Of course it goes without saying that water is an essential daily drink that we should have in abundance. After all, our bodies are made up of slightly more than two-thirds water. Yet, sometimes plain old water just doesn’t cut it, right?  You want some flavor, some substance, some energy. Instead of turning to one of the numerous “energy” drinks that line the shelves nowadays, here are a few that will serve you much better.

The lion’s share of the world’s population wakes up and desires caffeine in the form of coffee. Yet, for me, and perhaps you as well after reading, it would be much more prudent to drink a glass of warm lemon water. Lemon water does your body good in so many ways. For example, since lemons are high in vitamin C and potassium, they give your immune system a nice boost, enhance iron absorption, and reduce the amount of phlegm the body produces. Lemons also help to cleanse your system as it increases the rate of urination in the body.  Being one of the most alkalizing foods for the body, lemons are excellent for balancing the body’s pH levels and thus reducing inflammation. Lemons aid in digestion by encouraging the liver to produce more bile. Warm lemon water is becoming known as a bowel movement stimulant by organizations like The American Cancer Society.  Also, lemons are high in pectin fiber which helps fight hunger cravings and assist in weight loss.

Have you ever heard of kombucha? Well, kombucha is a fermented beverage made up of black or green tea and sugar. Once it’s fermented, kombucha becomes carbonated and contains acids, b-vitamins, vinegar, enzymes, and four probiotics which are very beneficial to the body. Some of these benefits include aiding in digestion, preventing and healing leaky gut and stomach ulcers, and reducing the amount of  harmful candida yeast in the gut. Kombucha, with its antioxidants and vitamin C, helps to protect and modulate the immune system via preventing cell damage and inflammatory diseases. Because of its ability to counteract liver cell toxicity, kombucha is fantastic in helping the body detoxify and cleanse itself.

Are you into the seemingly hundreds of “sports” drinks out there? While there may be a couple that actually provide the body with decent nutrients, a better alternative does exist – coconut water. If you’d prefer not to deal with the additives and sugar in most of the sports drinks, coconut water is great way to rehydrate with its natural electrolytes. Being naturally low in sugar and cholesterol free with no  artificial additives or sweeteners, coconut water is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium in an absorbable form no sports drink can even come close to. Oh, and coconut water is excellent for your skin, and can assist in weight loss. Can any of those so-called sports drinks verily make such claims?

With so many beverages out on the market, it can be tough to discern which might be better for you in the moment and long-term. Sports drinks, coffee, and the like with all the caffeine, added sugar, etc. wouldn’t seem to be best for you in either case. On the other hand, coconut water, kombucha, and lemon water with all their favorable qualities and no additives certainly would be the smart choices for you and your body now and in the future. Make them staples in your daily consumption of beverages and reap the rewards.

~centerfield6

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