What Makes Your Drinks Healthy?

If there’s one drink that’s universally acknowledged as healthy, it’s water. Water has all the essential nutrients your body needs and aids several critical functions. Among other things, it hydrates you, makes your muscles flexible, flushes toxins out of the body, and keeps your skin supple.

As the saying goes, you can go 3 weeks without food, but you’d die in 3 days without water. That’s quite something, isn’t it?

However, we humans crave variety and occasionally feel the need to drink something other than water. At the same time, we must respect the fact that our body is our temple and avoid pouring in anything that’s not strictly healthy. So, what are our options when it comes to healthy alternatives to water? In fact, what are healthy drinks really made of? Let’s find out!

First and foremost, a healthy drink should hydrate the body because that is its primary function. That’s why we’re cautioned against excessive consumption of soda and alcoholic drinks, as they are diuretic and remove water and minerals from the body, leading to dehydration.

One of the most hydrating drinks you can have is milk. It’s an excellent source of calcium, which helps strengthen bones and teeth. Along with being a good source of proteins, milk can keep you fueled even on the driest of days. However, many people develop lactose intolerance after a certain age, which is not necessarily a bad thing as the human body starts relying on other sources for protein. This happens because we only need mother’s milk in the nascent stages of our lives, and once we start developing teeth, our bodies evolve to use more diverse sources of nutrition rather than just milk.

Another healthy drink is coconut water, and not just because it’s delicious! It’s rich in sodium, potassium, and calcium—some of the essential electrolytes that our bodies need. When mixed with water, these electrolytes conduct the electric energy generated in cells, maintaining a steady flow of charge throughout the body. This helps with muscle movements, sending nerve signals, and balancing the body’s pH. What an electric drink, eh?

Phytochemicals in tea and coffee are great antioxidants that reduce the risk of heart diseases. Polyphenols present in green tea also prevent cell damage and reduce free radicals that cause aging. Additionally, the caffeine found in coffee can boost your metabolism, providing a burst of energy whenever you feel low.

As you can see, a truly healthy drink should contain the nutrients your body needs, including electrolytes, vitamins, antioxidants, and sometimes an instant burst of energy. It may not always taste as good as your sugary sodas and packaged drinks, but these options are far better for your body. And that is the most important criterion, isn’t it?