Easy to make refreshing health drinks

CEBU, Philippines - While health drinks remain to be off limits for many owing to its gooey consistency and discouraging color, we could not discount the fact that the increasing health awareness of the public coupled by business enterprises' profit-oriented mentality and mass media's glitzy portrayal of an otherwise icky yet healthy goo have catapulted its demand to the top of almost everybody's list of must have daily liquids.

So, instead of grabbing a glass or two of that refreshing sugar loaded soda or that pitiful excuse of sugar drink disguised as fruit juice, it has become more appropriate to opt for the antioxidant-laced healthy alternatives. This is a good thing considering the fact that many lifestyle diseases like Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke are increasingly linked to soda drinks - even those labeled as "diet" or "sugar-free".

Here are five of my favorite health drinks that would not make you cringe

1. Vegetable and fruit juices. No, it doesn't have to be green and icky, but it definitely has to be palatable. Having a juicer in hand would be wonderful, but if you don't have one, then a blender would do the trick just as well. Fruit juices are rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins. You can mix and match the fruits and vegetables to make your drink exciting. And instead of sugar, use honey, which by the way has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Also, make sure to add some of the pulp for the fiber. A simple and less costly glutathione concoction would only need half of a fresh juicy sweet watermelon. Simply put it in the blender and turn it into a delicious refreshing juice rich in fiber and, yes, glutathione. You can opt to remove the seeds first before mixing it. A more traditional way of preparing watermelon juice is to simply crush it by hand (use plastic gloves, of course), which somehow, is more delicious than the blended one.

2. Yoghurt drink. Yoghurt is said to have been in the human diet for more than 5400 years. It is a dairy derivative produced by fermenting milk with a strain of Lactobacillus bacteria. The process converts much of the lactose to lactic acid, making it agreeable to lactose-intolerant individuals. However, for those who are really not into milk, a soy alternative can be explored. Yoghurt is rich in protein, calcium, and B-complex vitamins. It is good for indigestion and other gastric problems. A popular yoghurt concoction is the lassi, which is made by blending yoghurt with water, slices of fruits, and a little sweetener. Traditional lassi is salty and without the fruit.

3. Tea is probably one of the most mysterious and oldest health drinks in the world. Mysterious because its origin is a mystery in itself, although legend has it that it was discovered by accident when a tea leaf accidentally landed in a pot of hot water. The rest is history. Realage.com revealed that based on a study among obese individuals with metabolic problems, those who drank four cups of tea a day lost at least five pounds in eight weeks. The article said that the reason for the drop in weight could be the compound catechins, which are abundant in green tea. You can enjoy your tea either hot or cold. For a cold and refreshing drink, brew five bags of tea in half a pitcher of hot (but not boiling) water. Let it seep for at least five minutes (or 10, depending on your brew of preference), then add half a pitcher of cold water and some ice. Squeeze in a few kalamansi fruit and pour in some honey for taste. Serve chilled for a refreshing healthy drink.

4. Herbal infusions are not tea. There is always the confusion of associating herbal and flower infusions with tea, but they're not. Tea itself is an infusion from the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). My favorite flower infusion is chamomile and jasmine. Both have a calming effect, which makes it the best drink for those with insomnia and other sleep disorders. Chamomile, however, is an abortifacient (induces abortion) so this is not advisable for pregnant women. Another herbal infusion that is gaining popularity in restaurants is the pandan-lemongrass iced beverage. Studies by Israeli researchers have showed that extract from lemongrass causes cancer cells to kill themselves, which raises its potential as a cure for the big C. Pandan, on the other hand, has anti-diabetic properties as well as scores of other health-promoting benefits. A simple concoction can be had by simply boiling a clump of lemongrass. Once boiled to the desired taste, take it off the fire and then drop a leaf of pandan. Let the concoction seep to your desired taste. You can also add some honey as sweetener. You can serve it either hot or iced.

5. Coffee is rich in anti-oxidant. In fact, Realage.com listed this beverage as America's top dietary source of anti-oxidant. However, most of us do not want our coffee black. Some of us would prefer fancy coffee concoctions thickened and topped with calorie-rich cream. Dietitian Gail Frank said in a WebMD article that two tablespoons of milk would be enough to compensate for the calcium lost in drinking coffee (five milligrams of calcium is said to be lost for every six ounce of coffee consumed), and surely, it would be enough to make your favorite coffee drink achieve a creamy texture. Also, there are some who like their coffee sweet, that is why, to cut on calories, some would prefer to use artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which also has its own issues involving fancy diseases like multiple sclerosis and cancer (Medicinenet.com). In addition, long time Raja Yoga practitioner and world-renowned educational psychologist Diane Tillman, in her talk on Understanding and Preventing Depression at the World Headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris (www.bkwsu.org) credits white sugar and aspartame as a causative agent for depression. That is why, for those who prefer their coffee sweet, honey or brown sugar as sweetener would be the best option.

The beauty of these health drinks is that they are easy and simple to prepare. Most of the ingredients can be found in most Filipino kitchen. However, one must also remember to take these drinks in moderation.

Some of these concoctions, like coffee and tea, may be harmful if taken in large doses. Coffee for example is known to cause palpitations and sleeping problems if taken in high doses.

The rule of thumb is always to consult your doctor or to do research before starting any regimen that involves your body. Always be on the safe side, after all, the reason for shifting to health drinks from soda and sugar-loaded "juices" is to live a healthier life.

Sources: www.realage.com, www.bkwsu.org, www.webmd.com, and www.cancer.gov. Photo taken from www.dimensionshealthstore.com. Visit the author's blog at http://tribong-upos.xanga.com.