Healthy Drinks

Flat-Belly Smoothie

Serves: 1

Ingredients:
3 ounces vanilla Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon almond butter
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
1 cup kale
3/4 cup water

Directions:
Place all the ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Enjoy immediately.

Simple Slimming Smoothies –

Whip up one of these diet-friendly blends when you’re in need of a post-workout snack, belly-flattening breakfast, or grab-and-go lunch

Clean green: After a weekend (or a couple of weeks) of indulging, break out the blender to clean up your cravings and reboot your digestive system with this delicious kale smoothie. Watch out, because this baby gets you moving—fast.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 frozen banana
2 cups kale
1 tablespoon spirulina
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cup ice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 177 calories, 7g fat (0g saturated), 26g carbs, 8g protein, 7g fiber, 327mg calcium, 205mg sodium

Chocolate Avacado Goddess: Avocado and chocolate make an incredibly indulgent combo. Here, their flavors blend with banana and other natural ingredients to create a uniquely delicious, creamy treat.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 avocado, peeled and pitted
2 tablespoons dark unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1 frozen banana
1 cup ice
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 306 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated), 42g carbs, 4g protein, 11g fiber, 124mg calcium, 101mg sodium

Green banana: You’ll go bananas for this creamy, delicious green drink. Sip it for an on-the-go breakfast, to refuel after a workout, or for a mid-afternoon energizer.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
2 cups spinach
2 frozen bananas
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon whey protein powder

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 161 calories, 3g fat (0g saturated), 30g carbs, 7g protein, 4g fiber, 205mg calcium, 170mg sodium

Berry Almond Bliss: Berries boast high levels of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals that cause skin damage. Blend up this bright smoothie to fight wrinkles, smooth your skin, and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 frozen banana
1 cup of frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 tablespoon flaxseed
2 cups unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 272 calories, 14g fat (1g saturated), 35g carbs, 7g protein, 9g fiber, 289mg calcium, 219mg sodium

Lean pumpkin Shake: Savor all the best tastes of fall with this filling, flavorful blend.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
3/4 cup organic pumpkin puree
1 frozen banana
1/2 Bartlett pear
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice
1 scoop (2 tablespoons) pea protein
1/2 cup ice

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 177 calories, 3g fat (0g saturated), 29g carbs, 9g protein, 7g fiber, 180mg calcium, 141mg sodium

Lemon Blueberry Bliss: Combine antioxidant-packed spinach and blueberries, fiber-filled pear, and alkalinizing lemon juice for one powerhouse smoothie.

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 cup of coconut water
1 Bartlett pear halved and cored
1 cup organic baby spinach
2 cups frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Nutrition score per serving: 156 calories, 1g fat (0g saturated), 6g carbs, 2g protein, 8g fiber, 20mg calcium, 15mg sodium

Strawberry and toasted coconut immunity booster: Feeling under the weather? Whip up this drink to sip on, stat. Bee pollen may help treat allergy symptoms and improve the body’s immune system, while coconut offers powerful antiviral and antioxidant properties that may help your body ward off illness.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
2 cups unsweetened coconut milk (from a carton, not a can)
2 cups of organic frozen strawberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon spirulina
1 teaspoon bee pollen
2 tablespoons toasted coconut shavings (divided)

Directions: Combine the first five ingredients and 1 tablespoon coconut in a blender and blend until smooth. Toast remaining coconut in a 350-degree oven for about 3 minutes until golden brown. (Watch closely because coconut can burn easily.) Top smoothie with toasted coconut.

Nutrition score per serving: 81 calories, 4g fat (4g saturated), 10g carbs, 2g protein, 2.5g fiber, 63mg calcium, 29mg sodium

Trade-in your regular bottle for healthy fruit- and herb-flavored water combinations that will give your drink a big boost of nutrition.

Drink more water… without even realizing: Everyone knows they need to drink more water, but glass after glass of plain old’ H₂O can get boring. Flavored water alternatives, though, may not be worth it: There’s little or no benefit from nutrient additions to vitamin waters, energy drinks, and juices, according to a new study in Canada. And since almost all of these boosted beverages have added sugar, you could actually be harming your health. (They’re also mentioned in The Worst Drinks for Your Body.)

