Beverages Which are Healthy and Heart-Healthy
One of the difficulties seniors have deals with drinking enough fluids. When this isn’t done, it can easily lead to dehydration, especially in the summer months, as well as other medical issues. Also, heart health is important when people age, and some beverages are beneficial to heart health. Others help with keeping bones and other organs healthy. Below are some suggestions for healthy drinks:
- Drinking green tea: A person might look at tea as something to drink after a long day or as something that warms you up in the morning. But green tea is a little more than that. Heart disease, cancer, the risk of osteoporosis and even getting cavities can all be reduced by drinking green tea. So, the antioxidants in green tea guard against heart disease by inhibiting the formation of blood clots and relaxing blood vessels. Both can trigger a stroke or heart attack.
Cavities are reduced because green tea contains fluoride which helps to strengthen teeth. - Reduced-fat Milk, 1%: When people drink 1% reduced-fat milk, they feel full longer which means that they won’t eat unhealthy food that they would otherwise crave. So, 1% milk is good for seniors with weight problems since the contents are absorbed into the body slowly which is what gives that full feeling. The components of protein, some fat and carbohydrates in the drink also keep blood sugar stable which helps to keep cravings down additionally. It contains Vitamin D which is a great source of calcium to help keep bones strong as its best bonus.
- Hot chocolate: Hot chocolate is more than a fun drink; it protects a person’s heart against heart disease as well as helping with a person’s mood. For heart health, polyphenols are a plant-derived antioxidant, which come from cocoa that protect cells against the damage caused by oxidative stress which lowers good cholesterol levels. When the good cholesterol levels are lowered, then the risk of a heart attack is raised. In addition, the neurotransmitter serotonin is a mood regulator and chocolate increases the production of this.
- Low sodium tomato juice: This juice can protect a person against many cancers. Tomato products which are processed are the richest source of the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene helps to prevent cardiovascular disease as well as protecting the heart and the lungs against oxidative stress damage. Lycopene helps additionally with the reduction of stomach and lung cancer; pancreatic, esophageal, colorectal, breast, oral and cervical cancers.
- Cranberry juice: The antibacterial properties in cranberry juice help to ward off urinary tract infections. They also help protect against periodontal disease as they work to prevent gum disease. However, because of the sugar content it should be limited to 6 to 8 ounces daily. In addition, the container needs to read 100% juice, not cocktail juice or another juice drink that is not 100% juice.
- Water: Water is the number one beverage. It has no calories either and it’s all hydration. Drinking 6-8 cups a day is the goal. If plain water is unpalatable to a senior, then adding a piece of lime, lemon or cucumber is suggested. Flavored waters can be high in sugar though so be sure to check the labels on these beverages for sugar content. One thing also, most people are dehydrated without knowing it because people drink far too little water. So, drink the correct amount throughout the day even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Orange juice: This juice is a perfect source of vitamin C and it has potent antioxidants. These antioxidants can help towards preventing cataracts and cancer of the lungs. Vitamin C is a needed vitamin additionally for the body. For extra protection of bones, orange juice with calcium is recommended.
For a senior to stay hydrated is extremely important all year through. Drinking fluids which are both healthy and heart-healthy is a smart thing to do.