The 10 Healthiest Beverages

 

If our article on America's most unhealthy drinks left you confused and thirsty, Health Magazine has assembled a list of the 10 healthiest beverages. The list is primarily based on each beverage's concentration of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are thought to neutralize free-radicals which can cause cell damage. One good rule of thumb is that fruit with a vivid color will be high in anti-oxidants. Be careful of over-consumption because many of the juices on the list contain a lot of natural sugar, so at some point you can mitigate a juice's health benefits if you drink excessive amounts. Experts recommend drinking 1 to 2 six-ounce glasses of juice a day in combination with whole fruits for optimal health benefits. The list, inside...

10. Apple juice
Clarified apple juice is thought to have less nutritional benefit than unclarified apple juice.

9. Tea
Tea is said to do everything from inhibiting bad breath to boosting the immune system.

8. Orange juice
Oranges and other citrus fruits are a rich source of Vitamin C and flavanoids.

7. Cranberry juice
Cranberries are also a good source of Vitamin C. There is research to support the myth that cranberry juice can help prevent urinary tract infections. It is thought to help prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall.

6. Açaí juice
Pronounced (ah-sci-ee), it is a rainforest berry that grows on palm trees the Amazon.

5. Black cherry juice
There is evidence that black cherry juice may diminish exercise-induced muscle injuries.

4. Blueberry juice
Blueberries are high in fiber and low in calories. Be the life of the party with funky blue teeth.

3. Concord grape juice
There is some research to support that grape juice is good for the heart and helps reduce blood pressure.

2. Red wine
What's better than healthy booze? Does this mean you should drink a lot of wine? No, experts recommend no more than 2 glasses a day since too much alcohol can create health problems.

1. Pomegranate juice
According to CBS, "Pomegranate is the healthiest of them all because it contains the most of every type of antioxidant. It wins in all categories. And it's thought that it might do some very good things; it may protect against some cancers, such as prostate cancer. It might also modify heart disease risk factors, and it could be healthy for your heart. So pomegranate was the clear winner. "

Pomegranate Ranked Healthiest Fruit Juice [CBS]
Pomegranate Juice is Packed With Antioxidants [Health Magazine]
Fab 4: juices that serve up a bounty of health benefits [BNet]