A healthy diet isn’t just about what you eat—it’s also about what you drink. Water is the most important beverage for your health, as it’s essential to just keep your body functioning. But incorporating other healthy drinks, like green tea and tomato juice, can provide additional benefits, while still keeping you hydrated. This week, try sipping on these nourishing refreshments.
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient for your health, helping to maintain your nervous system, form red blood cells, and convert food into energy.
Not only does milk naturally contain vitamin B12, but it has one of the easiest forms for your body to absorb. Plus, it has a pretty big amount—one cup contains over half the daily recommended value. Drink a glass of milk with breakfast, or try adding it to coffee, smoothies, and soups.
If you’re looking for an energy boost without the jitters, green tea might just work for you. It’s lower in caffeine than coffee (about 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) per cup, versus 80 to 100 mg), and it contains L-theanine, an amino acid that can promote calm alertness and reduce restlessness.
Green tea also offers other possible benefits, like supporting heart health, protecting brain health, and potentially even lowering the risk of certain cancers.
Many people drink lemon water first thing in the morning, but it may actually be more beneficial to sip it during meals. One study has found that lemon juice can speed up gastric emptying, or how quickly food moves through the stomach. If so, lemon water may help you digest your meal and feel less bloated. This effect can also help keep blood sugar steady after eating.
Just be careful if you’re prone to acid reflux; the acidity of lemons can trigger symptoms.
Tomatoes are a surprisingly rich source of vitamin C. A 6-ounce glass of tomato juice has 128 mg of the nutrient—35 mg more than the same-sized glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.
But if you’re not excited about drinking a tall glass of tomato juice, try incorporating it into more of your recipes. You can blend it into smoothies, mix it with other juices, or use it as a base in soups and sauces.
Soymilk is also rich in an unexpected nutrient: magnesium. One cup contains about 61 mg, or around 15% of the daily recommendation. Magnesium has gotten a lot of buzz lately—especially for improving mood, sleep, and blood sugar—and drinking soymilk can help you reach your magnesium goals without a supplement.
Try opting for soymilk over other plant-based alternatives, like oat or almond milk—especially if your body doesn’t digest dairy well. Add it to coffee or use it in your morning cereal or oatmeal.
