We spoke to Deanna Michalopolous, Editor of Women's Health Magazine about great drinks for summer. These are her suggestions:
HEALTHY-DRINK TIP #1: REACH FOR CRANBERRY-GRAPE JUICE
Whether you buy it pre-mixed in a jar or mix it yourself...
...a blend of cranberry and grape bursts with healthy benefits.
Like what?
· New research shows that antioxidants in GRAPE juice lower the risk of heart disease by slowing the oxidation of LDL (or bad) cholesterol...
...this is important because oxidation is a process that leads to blockage in artery walls.
· And the CRANBERRY juice?
· It protects against URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
· It protects against E. COLI BACTERIA
· It protects against TOOTH DECAY
· And it also boosts HDL (good) cholesterol.
Worried about the calories in this cranberry-grape mix?
Then choose "no sugar added" versions like Apple & Eve Cranberry Grape 100% Juice...
...you can find it at amazon.com for $5.20 for 64 oz
HEALTHY-DRINK TIP #2: REACH FOR ICED GREEN-TEA
You already know that green tea revs your metabolism...
...and therefore can help you lose weight,
But did you know that green tea may also help you live longer?
That’s re news from a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)...
...which reports that women who sip just over 3 ounces of green tea daily had a 31% lower risk of death from heart disease than those who drank less.
Why?
Researchers say it’s because of an antioxidant called EGCG in the green tea....
...which can slow your body from creating plaque that can clog your arteries.
And here’s how we take OUR iced green-tea:
· We either steep four green tea bags per cup of boiling water, then chill...
· ...or when we’re feeling lazy or not at home, we grab a Crystal Light Green Tea on the Go packet in raspberry or honey lemon flavor ($3.30 for 10 packets, in stores)
HEALTHY-DRINK TIP #3: REACH FOR FRUIT-SPIKED H2O
Of course water is GOOD for you...
...but do you REALLY know just how good?
For instance...
...did you know that drinking water can help curb cancer?
In fact, in one study women who drank six-plus glasses each day...
...had a 45% lower risk of colon cancer than those who drank fewer than two glasses of water every day.
And then there's water’s “beauty” factor...
...since water hydrates skin, and keeps your complexion looking smooth and glowing.
But here’s the problem with water:
Gulping the recommended eight daily glasses can feel like a chore...
...especially when what you REALLY want is something sweet.
So to get your daily quota of water and to get a sweet fix at the same time...
...try drinking water that’s all jazzed up with calorie-free flavors, like Dasani Raspberry sweetened with Splenda. ($4 for six 16.9-oz bottles, dasani.com).
HEALTHY-DRINK TIP #4: LIGHT SOY MILK
Like skim cow's milk...
...light soy milk is rich in protein and vitamin D and has no saturated fat.
And when it comes to calories...
...it only has 70 per cup (versus 80 to 90 calories in fat-free milk.
But wait, there’s more!
Soy also delivers half the recommended daily value of energizing B vitamins...
...and it may also keep you out of the hospital.
Why?
Because soy contains phytoestrogens like isoflavones; and it’s believed that these phytoestrogens can help prevent disease and illness.
In fact, and one study of 65,000 women found that 16 grams of soy protein daily (about 2 cups of soy milk)...
...reduced risk of heart disease by 75% and reduced risk of heart attack by 86%.
Here at WOMEN'S HEALTH, when it comes to drinking light soy milk...
...we prefer the plain light kind has a delicate, nutty flavor.
You can also try the rich Silk Light vanilla or chocolate varieties ($2 for 32 oz, silksoymilk.com).
