immune system. It contains many trace elements that include calcium, manganese, and magnesium; these three, in particular, all supports bone health and can aid in the prevention of osteoporosis. These unfermented leaves may also suppress glucose elevation which can potentially help those who are suffering from diabetes. (8)

When purchasing, try to opt for higher quality and organic green tea. 

Watermelon Juice 

Photo Credit: Steve Evans

Related to the cucumber, this delicious fruit has an ample amount of vitamin C that supports the immune system to fight diseases. Watermelon also contains vitamin B6; this helps the body metabolize proteins. It reduces high blood pressure, supports eye health and contains relatively small amounts of electrolytes. It is 92% water thus making it a very good source of hydration.(9) (10) 

Watermelon does contain fructose so if juiced, it should be consumed in moderation. Blending the fresh fruit retains its dietary fiber reducing the elevation of blood sugar.  



It's best to avoid premade drinks as many contain added sugars and artificial preservatives that wreak havoc on the body. It's very important to read labels and avoid marketing tricks that may lead you into believing that you are purchasing a "health product". While there are some decent products out there that are not a huge risk to indulge in, it can never replace what you could gain from fresh fruits and vegetables.



Disclaimers

  • All product reviews are based on my experiences. Please be advised that everyone may not have the same experience. I am not affiliated with any product or marketing unless otherwise noted. Please check with manufacture disclaimers prior to use of any product.
  • All advice, information, and remedies should be taken into severe consideration. Please contact your health practitioner or holistic practitioner if you are struggling with a disease or currently taking any form of medication, pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • These statements-unless otherwise noted- have not been evaluated by the FDA 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Product Review: Mine Botanicals African Black Soap

Image
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم I love finding natural body care products! When I was first introduced to this line, it was given to me as a gift from my parents. It has been a favorite ever since! I have only tried these four varieties, but each of them has never failed to deliver some form of satisfaction for my skin. What I love most about these products is that I can recognize every ingredient and see the benefits from each one. All of these soaps add softness and rejuvenate my skin. I particularly like the smell of the African Black soap enriched with Tea Tree, Shea butter, and Aloe vera .  The Milk And Honey enriched with Coconut oil and Shea Butter is the most hydrating, so I prefer using this or the one with Oatmeal on my face. It has proven itself as an excellent support for irritated skin. The very first one that I have tried was the African Black Soap Organic Shea Butter enriched with Avocado oil and Black seed . Not only did I use this one as a body soap but as
Read more

Edible Mushrooms

Image
A familiar sight in savory dishes, the mushroom has trecked throughout history earning a worthy place in cuisines around the globe. It was considered a "plant of immortality" by the Ancient Egyptians, who entitled it strictly for the pharaoh's enjoyment. The medicinal properties were held into account as well as its culinary purpose. In Rome, wild-foraged mushrooms were thoroughly enjoyed in the diet. Different ways of cultivating the mushrooms were introduced early in Roman civilization, around 200 BC.[ 1 , 2 ] Mushroom farming became popular in the Western world by a French gardener by the name of Chambry. He discovered the effectiveness of growing mushrooms in caves, where the humidity was high. With the abundance of deserted caves, mushrooms were grown all throughout Paris. [ 3 ] Types of Mushrooms and Their Benefits  The most recognized and used mushrooms in the US are White Buttons, Portabella, and Criminis ( Baby Bellas- which are just immature portabella mu
Read more

The Tree's Candy: Dates

Image
Dates are very popular this time of year due to the Blessed Month of Ramadhan. It's highly recommended for Muslims to break their fast with three dates and water upon the setting of the sun.  I remember seeing a freshly opened box of dates as a child and an adult handing me three plump dates into my eager hands. I would hear them say that dates were healthy for you but at that time, all I knew it was the best candy-fruit in the world. Photo Credit: Stan Shebs Background Dates were cultivated about 7,000 years ago in what is now modern Iraq, Iran, and the Indus Valley area near Pakistan. Before then, however, dates were still flourishing and eaten all over North Africa and the Middle East. It was the fruit of the nomads and kings alike. It's naturally bacteria-resistant due to its high sugar content making it a perfect survival food that can practically last forever once dried.  [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] Aside from eating them as a plain fruit, the flesh of dates could be
Read more