Refreshing Healthy Drink Ideas

Healthy Drinks Stay Hydrated

Healthy drinks are essential for overall well being because they provide hydration, nutrition, and antioxidants the body requires to function optimally boosting physical performance. Hydration is key to maintaining good health as water takes up about 60 percent of a human's body weight.  The brain has higher concentrations of water than the rest of the body consisting of 73 percent, so proper hydration ensures that the brain activity is consistent.  Good hydration is essential for health and wellbeing as  your body relies on water to function properly effecting every cell, organ, tissues that depend on it.  Water helps regulate the body's temperature, aids in digestion and supports circulation, optimizing bodily functions. Proper hydration improves concentration, memory and mood. Drinking water throughout the day is a simple yet powerful way to take care of your body.  Hydration is crucial for boosting physical performance which is vital for endurance and recovery in physical activities. 

Staying hydrated can help prevent health issues like headaches, kidney stones, fatigue, and lethargy, a state of sluggishness, drowsiness, including lack of physical energy.  Adequate water intake helps the kidneys flush out toxins from the body.  Essentially water helps the body's natural detoxification processes ensuring efficient removal of harmful materials through sweat, bowel movements, urine excretion. Drinking enough water elevates energy levels in the body reducing the risk of heart failure, lubricates the joints stimulating the production of synovial fluid, the fluid that cushions and allows smooth movements in the joints.  Adequate hydration ensures the synovial fluid volume and viscosity is maintained reducing pain and friction within the joints.  Drinking enough water elevates energy levels reducing the risk of heart failure impacting everything from digestion, nutrient absorption, skin health, and boosts physical energy.  People often fail to drink enough water throughout the day due to a combination of factors including not feeling thirsty, forgetting to drink enough water and preferring surgery beverages. 

Certain medical conditions, age related conditions and some medications may be contributing factors leading to dehydration due to inadequate fluid intake.  The popular recommendation for healthy adults is to aim for 11.5 cups of water each day equal to 91 ounces for women and 15.5 cups of water for men equal to 125 ounces.  This amount of water is consumed from foods like fresh vegetables, soups, broths, fruits, beverages including water, herbal teas, coffee, healthy smoothies and healthy drink options.  The amount of water one should drink depends on several factors including age, gender, and activity level.  On average a male requires 15 cups or 3-7 liters while a woman needs to consume 11 cups or 2.7 liters per day.  Some 20 percent of this water intake is from foods rather than beverages.  There are plenty of healthy beverage options beyond just water to soothe your thirst for refreshing drinks.  Herbal teas are high in antioxidants and low in caffeine, contribute to hydration and do not have a diuretic effect of caffeinated beverages. 

They also provide a delicious and flavorful way to increase daily fluid intake on ice or steeped for ten minutes to create the perfect cup of tea sweetened with Stevia zero calorie sweetener.  Tea Forte Organic Tea Sampler includes 40 forte teas with a loose leaf tea infuser in a signature box.  This tea variety box was inspired by 5 years of partnership with the New York Botanical Gardens bringing the best of past collections with a selection of commemorative blends inspired by flowers, plants and fruits of the season.  The Jubilee Tea Chest includes a variety of 40 teas and herbal teas gourmet sampler such as oolong tea, white, tea, black tea, for those starting their journey with Forte tea blends. 

Cheers! 

Patricia Lynn 

Images Courtesy of Devian Art photos at AdobeStock