If you get bored of water, there’s a better way to quench your thirst: Infused waters can upgrade the flavor without any nutritional drawbacks. You just let fruit and herbs sit in water for a few hours and voilà! A delicious, healthy alternative to water. To prove it, we’ve got eight delicious fruit and herb combinations.

Berry, Peach, and Coconut :

Ingredients

• 1 cup organic blueberries
• 1 cup organic blackberries
• 2 doughnut peaches, pitted and cut into half-inch wedges
• 6 cups spring or filtered water
• 2 cups unsweetened organic coconut water
• 1-gallon clean glass jar with lid

Directions
1. Place blueberries and blackberries into the bottom of your jar, then the peach slices on top.
2. Pour the spring water and coconut water into the jar. Stir the water, cover with a lid, and put water into the refrigerator for at least one hour or overnight for the best flavor. Drink within two days.

Kiwi Cocktail :

Ingredients

• 3-4 ripe kiwis, peeled and thinly sliced (or crushed for more flavor)
• 2 quarts filtered or spring water

Directions
1. Add the sliced kiwis to a 64-ounce mason jar or pitcher.
2. Add the filtered water.
3. Refrigerate until cold and enjoy.

Strawberry, Basil, and Cucumber :

Ingredients

• 3 basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 strawberry, sliced
• 3-5 slices of cucumber
• Ice
• Water

Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a large glass, and let sit for at least 5 minutes before enjoying.

Raspberry lemon :

Ingredients

• 2 cups organic raspberries
• 8 cups spring or filtered water
• 1 large organic lemon, cut into half-inch slices
• 2 dried Medjool dates
• 1-gallon clean glass jar with lid

Directions
1. Place raspberries into the bottom of your jar. Add the dates, then layer the lemon slices on top. Pour water into jar and place lid on top.
2. Place water into the refrigerator and let infuse for 1 hour.

Mixed Melon Melody :

Ingredients

• 1 cup cantaloupe pieces
• 1 cup watermelon pieces
• 1 cup honeydew pieces
• 2 quarts filtered or spring water

Directions
1. Add your melons to a 64-ounce mason jar or pitcher.
2. Pour the water over top and chill. Serve over ice.

Orange, Strawberry, and Mint :

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup fresh mint
• 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 orange, sliced
• 16 ounces of filtered water

Directions
1. Place all fruits and herbs into the mason jar.
2. Fill to top with water.
3. Seal mason jar tightly and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.

Pineapple, Ginger Delight :

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh pineapple pieces (crushed for a sweeter taste)
• 1-inch piece ginger, thinly sliced
• 2 quarts filtered or spring water

Directions
1. Add the pineapple and ginger to a 64-ounce mason jar or pitcher.
2. Pour the water over top and refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice.

Cucumber Lavender Mixture :

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender or 2 fresh lavender sprigs
• 2 quarts filtered or spring water

Directions
1. Add the cucumbers and lavender to a 64-ounce mason jar or pitcher.
2. Add the filtered water. If using dried lavender, strain before serving.
3. Refrigerate until cold and enjoy.

Give boring tap water a flavor boost to ensure you get your recommended ounces per day. Drink up!

a. Give a squeeze:  Add a squeeze of lemon or lime (or both).

b. Infuse with fruit: Fill a large jug with water, sliced fruit (try citrus, berries or melon) and ice; refrigerate overnight.

c. Soak it in Flavor: Let pineapple chunks soaked in water for at least two hours.

d. Make a Mash: Mashup blueberries or raspberries in the bottom of your glass, then add sparkling or still water.

e. Make a Splash: Pour in a splash of unsweetened cranberry juice.

f. Cube Juice: Make ice cubes out of no-sugar-added juice and add to sparkling or still water and cranberry juice water.

g. Mint It: Tear up some fresh mint leaves and leave to steep in water before drinking.

h. Cube It: Add sliced cucumber for a refreshing zing.

