Looking to build a healthy liquid diet? We've got you covered. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best and most nutritious beverages for a healthy diet.
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00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best and most nutritious
00:09 beverages for a healthy diet.
00:15 Number 20.
00:16 Lemonade.
00:17 Rather than saying "lemonade is healthy," it would probably be more accurate to say
00:24 that "some lemonade is healthy."
00:27 Lemons are a nice source of vitamin C and iron and may also aid in the prevention of
00:31 kidney stones.
00:32 But while the lemons in lemonade have some nice health benefits, the added sugar in many
00:36 commercial versions have the opposite effect.
00:39 However, if you make it at home, use real lemons, and skip the sugar, well then you've
00:44 got something worth sipping on.
00:46 But don't sip on it too much.
00:48 As the American Dental Association has pointed out, too much of the stuff can lead to tooth
00:52 decay.
00:56 Number 19.
00:58 Hot Chocolate.
00:59 Wait, before you get too excited and start drinking hot chocolate like it's water, we
01:03 should mention a few important things.
01:06 As with lemonade where the health benefits are in the lemons, the benefits in hot chocolate
01:09 comes from the cocoa.
01:11 This beautiful bean has been shown to reduce your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood
01:16 sugar as well as lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
01:19 However, as with the lemonade, many commercial hot chocolates come with added sugar and are
01:24 overly processed, thus negating many of the cocoa's benefits.
01:28 And again, don't drink a lot of it.
01:31 While studies have indicated advantages of cocoa, the positive results weren't there
01:35 when too much was consumed.
01:40 Number 18.
01:42 Hibiscus Tea.
01:43 The hibiscus can have a positive effect on one's mood and happiness just by looking
01:47 at the beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers.
01:50 But did you know that ingesting them can also have benefits?
01:53 Now don't head out to your garden and start munching on your flowers, but it could be
01:57 a good idea to add hibiscus tea to your routine.
02:00 Filled with antioxidants, hibiscus tea also provides nice amounts of vitamins C and K,
02:06 and the plant's extract has shown positive effects in studies regarding the lowering
02:10 of blood sugar levels.
02:11 It is recommended that you keep your hibiscus tea habits to no more than 2-4 cups a day
02:16 though, as drinking more than that could cause toxicity.
02:20 Number 17.
02:29 Turmeric Tea.
02:30 If you've cooked up any Indian dishes and curries at home, you've probably broken
02:34 out the turmeric on plenty of occasions.
02:36 But in addition to making your dinner tasty, it can also be good for you.
02:40 There is still more research needed, but so far, the science is showing some really great
02:45 benefits from the turmeric and its components like curcumin.
02:48 Arthritis, inflammation, degenerative eye conditions, and kidney health have all seen
02:53 positive effects from turmeric.
02:55 You can buy the tea at the store or grate up some turmeric root yourself and brew up
03:00 a delicious cup.
03:04 Number 16.
03:05 Coffee.
03:06 It's the second most popular beverage on the planet, and yet the pros and cons of coffee
03:12 have been debated for as long as we can remember.
03:15 The good news, at least for all of us obsessed with our morning cup of joe, is that these
03:20 days the pros seem to be winning.
03:22 Some research suggests that 1 or 2 cups of coffee a day could lessen the likelihood of
03:26 heart failure.
03:28 Coffee can also reduce your odds of getting colon cancer and Alzheimer's.
03:32 Dark roast coffee has also been shown to actually strengthen your DNA strands.
03:37 Of course, adding cream and sugar can diminish your coffee's healthy quotient, and so can
03:41 overconsumption.
03:43 So keep your total caffeine intake under 400 mg per day.
03:51 Number 15.
03:52 Dark green vegetable drink.
03:54 Green juice can cost you $10 a bottle, but is it a trend worth really buying into?
03:59 From a young age, we've been told to eat our vegetables, and yet many of us still aren't
04:04 ingesting enough of them.
04:05 Especially when it comes to the dark green variety, of which about 80% of Americans aren't
04:11 eating the recommended daily amount.
04:13 We're talking kale, spinach, bok choy, broccoli, and Swiss chard, just to name a few.
04:18 High in fiber and low in calories, these dark green veggies are rockin' vitamins C, A, and
04:24 K, as well as folate, iron, calcium, and potassium.
04:28 And a great way to get all of that goodness in one shot is in drink form, assuming they
04:33 are all natural and without lots of added sugars and unhealthy extras.
04:38 But if green juice is what it takes to get your veggie fix, then bottoms up.
04:42 Number 14.
04:44 Smoothies.
04:45 Smoothies are completely reliant on what you put in them, meaning they can be as healthy
04:48 or as unhealthy as you make them.
04:50 Throw in dark green veggies, vitamin-rich fruit, some healthy extras like chia seeds
04:55 and turmeric, and you are lookin' good.
