Protein drinks are drinks with high protein content.  They are made by adding a protein source to fluids.  There are also protein powders available in drug stores and groceries.  They are considered food and nutrient supplements. With the popularity of protein drinks and powders, are these drinks beneficial or detrimental to our health.

 

Proteins are indeed necessary for our body.  Protein helps in building muscles, skins, hairs, nails and internal organs.  There are twenty amino acids needed for the human body to grow.  Eight amino acids are produced by our body. They are necessary and should be present in the food we eat. While, the other twelve amino acids are manufactured within the body.

 

Manufactures and some study showed that after a protein drinks are necessary to drink after intense exercise or training where muscle tissues are damaged.  Protein is needed and necessary to repair muscles after physical exertion.  Therefore, it is imperative that a person who is exercising intensely should consume more protein. 

 

But there are contrasting beliefs.  There are some studies that agree that resistance and endurance training can really break down muscle protein and increase the need for protein consumption.  But even so, there is no need to consume protein drinks.  

 

Why?

 

During intense exercise, there is an increased need for calories which is proportional to increase need of protein.  So, when the amount of food that you eat increases, so does your calorie intake and your protein intake increases proportionally.  Eating plant foods like vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts can get you the protein amount you need without drinking protein shakes and powders.  

 

There are some studies concerning protein shakes and powders.  These studies showed that when whey protein is added to rat diet, there is a relative increase of tumors and cancers.  That is why most researchers and health care professionals, show concern on the high consumption of protein supplements.  

 

But both sides agree that protein drinks should never be the only source of protein.   As mentioned, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and whole grains can amount into about 50 grams of protein per 1000 calories.  Consuming green vegetables would give you the needed protein without heart and cancer risks.  Also, animal products are good sources of protein. 

 

Aside from the protein that you will get from these vegetables, you also get natural antioxidants that can protect you against other risks of heart diseases, hypertension and cancer. 

 

Too much is never too wise.  In a survey, the East German Olympic team of 1964, which are composed of 600 athletes, there are less than 10 people alive today.  Muscular growth and increased body mass with the aid of supplements and steroids increased the factors for heart attacks and other diseases in the long run.  This served as a reminder for us, we need to consider the long tern effects of what we are consuming, eating or drinking right now.  

 

Protein drinks and other kinds of supplements can definitely have an impact on out health. It could be bad or good.   We should always consider the long term effects and not only the short term impact of what we eat and drink.  But good health can never be measured with how big our biceps and laterals are. 

 

Our physical size can never be the basis of good health.  It can be judged by our strength, resistance to illnesses, longevity, and our youthful vigor as we grow old.

 

 

Today, more and more experts agree that taking vitamins and mineral supplements in liquid form can be quite effective in achieving optimum health. This is because in this form, the body can absorb the nutrients it needs easily. For this reason alone why may companies decided to come with health drinks in liquid form such as those in juices while others come up with powder form which should be consumed along with liquid. 

 

In the market nowadays, majority of the health drinks are available in pre-mixed form—usually in a bottle or tetra packs that are ready for drinking. However, there are also those that come in powder form that can be mixed with water to come up with your very own health drink. 

 

Experts agree that people, these days, are very lucky because there is a continuous research and science experiment that aim to provide healthier and better tasting health drinks. In fact, health drinks come with variations of fruits, vegetables, enzyme grains, nuts, seeds, and other herbs to make them more appetizing. 

 

Benefits of health drinks 

 

These days, health drinks are reported to react differently to people who are using them. These also react depending on the purpose of the person using it. Experts say that the health drinks available in the market today can be categorized depending on the need of the consumers.

 

There are those that are made to just deliver essential mineral and vitamins in the body. And, there are also those that are aimed towards increasing energy levels or increasing the muscle reaction to certain activities. 

 

No matter which one you choose, rest assured that you can benefit from it once used in moderation.

 

Aside from delivering essential vitamins and minerals and increasing energy, the following are other benefits of health drinks:

 

1. Satisfies the hunger and gives a sense of fullness. In a fast-paced, busy environment people are living in today, it is a must to have a source of energy at all times. One of the reasons why more and more people are into health drinks is to make up for the lost vitamins and minerals when they need to skip meal due to busy schedule. 

 

2. Improves overall health. Since most health drinks are packed with vitamins and minerals, it can help you fight off common diseases by consuming it regularly. 

 

3. Helps enhance mental stability. The nutrients in most health drinks are aimed to produce oxygen that keeps the blood vessels clear. Once a person takes in these nutrients regularly, it can help them have greater focus in the things that they do either at work or at home. 

 

Tips in buying health drinks  

 

Although many health drinks are available in the market today, not all of these can give you the nutrients that you need. Before you buy or consume a health drink, try to ask your doctor first which are the ones he or she can recommend that would best suit your needs. 

 

If you prefer to buy on your own, make sure that these do not contain ingredients that can be harmful to you such as phosphoric acid, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and sweeteners, artificial dyes and coloring, processed vitamins, and modified food starches. 

 

Also, make sure that the health drink that you are about to consume is not liquefied or pasteurized, have live enzymes from chlorophyll to aid better absorption, has natural antioxidants that can help combat free radicals and are made whole food ingredients to be safe. 

 

 

Tea is a good health drink. While some prefer Green Tea, did you know that you can get the same benefits by drinking Black Tea?

 

This is because Green tea and Black tea come from the same plant. In fact, there are two other teas that can also be made namely oolong and white tea. What makes these teas different from one another is simply how it is processed. 

 

If you drink Black tea regularly, you will have healthy arteries and increase your blood flow because it has antioxidants known as falconoid that also give the tea this rich flavor. Your cholesterol levels will also drop, you can protect yourself from certain cancers, develop stronger bones, have fresher breath and fewer cavities.

 

Just like coffee, Black Tea contains caffeine. The difference between the two is the fact that a cup of Black Tea or any other only contains 30 to 40 mg. of caffeine while coffee contains about 135 mg. 

 

Another benefit of Black Tea is the fact that it is calorie free. However, this will only stay that way as long as you don’t ass any sweeter or milk which can’t be helped since tea tastes bland without these additives. 

 

Heating is important to get the most of a sachet of Black tea.  This is because the heat helps the tea leaves impart their taste to the water. To do that, you have to set the sachet in the kettle for 2 to 3 minutes before pouring it into the cup. 

 

For those who decide to put the sachet straight into the cup, take out the bag first before drinking to prevent it from sinking to the bottom. Nothing bad will happen if you don’t except that when you are almost finished with the cup, the tea bag will probably land on your face. 

 

If you don’t like the taste of Black Tea and want to sweeten it a bit, try putting in some sugar, honey or a slice of lemon. You may even add ilk similar to those who drink coffee. 

 

You can have a snack whenever you feel like drinking Black Tea. This is great to have with biscuits, cake or cookies. This will even be better if you decide to have this before you go to work, as you are relaxing in the house or when you are entertaining visitors. 

 

Black Tea does not always have to be served with hot water. You can enjoy a cold glass by adding some ice and honey. One alcoholic concoction is punch and for that, you will need some orange juice, apple juice, mint, gingerale and some rum. 

 

It is also great to serve with egg nog by mixing some eggs, ground nutmeg, milk, vanilla extract, salt and whip cream.

 

Aside from these three drinks, there are other mixtures you can make with Black Tea. All you have to do is read up on it and try out a few experiments on your own. That way, you have something healthier to offer yourself and guests whenever you have someone over. 

 

Black Tea is very popular which is why a lot of people drink it. While some prefer this over coffee, little do they know that doctors and other health professionals consider it as health drink.