i. Go Citrus: Freeze clementine slices and use as ice cubes.

j. Mix it Up: Flavor with Crystal Light (or another sugar-free mix such as Lipton’s Green Tea).

k. Make a Sparkle: Make half the glass sparkling water, half the glass still water; it’s not as gassy as sparkling alone.

l. Spice it Up: Crush some basil leaves, add to water and leave overnight.

m. Veg Out: After boiling vegetables, such as carrots, reserve the water and chill overnight for a vitamin-packed blast of flavor.

n. Sweeten it: Add some artificial sweetener, like Splenda or Stevia, to give your drink pep without the calories.

o. Breathe Deep: Add a few drops of rose water.

p. Take Tea: Brew green or white tea, then chill.

q. Pick a Herb: Add an herbal tea bag like passion fruit; heat with lemon.

r. Grab a Soda: Add a splash of your favorite diet soda to plain seltzer water.

s. Branch Out: Try no-cal Metromint water (in flavors like Peppermint, Spearmint, Cherry Mint, and Chocolate Mint.

t. Take it to the Tropics: Add a dash of Acai juice blend, like Sambazon.

When you think of good-for-you beverages, water immediately comes to mind, but there are others worth adding to your diet. “Some drinks have tremendous health benefits, from relieving minor ailments like indigestion to protecting against serious ones like osteoporosis. Here, eight healthy drinks that are packed with disease-fighting nutrients. Now that’s easy to swallow.

Green Tea :

The Benefit: Helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, and cavities. Green tea contains a rich concentration of flavonoids and polyphenols, natural antioxidants that may protect cells from carcinogens (cancer-causing substances), and inhibit tumor growth by helping to neutralize free radicals in the body. The tea’s antioxidants may also guard against heart disease by relaxing blood vessels, inhibiting the formation of blood clots that trigger heart attacks and strokes. Green tea also contains fluoride, which strengthens teeth; the flavonoids may build up bones as well, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and tooth decay.

Mint Tea :

The Benefit Eases cramps and helps ward off indigestion. Mint is an antispasmodic, so it can relax muscles, which combats stiffness and aches.  It also aids in digestion by promoting the movement of food through the digestive tract.

Calories – 0

One Percent Reduced-Fat Milk :

The Benefit: Curbs cravings and helps protect against osteoporosis. Because it has the components of a healthy meal — carbohydrates, protein, and a little fat — you absorb it slowly and stay full longer. It also stabilizes blood sugar, so you’re less susceptible to cravings. Milk is the ideal source of calcium because it contains vitamin D, which is needed for maximum calcium absorption. It may also help your body stop storing fat. In a recent study, women who consumed three to four servings of low-fat dairy foods (milk being one) lost nearly twice as much weight as those who took in lower amounts. The calcium causes your body’s cells to burn the fat instead of holding on to it. This makes it easier to reach and maintain your goal weight.

Calories: 120 for 227 Grams ( 8 ounces )

Soy Milk :

The Benefit: Lowers risk of heart disease. Soy milk contains soluble fiber and soy protein, which lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and triglycerides, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. If you’re drinking it instead of cow’s milk, buy soy milk fortified with calcium and vitamins A and D. One caveat: Soy contains phytoestrogens, which may be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Talk to your doctor about drinking soy milk if you have a family history of the disease or have had it yourself.

Calories: 81 for 227 Grams ( 8 ounces )

Hot Chocolate :

The Benefit Improves mood and may help protect against heart disease. Chocolate increases the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood. (Low levels of serotonin have been associated with depression.) Cocoa is also rich in polyphenols, plant-derived antioxidants that may protect cells against oxidative damage that can lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels, possibly putting you at higher risk for a heart attack.

Calories: 195 for 227 Grams (8 ounces) homemade cocoa; 115 for a powdered mix

Low-Sodium Tomato juice :

The Benefit: May protect against numerous cancers. Processed tomato products are the richest source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been associated with a reduced risk of lung and stomach cancer, as well as pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, oral, breast, and cervical cancers. Lycopene also appears to protect the lungs and heart against oxidative damage, helping to ward off cardiovascular disease.