04:58 But sweeten it with extra sugar, besides what comes naturally from the fruit, or pour in
05:02 full-fat dairy products, and you're just hurting yourself.
05:06 As long as you keep that in mind, then go ahead and mix and match to your heart's content
05:09 until you find the combos that taste great to you.
05:13 Number 13.
05:15 Pomegranate juice.
05:16 While the Food and Drug Administration took issue with some of the health claims made
05:19 by POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice, it turns out the stuff is actually pretty wonderful.
05:26 The Wonderful company might have exaggerated or insinuated some health benefits that aren't
05:30 completely scientifically accurate, but there are truly some legit health benefits to the
05:35 product.
05:36 Pomegranates are full of a strong antioxidant called polyphenol, and the National Institutes
05:41 of Health mentions pomegranates as a possible natural remedy in the prevention and treatment
05:46 of prostate cancer.
05:48 There is also some evidence that may suggest a link between the consumption of pomegranates
05:52 and lower blood pressure and the fighting of arthritis.
05:56 Because it's a great, easy, and delicious way to fuel your body with antioxidants.
06:00 Number 12.
06:01 Kombucha.
06:02 The fermented black tea drink has been around for thousands of years, but much more recently
06:07 it has become a hip drink among wellness fanatics.
06:10 You probably have at least one person in your life that's obsessed with the stuff and can't
06:14 stop telling you about how good it is for you, and how it can cure everything from baldness
06:19 to cancer.
06:20 But can it really?
06:21 Well, the truth is there actually isn't a ton of scientific evidence to back up many
06:25 of those claims.
06:27 There is evidence to suggest that the drink, due to the fermentation, does have probiotic
06:32 benefits for a person's gut health and microbiome.
06:35 Although the same fermentation process means that it can also be harmful if not prepared
06:41 properly.
06:42 Its live ingredients can continue fermenting if it's not refrigerated properly, and that
06:47 elevates alcohol levels.
06:49 Number 11.
06:50 Flavored Sparkling Water.
06:56 So you're trying to drink more water, but the stuff that comes out of your tap just
07:01 doesn't excite you anymore.
07:03 Just add a little sparkle to it.
07:05 Sparkling water, aka carbonated water, is a great alternative to the plain stuff, and
07:10 is just as hydrating.
07:11 There is also some research to suggest that carbonated water can aid with digestion.
07:16 And while more research is needed, some people have found sparkling water makes them feel
07:20 more full, thus helping them with weight loss goals as well.
07:24 We want all natural flavors and no sugar, so look for zero sugar and zero calories,
07:30 but no artificial sweeteners either, like aspartame.
07:33 No calories, no sweeteners, all smiles.
07:37 Number 10.
07:38 Kefir.
07:39 In some parts of the world, kefir is pretty common and popular.
07:42 However, if you've never heard of it, then we can understand the idea of a fermented
07:46 milk drink might not sound super appealing.
07:49 But just wait until you hear about the health benefits it can provide.
07:53 In just one cup of kefir, you will get 9 grams of protein, as well as about a quarter of
07:57 the daily recommended value of vitamins B12, riboflavin, and calcium, which is good for
08:03 your bones.
08:09 Kefir also has antibacterial properties and is a better probiotic than yogurt.
08:14 These probiotics can help with digestive problems and may be able to help fight cancer, although
08:19 human studies are needed in this area.
08:23 Number 9.
08:24 Lemon water.
08:25 We've already discussed adding some carbonation to your water, and now we're going to extol
08:29 the benefits of adding some lemon to it.
08:32 No, this isn't lemonade, this is lemon water.
08:36 With as little as 2 tablespoons of pure lemon juice added to your glass of water, you're
08:39 giving yourself a nice immune booster and a 14 mg dose of vitamin C.
08:48 Not to mention that it makes for a pleasant change of pace from just plain water, which
08:52 hopefully translates into drinking more water throughout the day.
08:56 Sounds like a win-win to us!
09:02 Number 8.
09:03 Red wine.
09:04 Besides making the people around you seem more interesting and attractive, red wine
09:09 can actually be good for your overall health in the long term.
09:22 But before you uncork a bottle of Pinot Noir or race to pop a spout in that box of Cabernet
09:28 Sauvignon, there are a few things you should know.
09:30 While you might have never heard of resveratrol, it seems like it's key to many of the potential
09:35 benefits of red wine.
09:37 Resveratrol is an antioxidant in the wine, and some studies have found a link between
09:41 it and a lower risk for heart disease.
09:44 Some research has also shown possible benefits of red wine in fighting dementia and insulin
09:49 resistance.
09:50 But in moderation, please!
09:52 We're talking one to two glasses per day.
10:06 That's delightful.
10:07 Number 7.
10:09 Cranberry juice.
10:10 When's the last time you had cranberry juice?
10:12 If you're like us, it was probably the last time you had a urinary tract infection.
