It goes without saying that water is the best drink for optimal health. The U.S. Institute of Medicine states that an average man should drink around 15 cups or 125 ounces of water while women should consume 11 cups or 91 ounces of water each day. However, this is just an average as a majority of people gets 80 per cent of their daily water needs from beverages and 20 per cent from food. So, it is prudent to select the best drinks for your health.

While some of the best drinks for optimal health are water-based, there are few that are not filled with water, but can benefit your health and wellbeing significantly.

• Lemon Water – If you have been guzzling down calorie-filled sodas, you will find water bland and tasteless. You can add flavor to your drinking water by adding slices of fresh lemon. A study reveals that drinking lemon water can help reduce systolic blood pressure. But, there are more benefits of lemon water. It functions as a digestive aid and helps to detoxify the body by flushing out toxins and waste more efficiently. Lemon is replete with Vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant and an immune booster. The acidity of lemon juice eliminates bad bacteria from the mouth, thereby helping to freshen breath and prevent oral infections.
• Green Tea – Over the years, green tea has become an indispensable beverage in households that value health and well being. Besides relieving indigestion, green tea is also known to prevent complications arising out of osteoporosis. One research found that regular consumption of green tea can positively affect bone mineral density, thereby reducing risk of fractures due to osteoporosis. Green tea is an antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress and stimulates the activity of antioxidant enzymes to ensure bone health.
• Kombucha – This is a fermented tea-like beverage that has high content of probiotics. The healthy bacteria present in this fermented drink minimize bloating, prevent proliferation of candida and yeast and soothe the gut to ensure optimal digestion. It is believed that Kombucha has the ability to boost mental clarity, making a person feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
• Cranberry Juice – A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that drinking cranberry juice can ward off recurring urinary tract infections in women. Cranberry juice contains a component called non-dialysable material that prevents bacteria from adhering to the gums. This, in turn, prevents gum disease. However, bear in mind that cranberry juice has high sugar content and hence, you shouldn’t be looking to consume more than six to eight ounces a day. It is advisable to pick up 100 per cent cranberry juice from health stores.
• Coconut Water – Coconut water is nature’s answer to oral rehydration. It naturally contains phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, calcium and potassium. In addition, water of a tender coconut contains B vitamins, ascorbic acid, zinc, selenium, iodine and sulfur. This is just the drink you need on a hot summer’s day to replenish the lost salts and revitalize your body. If you want to avert diseases and health-related issues, make these five drinks a part of your daily life along with regular exercise. You will love the endless energy and vitality that these beverages can impart.

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