Calories: 31 for 170 Grams ( 6 ounces )

Cranberry Juice :

The Benefit: Helps prevent gum disease. Research suggests that the same antibacterial properties present in cranberry juice that fight off urinary tract infections may also protect against periodontal disease. Experts theorize that a component of the juice called nondialyzable material (NDM) inhibits bacteria from sticking to the gums. Many nutritionists are wary of fruit juices because of their sugar content, so limit your intake to no more than one glass (6 to 8 ounces) daily. Make sure the label says 100 percent juice, not ‘juice drink’ or ‘cocktail. You can find this type of juice in health-food stores and some supermarkets.

Calories: 140 for 227 Grams ( 8 ounces )

Orange juice :

The Benefit: May ward off cataracts, cancers, and birth defects and boost immunity. An excellent source of vitamin C, orange juice is also a potent antioxidant that may protect against a variety of diseases including cataracts (a clouding of the eye’s lens that can lead to blindness) and lung cancer. Vitamin C may prevent oxidative damage that can cause cells to become cancerous, and it improves immune-cell functioning, enabling your body to fight off infections more efficiently. And it’s a good source of folate, which protects against neural-tube defects in fetuses. To get the extra benefit of bone protection, try some calcium-fortified orange juice.

Calories: 115 for 227 Grams (8 ounces )

Chocolate lovers Rejoice -: Sweet news: “The flavonoids in chocolate, most abundant in cacao beans that have been minimally processed, may cut your risk for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and issues associated with type 2 diabetes,” says Erin Thole, R.D., spokesperson for the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. And smoothie recipes are the perfect way to get your fix. “For the most health benefits, reach for natural cacao powder followed by unsweetened baking chocolate, dark chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate,” says Thole. These 10 chocolate smoothie recipe options are the perfect excuse to enjoy the sweet stuff at breakfast, lunch, or snack time.

Chocolate Chia Smoothie -: Chia seeds are one of the most potent sources of fiber and add a thick, rich texture to smoothies. They totally disguise the spinach in this Chocolate Chia Smoothie.

Chocolate peanut butter breakfast Shake: Frozen bananas make this Thick and Creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Breakfast Shake as rich as ice cream. Fans of the classic peanut butter, honey and banana sandwich will have no problem getting out of bed early for this one. (Psst…Eat Chocolate at Every Meal with 6 Healthy Recipes)

Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie -: Brilliant breakfast hack: Place all of the ingredients for this maple syrup-sweetened Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie into your blender to allow the oats to soften up, then refrigerate overnight.

Superfood Chocolate smoothie Bowl -: If you prefer to spoon rather than slurp up your breakfast, this Superfood Chocolate Smoothie Bowl is for you. Since the cocoa powder is so sweet and flavorful, picky eaters won’t even notice that this recipe includes heart-healthy avocado and vitamin-rich fruit and veggie powder. (Have you tried these 8 New Ways to Eat Avocado?)

Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie -: Just when you think a drink can’t possibly keep you full until lunch, this supersized Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie comes along. Each 32-ounce serving contains a whopping 36 grams of protein, thanks to cottage cheese and a scoop of chocolate protein powder. (Unsure of which muscle-booster to buy? We have The Scoop on Protein Powders.)

Super Energizing Chocolate Smoothie -: Healthy fats from avocado, sweetness from strawberries and dates, plus a dessert-like mouthfeel courtesy of a frozen banana makes this meal-in-a-glass ideal for a light meal or heavy snack.

Healthy ‘Chocolate Fix’ Smoothie -: Pro tip: Store banana pieces in your freezer, so you’re always ready to blend up this Healthy “Chocolate Fix” Smoothie. Coupled with a tablespoon of gelatin, this drink is thicker than chocolate milk, even without ice.

