Healthy beverages for healthy living.

All this week so far these Posts have concentrated on healthy eating, nutritional value, superfoods and such like. What about drinks - which have been covered before in this Blog, but here is another to close out the week. This also comes from 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/8773481) and is written by Adrian I .Paval (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adrian_I_Paval) and is worth a read for some inspiration while keeping it good for you, and an insight to the benefits. You might be surprised.

It is important to drink healthy beverages for your overall health. Drinks like sodas are not good for you because they are filled with sugar and empty calories. There are a number of beverages that you can have that will satisfy your thirst so you won't have to drink the ones that aren't good for you.

Water is the most important drink for you. It cleanses your body of all toxins. Water also hydrates your body because most of us don't get enough water and are dehydrated. It is important to drink water every two hours to keep from dehydrating. Water is beneficial for your skin and kidneys. Water gives you clear skin and prevents wrinkles. It also flushes out your kidneys. Water also keeps you from developing blood clots that cause heart attacks.

If you don't want plain water, you can get flavoured water. This isn't the flavoured water that contains sugar. This water contains fruit. You can add lemon and lime to the water to give it flavor without the extra sugar or calories. It is also good for you. It has the same benefits as water except that you can drink water with a little flavor to it.

Another type of water you can get is coconut water. Coconut has a lot of health benefits. Coconut water lowers your blood pressure. In addition to lowering your blood pressure, it helps you lose weight. It also raises your metabolism. It aids in diabetes prevention. It helps prevent flu symptoms as well as other viruses. Coconut water has a lot of benefits for you so you can feel free to drink it.

Water isn't the only healthy drink you can have. If you have a taste for something else, you may have other healthy drinks. Coffee is a drink that is good for your overall health. It is good for lowering the risk of diseases. Coffee decreases your risk of developing Type II diabetes. Coffee's also a good way to lose fat. Ingredients for coffee help you lose weight so if you're a coffee drinker, continue to get your fix. To be on the safe side, drink black coffee. Don't add too many creams and sugars or it will not be good for you.

Smoothies are great drinks to have. With smoothies, you can have as many fruits and vegetables as you want. Smoothies are a great way to get the fruits and vegetables you need in your diet. If you don't like eating raw fruits and vegetables, you can turn them into smoothies. It has the same nutritional value as eating the fruits and vegetables. It has great health benefits and they are tasty.

Believe it or not, hot chocolate is good for you. Hot chocolate has the same health benefits as dark chocolate. The cocoa in hot chocolate has a lot of antioxidants in it. Cocoa helps lower your risk of high blood pressure as well as cardiovascular disease.

If you like to drink alcohol, you can actually have a glass of wine. Red wine is low in calories so you won't be getting too many calories by drinking a glass. Red wine lowers the risk of death as well as lowers your risk of getting some cancers. Needless to say, you need to drink it in moderation because it is alcohol.

Green tea has a lot of benefits. Green tea helps prevent diseases. It also reduces your risk of having a heart attack. Green tea is also powerful enough to prevent cancer and osteoporosis. Green tea is a diuretic so it can reduce swelling. It's also beneficial to your cholesterol. It can lower your cholesterol. It's also a great component for weight loss. Many people drink green tea to lose weight. It may also help with gas problems that you may have. Green tea is the best one to drink, but you can also drink other flavors of herbal tea because they have health benefits too.

Fruit and vegetable juices are great choices as long as they are made with 100% juice. They also need to be sugar free. Juice is a good way to get the fruits and vegetables that you need for the day. Make sure the juice you get doesn't contain a lot of calories. You need to consume these juices in moderation because even 100% juice can be high in calories.

Low fat milk is a great source of vitamin D and calcium. It's also beneficial for your teeth and bones. Since milk is high in protein, it's great for your muscles. Since milk has a lot of potassium, it can help lower your blood pressure. Drinking at least two cups a day is good to help you with weight loss.

If you don't like milk from a cow, you can drink soy milk. It's a great source of vitamins A, B, D, and E. It also doesn't have cholesterol. It's a great source of iron, zinc, and omega - 3 fatty acids that you need to survive. It's a great way to fight ageing. Soy milk aids in lowering cholesterol. It also helps with arthritis. It reduces your risk of heart disease. It also reduces your risk of getting breast and prostate cancer. There are a lot of health benefits to drinking soy milk.

WhyWeight, don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Working and exercising - more tips for a workplace routine.

Further to the previous Post, here are a few more handy hints and tips to keep you fit, energised, healthy and active in your workplace, if like me, you spend a lot of time driving your desk, or driving your car, bashing away at a computer keyboard, or answering the phone, get up, walk around, get out at lunchtime and stimulate those muscles and your circulation.

Written by Kate Stratton (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Stratton) and sourced through 'ezinearticles' at http://EzineArticles.com/8794133, there is some good common sense stuff here that we all too often and all too quickly neglect.


Hands up who works in an office - either at home or at the company workplace?

Lots of us do. For at least 8 hours a day we toil away at our desks indoors. But only now are we starting to recognize the detrimental health effects this lifestyle has on our bodies. So whilst quitting the office life is likely not an option, how can we make changes can we make to stay healthy whilst maintaining an office job?

Sitting all day?
Is sitting the new smoking? That's what some people are now claiming due to the serious effects sitting all day has on the body. The Smithsonian claims that sitting all day can increase rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

So what can we do?
Take regular breaks from sitting. Move around. Get a glass of water. Make an effort to take the stairs. Or even better is invest, or convince your boss to invest, in a standing desk. Rather than sit or stand all day, the optimal goal is to mix it up, so as not to put excessive strain on the body.

Not getting enough vitamin D?
It's so easy to not get enough vitamin D. If you are like me, maybe you commute to work early via train or car, work all day then return home or head straight to the gym. Vitamin D is really important for proper bodily functioning, including calcium absorption which can lead to nasty bone problems in the long term. We can all become easily depleted, especially in winter.

So what can we do?
While you may feel the urge to sit at your computer during your lunch break, often lunchtime is the only chance you'll have to get out and catch some sweet sun rays. So grab your lunch and get outside for a break that will do your body good and make you feel refreshed for the afternoon ahead.

If you are unsure whether you are getting enough vitamin D, get your levels checked by a doctor. Vitamin D supplements are commonly prescribed once a deficiency is identified.

Too much sugar and caffeine?
Ah, sugar and caffeine. I have a love hate relationship with both. Both are great when you have them but then they let you down as the rush dissipates. Then you need more. And more. Suddenly I'm drinking four coffees a day and feeling crap. Eating chocolate in the afternoon and wondering why I'm not sleeping well. Then having more coffee in the morning to make up for not sleeping, and on and on goes the vicious cycle. Coffee is like the bad boyfriend I could never leave.

So what can we do?
Well, getting off the coffee train is not for necessary for everyone. But including some other options to help stay awake can promote a healthier lifestyle. This includes green apples, various teas such as yerba mate and going for a brisk walk at lunchtime all help. So try to mix it up a little and your body will thank you.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-