10:16 Cranberry juice has become almost synonymous with the treatment of UTIs, but you want to
10:21 know something?
10:22 There isn't actually any proof that the juice can cure them.
10:25 However, there is evidence to show that pure cranberry juice, not cranberry juice cocktail,
10:30 can help prevent UTIs.
10:32 So drinking it more regularly could definitely help on that preventative front.
10:36 But cranberry juice is also good for much more than just that, including your heart
10:40 and digestive health.
10:41 There's also the theory that cranberries can fight some viruses, but more research
10:46 is needed to know for sure.
10:48 Ocean spray can make a juice drink with only one gram of sugar and still keep all of that
10:51 powerful flavor.
10:52 Then I can do anything.
10:54 Number 6.
10:55 Coconut water.
10:56 Not to be confused with coconut milk, coconut water is the clear fluid found inside a coconut.
11:02 And unlike Tom Hanks and Castaway, you don't have to forge tools out of rocks and break
11:07 open a coconut to enjoy the water inside.
11:17 There are plenty of companies bottling and canning the stuff and putting it on store
11:21 shelves.
11:22 Although that means you need to look at the labels, as some brands add sodium or other
11:27 things that you might not want.
11:29 However, good old pure coconut water is as hydrating as plain water and is high in potassium,
11:35 which can aid in lowering one's blood pressure and help prevent kidney stones.
11:40 Number 5.
11:41 Orange juice.
11:42 As the most popular fruit juice in the world, orange juice has been a part of most of our
11:46 lives since we were kids.
11:53 As such, you probably know that it's a very good source of vitamin C. In fact, one cup
11:58 provides two times the recommended daily value.
12:00 This is good for your immune systems and helping to fight off the oh-so-common-yet-frustrating
12:05 cold.
12:07 Take your OJ with pulp, and you can also get about 5% of your daily fiber needs, which
12:11 can help decrease the risks of things like heart disease and diabetes.
12:15 However, along with the vitamin C in the fiber, you're also getting 21 grams of sugar per
12:20 cup, which is quite a bit.
12:22 So, we must encourage moderation.
12:32 Number 4.
12:33 Fat-free milk.
12:34 It's true, like the ads used to say, assuming of course that you aren't lactose intolerant.
12:42 However, if you can tolerate it, then may we recommend the fat-free version.
12:47 Skim milk is just regular milk with the fat removed.
12:50 Yes, our understanding of fats has changed over the years, with science now suggesting
12:54 there are good fats and bad fats.
12:57 The problem is that the fat in milk is the bad kind, which can raise your LDL, your bad
13:02 cholesterol.
13:03 Whereas skim milk has zero fats and half the calories of whole milk with the same amount
13:08 of protein and calcium.
13:14 Number 3.
13:15 Beet juice.
13:16 Looking to train harder and improve your stamina?
13:19 Well, guess what can help with that?
13:21 Yup, beet juice.
13:23 Turns out, beets have these nutrients which can help with improved blood flow and blood
13:27 pressure, upping your stamina game and allowing for longer workouts.
13:32 There was also a study done in 2011 that suggests a diet high in nitrates may have a positive
13:37 effect on slowing dementia in older people.
13:40 Beyond the nitrates, beets are also a nice source of vitamin C, iron, folate, fiber,
13:45 antioxidants, and potassium.
13:47 Oh, and your pee will turn red?
13:50 Don't freak out, it's normal and harmless.
13:53 Enjoying a glass of beetroot juice before our next cycle or workout may just give us
13:57 all the extra boost of power that we need.
13:59 Number 2.
14:00 Green tea.
14:02 When it comes to veggies, green is one of the healthiest colors to look for, and as
14:06 it turns out, the said can be same for teas.
14:09 But while there are many claims about how good green tea is for you, not all of said
14:14 claims are supported by actual scientific research.
14:17 Two studies that do have some weight behind them took place in Japan and followed tens
14:21 of thousands of people over many years.
14:24 What they found was that there does appear to be a connection between green tea consumption
14:28 and lower risk of stroke and death from cardiovascular diseases.
14:33 There are also some studies showing that drinking green tea may be good for both your brain
14:37 and oral health.
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14:58 Number 1.
14:59 Water.
15:00 Forget about all of the other health benefits of all of the other drinks on this list, because
15:05 when it comes to health benefits, there is none bigger or more important than literally
15:10 keeping you alive.
15:15 Water helps regulate your body temperature, oxygenate your cells, flush waste from your
15:19 liver and kidneys, and lubricate your spinal cord, among many other things.
15:24 You might be able to go weeks without food, but humans can literally only survive a few
15:28 days without water.
15:30 In a way, the only reason you're able to watch this video right now is because of water.
15:36 Nuff said.
15:42 Which of these healthy drinks are you going to add to your beverage routine?
15:51 Did you enjoy this video?
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15:58 See you next time!
16:08 (gentle music)