Paleo Chocolate Coconut Smoothie -: Coconut milk (in place of cow’s milk) and raw cacao powder (similar to chocolate in taste, but less processed and with even more antioxidants, iron, and fiber) make this Paleo Chocolate Coconut Smoothie suitable for those following a caveman diet plan.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie -: Anything that “tastes more like dessert than a healthy snack,” (according to Chef Savvy creator Kelley) all while offering 25 grams of protein, get a seal of approval from us. Think of this Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie as an equation and feel free to get creative by trading in different nut butter, milk, seed, and even protein powder flavor. Although, who wouldn’t want more chocolate?

Chocolate Milkshake Protein Smoothie -: If you’re more of a smoothie-as-a-snack girl, or prefer to pair your drink with a bit of food like a hard-boiled egg or piece of peanut butter toast, opt for this 138-calorie Chocolate Milkshake Protein Smoothie. It’s light enough for calorie counters, but with 19 grams of (all-natural) protein, it’s still plenty filling. We know what we’re making for our next post-weight room recovery drink.

You probably know about the health benefits of tea (hello, antioxidants!), but are the health claims around detox teas legit?

We’re weary of any trend that involves detoxing with just a drink. By now, we’re all pretty aware that liquid diets can’t sustain our active bodies for very long, and most of the drinks celebrities swear by have little actual detoxifying effects. But a teatox, or tea detox or tea cleanse, is a gentler approach to the whole idea, namely because it involves adding a few herbal cups to your existing, healthy diet—instead of replacing meals entirely.

The Health Benefits of Tea

Tea’s health benefits cover almost every territory: A 2013 study analysis from Italian, Dutch, and American researchers found that tea may help lower your risk of stroke and heart disease, lower your blood pressure, increase mood and mental performance, and even keep your energy up and weight down.

But when it comes to detoxification, tea alone isn’t enough for the job. No one food, herb, or remedy has the ability to cure ailments or disease, nor does it have the ability to ‘detox’ the body.

In fact, there is no hard evidence backing the claims made by tea companies that their detox teas actually purify human cells. However, high-quality teas can help support the body’s natural daily process of detoxification—just as much as other foods and drinks can hurt this system.

Basic green and black teas are rich in antioxidants (and matcha green tea is more than 100 times higher in one powerful antioxidant)—the secret behind boosting your natural cleansing process. Antioxidants work to reduce the oxidative stress and free radicals in our body, too much of which can cause chronic inflammation and even mutate our DNA strains, leading to cancer and other chronic diseases, according to researchers.

Detox Teas

If green and black tea are helpful in their own, pure form, is there an upside to those bags branded explicitly for detoxing?

Specific detox teas offer added benefits in the additional ingredients. Herbs like lemongrass, ginger, dandelion, and milk thistle all contain properties said to support a healthy liver, one of those organs in charge of your natural detoxifying process. Ginger has also been proven to alleviate oxidative stress within the liver, which indirectly helps the organ perform its cleaning task more efficiently.

One thing to watch out for in detox teas, though, is a common ingredient—and herbal laxative—senna. One part of detoxing is the cleansing of the intestines, and senna aids this process. While it can be helpful as a night-time drink short-term, taking senna for too long can cause vomiting, diarrhea, electrolyte imbalance, and dehydration. If you feel stopped up, incorporate a senna tea for a few nights. But stick to senna-free varieties for your habitual cup.

How to Get the Most Health Benefits from Tea

Nutritionists agree that drinking tea when you wake up and before bed can help your system rev up and calm down, depending on which variety you choose. If you’re a tea fanatic, work in a few cups throughout the day: Unless you’re sensitive to caffeine, you can probably handle five to seven cups a day without any negative side effects.

If you do choose to try a tea detox, the most important aspect isn’t the kind of healthy tea you choose—it’s what else you eat: Tea can only be medicinal and detoxifying if your diet isn’t taxing your system, which most American meals are guilty of. In order to truly detoxify your body, cut processed and fried foods, and up your intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and anti-inflammatory fats like avocados and almonds. Once your diet is clean and gentle on your body, detoxifying teas can begin to enhance your natural organ function.

