10 Healthy Drinks You’re Not Drinking—Yet!

Sure, water is the smartest drink out there, but if you're craving something more, these healthy drinks will give you a boost of nutrition.

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10 Healthy Drinks You’re Not Drinking—yet!
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With so many drinks filled with empty calories on supermarket shelves, it can be hard to find healthy drinks that also come with vitamins and minerals. But fear not, there are plenty of nutritious beverages to quench your thirst if you’re in the mood for something other than plain or infused water.

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Studio, Zubereitung von Grüntee (Grüntee)
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Green Tea

Green tea has been hailed for its health benefits in Asian countries for centuries; only recently did Americans get the memo. While many know green tea as a healthy drink that hydrates and soothes the soul, this drink does even more good than you may know. Green tea contains a high level of polyphenols which are believed to prevent certain types of cancer like breast cancer and prostate cancer. Studies suggest it can also help reduce sharp increases in blood sugar after a meal, which can be especially beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. Give this warm and soothing lemon thyme green tea a try.

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Healthy Pomegranate drink
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Pomegranate Juice

All-natural pomegranate juice is one of the most nutritious beverages on supermarket shelves. This vibrant fruit juice is packed with antioxidants that help protect cells from damage and decrease inflammation, which may help relieve some types of arthritis. It’s also rich in immune-boosting vitamin C, making it one of our favorite healthy drinks to fight off colds. Learn more about the health benefits of pomegranate.

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Healthy beet drink
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Beet Juice

Need a few reasons why you should incorporate beets into your diet? Beets’ health benefits are abundant, starting with the fact that they’re a powerful source of folic acid, magnesium and nitrates. Our bodies convert nitrates into nitric oxide, which helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Some studies suggest it’s a great food to eat before you workout to increase stamina. Grab a juicer and make this sweet healthy drink to go.

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Lemon water top view
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Lemon Water

We recommend starting your day with lemon water. Lemon water is a surprisingly powerful immune booster. Just 2 tablespoons of lemon juice stirred into a glass of water adds 14mg vitamin C. Another bonus? You’ll probably drink more lemon water than plain water because it tastes better—one more way to help stay hydrated.

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Healthy kombucha
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Kombucha

What is kombucha, anyway? This elixir is one of the hottest healthy drinks on the market. Wellness junkies rave about kombucha’s health benefits. Like other healthy fermented foods, fizzy kombucha is packed with probiotics that promote healthy bacteria in the gut. These bacteria aid in digestion and help your body absorb vitamins and minerals. Find out our favorite kombucha brand from our most recent taste test.

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Coconut water
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Coconut Water

The flavor of this tropical water is a bit controversial. Some people love it, and some hate it. But there’s no debating the fact that this healthy drink can hydrate the body and provide a surprising amount of potassium. Potassium plays an important role in maintaining a healthy heartbeat and regulating blood pressure. If you like carbonation, try this sparkling coconut water. (It’s one of our favorite healthy carbonated drinks.)

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Healthy hot chocolate with marshmallows
Taste of Home

Hot Chocolate

Who knew treats could be nutritious? We’ve all heard about the health benefits of cacao, but this antioxidant-rich drink is even more beneficial when mixed with milk, which is high in calcium and usually fortified with vitamin D. Find a new favorite hot chocolate recipe or try one of our favorite hot chocolate brands.

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Deutschland, Studio, Cranberry-Saft und Cranberries
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Cranberry Juice

This tangy juice is packed with antioxidants that can help prevent cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer, and promotes a healthy urinary tract. Cranberry juice is tart on its own, so it’s combined with sugar or other, sweeter fruit juices. Look for varieties that are 100% juice so you’re taking in all of cranberries’ health benefits.

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Healthy red wine
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Red Wine

Thought red wine was only good for kicking back and relaxing? Think again. Studies suggest that moderate amounts of any alcohol can help increase HDL (good cholesterol) and prevent artery damage. Resveratrol is an antioxidant specifically found in red wine that might have even more health benefits like helping to decrease LDL (bad cholesterol) and prevent blood clots. Red wine may even improve your oral health, too! Try a glass a day or switch things up with a warming glass of mulled red wine.

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Healthy orange drink
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Orange Juice

Possibly the most ubiquitous juice on the market, fresh orange juice is one of the healthiest drinks you can grab. Everybody knows it’s a great source of vitamin C, but most people don’t know that this healthy drink is a good source of potassium and thiamin plus calcium and vitamin D if it’s fortified. If you find fizz refreshing, try it in an orange juice spritzer.

Laura Denby
Cooking and writing have been Laura’s passion for 10 years. In addition to Taste of Home, Laura writes about food and culinary arts on sites like Food & Wine, Food Network and Delish. Though she’s a trained professional chef, Laura has branched into the wine and spirits space too. She has worked in multiple vineyards and earned a WSET Level 2 award in wine and spirits. Her work in professional kitchens, love of organizing and eye for the best kitchen products gives her a range of writing experience from cooking techniques to product testing. Outside of work, Laura loves wine tasting, traveling and hanging out with her dog and family.