Top 5Antioxidant Rich Drinks
Antioxidant rich drinks are a fantastic way to fill up on these powerful nutrients while also staying hydrated. By drinking antioxidant drinks regularly, you can protect your body’s cells against dangerous free radicals, reduce your risk of contracting chronic diseases and enjoy optimal health.In this article I’ll be taking a look at five of the best fluid sources of antioxidants.
- Black Tea
Black tea is warming, hydrating and can be enjoyed hot or cold. It’s loaded with flavan-3-ols (a group of antioxidants also known as catechins or flavanols that can be found in large quantities in most types of tea). The best part is that black tea contains zero calories, so allows you to fill up on flavan-3-ols without gaining weight.
Being a powerful antioxidant is just one of black tea’s many benefits and it can also boost your health by:
- Enhancing your energy levels
- Improving your concentration
- Improving your oral health
- Relieving stress
- Strengthening your bones and teeth
- Coffee
Coffee is a rich, zero calorie, caffeinated drink that can be taken with or without milk. It’s perfect for giving yourself a lift when your energy levels are flagging and is one of the few food sources of hydroxycinnamic acids (a group of antioxidants that are found in high levels in coffee).
Coffee is much more than just a potent source of antioxidants and by drinking a couple of cups each day, you’ll also experience the benefits below:
- Improved mood
- Increased body fat burning
- Reduced blood levels of LDL cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that clogs your arteries and limits the flow of blood within them)
- Reduced inflammation
- Stronger nervous system
- Green Tea
Green tea has a grassy, slightly bitter taste but is very refreshing. Like black tea, it contains high levels of flavan-3-ols and is completely free of calories. Green tea is available in many different varieties, so even if you’re not a fan of the flavor first time around, you can keep experimenting until you find a blend that satisfies your taste buds.
In addition to fighting free radicals, green tea also has the following health benefits:
- Boosting your brain function
- Increasing your metabolism
- Improving your physical performance during exercise
- Strengthening your heart
- Strengthening your immune system
- White Tea
White tea is packed full of flavan-3ols and like the other healthy hot drinks listed above, it contains zero calories. White tea generally tastes similar to green tea but has a fruitier, more floral flavor. However, there are lots of different types available and each variety has its own distinct twist.
White tea has numerous health benefits and preventing oxidative damage within your body is just one of these. The other positive effects of white tea include:
- Enhancing your energy levels
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Strengthening your bones and teeth
- Regulating your blood glucose levels
- Relieving stress
- Mixed Berry Smoothie
Smoothies are a brilliant way to fill up on antioxidant rich foods in liquid form and berries are one of the best smoothie ingredients out there. All types of berries contain large amounts of the antioxidants anthocyanins, manganese and vitamin C along with a range of other health boosting nutrients. In addition to this, they’re sweet and juicy and add plenty of flavor to your smoothies. Berries are also very light and contain fewer than 100 calories per cup. Finally, these delicious fruits are much more than just a potent source of antioxidants and can boost your body in numerous other ways which include:
- Improving digestion
- Improving fertility
- Promoting good bladder health
- Protecting against depression
- Supporting your kidneys
To make a mixed berry smoothie, combine a cup of your favorite berries with a cup of fruit juice, Greek yogurt, ice or another water based ingredient, blend until frothy and enjoy.
Summary
Not only are these five drinks highly refreshing but they’re also loaded with antioxidants along with lots of other health boosting vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Simply drink one or more of them each day to enjoy all the health benefits antioxidants provide.