1. Dandelion tea: Dandelion aids liver function by helping to remove toxins and reestablish hydration and electrolyte balance.
2. Lemon or ginger tea: This revitalizing tea is great for the morning because the light amount of caffeine will wake you up without wreaking havoc on your stomach. Plus, the health benefits of ginger include reducing inflammation and controlling blood sugar, so you can feel good drinking this soothing tea.
3. Motivational tea: In addition to the inspirational messages on every tea bag, this particular Yogi tea variety includes burdock and dandelion to help your liver, and juniper berry to enhance your kidney function.
4. Lemon Jasmine Green Tea: With chamomile and mint to calm the system, usually a cup before bed is recommended. Plus, it’s high vitamin C content means it’s chock full of antioxidants.

• Aid digestion
• Replenish vitamins and minerals
• Skincare
• Protect teeth and gums
• Detoxification

1. Digestive Aid

When you drink healthy beverages, you get more of the nutritional value because they are in their liquid form, making it easier for you to digest and absorb nutrients. Your stomach won’t have to work as hard to break the food down and pull out the nutrients you need. Liquids skip the chewing process, and the beverage reaches your digestive system at a faster rate.

Probiotic drinks are beverages that have been through the fermentation process. Healthy bacteria found in your gut feed on the starch and sugar in the drink, making lactic acid. Fermentation has been shown to preserve nutrients, including B vitamins, beneficial enzymes, and many strains of bacteria while breaking the beverage down into an easily digestible form.

2. Replenish Vitamins and Minerals

Although drinking clean pure water alone is great in most cases, it doesn’t contain high levels of electrolytes and minerals to replenish what was lost during times of illness and strenuous exercise. Since the healthy drinks are at a liquid state, they can be easily digested, making the electrolytes and vitamins easily accessible to help avoid electrolyte imbalance.

Healthy drinks like coconut water may be useful as an oral rehydration therapy, replacing fluid loss in patients who suffer from severe dehydration. With high antioxidant properties, coconut water can help neutralize free radicals resulting from long hours of exercising.

3. Skin Care

Healthy drinks with a large amount of vitamin C, such as lemon water, have heaping amounts of antioxidants. In recent studies, vitamin C was found to be the most plentiful antioxidant in human skin, protecting the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, serving as a co-factor for enzymes responsible for cross-linking and stabilizing collagen molecules. The anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin C in healthy drinks may help with conditions like acne and rosacea. It can promote wound healing and prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as well.

4. Healthy Teeth and Gums

People lack the enzyme L-glucose-gamma lactone oxidase required for the proper synthesis of vitamin C; hence, they must acquire it from natural sources, such as healthy drinks that contain citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, papaya, and broccoli. Traditionally, vitamin C foods and drinks were carried by sailors on long journeys to avoid scurvy, a disease of bleeding gums.

Regular consumption of green tea may help your goal to have healthy teeth and gums. Research shows green tea may promote periodontal health by preventing bone loss, limiting the growth of bacteria associated with periodontal disease, and reducing inflammation. The periodontal prevention effects of green tea have been credited by an antioxidant called catechin. Catechin may also help inhibit the acid-producing bacteria from causing dental caries.

5. Detoxification

Healthy drinks are a great way to feel and look healthier as they cleanse your body from harmful toxins. Healthy drinks are filled with powerful liver-cleansing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant ingredients known to energize and rejuvenate.

Herbs, such as dandelion, lemon, and stinging nettle leaf, have high volatile bitter components, isolating toxins in the body and flushing them out. Bitters also help stimulate gastric juices to promote better digestion, absorption, and transportation of toxins.

Alcohol doesn’t encourage the best decisions, so be health-conscious when ordering. Learn how many calories are in your beer, wine, or cocktail of choice.

When you’re toasting your best friend’s promotion with a glass of wine or celebrating the end of the week with margaritas, the calories in your favorite drink are probably the last thing on your mind—and you’re not alone. Eighty percent of adults have no clue about the nutritional information in alcoholic beverages, says a new study. Considering that 10 percent of drinkers’ daily calories come from alcohol, this can be a huge diet buster (especially when you consider the high sugar and salt levels of most adult beverages). Yet chances are, even if you went looking for this information, you wouldn’t find it since booze doesn’t requite nutrition labels the way edibles and even non-alcoholic drinks do. This is why many experts are calling for mandatory nutrition labels on all drinks containing more than 1.5 percent alcohol. Until then, we’ve got the nutrition facts for some of the most popular drinks. Check out how sinister your favorite swigs are.

White wine -: One of the most diet-friendly ways to imbibe, white wine has 120 calories, 0 grams carbs, 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat.

Red Wine -: In one serving of red wine (roughly five ounces), there are 102 calories, 5 grams of carbs, 0 grams fat, and 0 grams protein. (Is This the Healthiest Wine in the World?)

Moscato -: One glass of Moscato contains 160 calories, 20 grams carbs (17 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat.

Light Beer -: One Coors Lite contains 102 calories, 5 grams carbs, 0 fat, 0 protein (which is why it’s one of our 20 Bikini-Friendly Beers!).

India Plae Ale Beer -: One 12 oz bottle of Sierra Nevada IPA beer contains 175 calories, 14.1 grams carbs, 1.6 grams protein, and 0 grams fat.

Lager -: A bottle of Yuengling lager contains 128 calories, 10 grams carbs, and 1.4 grams protein.

Wheat Beer -: A bottle of Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat beer contains 165 calories, 16 grams carbs, and 2 grams protein.

Stout Beer -: A pint of Guinness beer contains 170 calories, 6 grams carbs, 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat.

Hard Cider -: One bottle of Angry Orchard hard cider contains 210 calories, 30 grams carbs (24 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat. That sugar count is pretty high, but it’s all thanks to the natural sugars in apples. Be sure to look for a brand that doesn’t add any artificial sweeteners.

Cosmopolitan -: One martini-glass-sized Cosmo (about a 1/2 cup) contains 100 calories, 23.9 grams carbs (with 22 g sugar!), 0.5 grams protein, and 0 grams fat. Triple sec—a syrup made from pure sugar—and the cranberry juice are responsible both for that delicious flavor as well as the high sugar count. (Real Women Share Their Daily Sugar Intake and Healthy Eating Habits.)

Mojito -: One serving of a classic mojito contains 242 calories, 40 grams carbs (37 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat. Trade out the unhealthy, simple syrup base and try our English Mojito Cocktail.

Martini -: One martini contains 70 calories, 17 grams carbs (17 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, 0 grams fat. This one tops the low-cal list thanks to being just vermouth and gin with no extra mixes, flavorings, or extras. (Although you can double that if you eat the olive garnish!)

Margarita -: A 12 oz regular margarita, made with a mixer, on the rocks contains 174 calories, 19 grams carbs (17 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, 0 grams fat.

Long Island Iced tea -: One 15-ounce serving contains a whopping 454 calories, 62 grams carbs (61 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat. If those calories surprise you based on how healthy you know tea to be, consider this: All the vodka, gin, rum, and tequila add up empty calories, but the triple sec and cola drown this drink in a sugary syrup. And there’s not even any real tea! Instead, try our Tokyo Tea recipe in Best Low-Calorie Cocktails for Summer.

Pina Colada -: One eight-ounce pina colada contains 300 calories, 50 grams carbs (43 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat. The pineapple-coconut mixer that gives it that characteristic beach flavor is also what racks up the calorie count. By making your own with light pineapple juice and real coconut cream, you can cut this number in half (and it tastes better!). (Try the Skinny Colada in our 8 Skinny Summer Cocktails Under 200 Calories.)

Moscow Mule -: A six-ounce Moscow Mule contains 120 calories, 15 grams carbs (13 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat.

Vodka Cranberry -: One 1.5-ounce vodka cranberry contains just 95 calories, 2 grams carbs (0 from sugar), and 0 grams protein.

Gin and Tonic -: One six-ounce gin and tonic contains 143 calories, 14 grams carbs (13 grams sugar), 0 grams protein, and 0 grams fat. Want to slash that sugar count? Opt for a gin and soda water—tonic has as much sugar as a soda!