There is a big emphasis on eating healthily these days, with lots of people wanting to choose good, nutritious food, not just to look good, but to improve their internal health.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of delicious drinks recipes that have been created to boost gastronomical health.
Coffee
Coffee often gets a bad rep, but if you don’t consume too much caffeine, it can actually have some health benefits. For instance, it helps regulate digestion by encouraging the body to flush out toxins.
According to the London Gastroenterology Centre, caffeinated drinks “serve to stimulate mobility in the gastrointestinal tract”. Therefore, if you want to get things moving, buying a takeaway coffee could be the answer.
Ginger tea
Another hot drink that commuters should order is ginger tea, as this reduces inflammation in the body.
It is known to soothe cramps, relieve nausea and has an ability to “aid in balancing stomach acid levels thus making your stomach more susceptible to a greater intake of nutrients”.
To boost its flavour and nutritional content, you can add a splash of lemon juice .
Kefir smoothies
Smoothie bars have been popular for years, but the latest trend is for kefir smoothies, as these support good gut health.
By swapping the milk content for the probiotic kefir, which is a thin, runny yoghurt, you can reduce inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as aid digestion.
Vegetable smoothies
You might also want to order a vegetable smoothie instead of a sweet fruity one. While fruits are packed with nutrients, Holland And Barrett suggests choosing smoothies with veg in them too, particularly colourful ones.
Nutritionist from Holland and Barrett Eliza Glynn said: “Plant-based diets are often better for the gut microbiome, as they are naturally higher in fibre and phytochemicals.”
White tea
While lots has been written about the benefits of green tea, white tea is also a good choice of drink if you want to improve gut health.
The health food store stated: “White tea can be an alternative to green tea, as this can be an acquired taste. White tea is more mellow and some people may prefer it to the bitterness of green tea.”
However, it still works in the same way by encouraging the growth of specific gut microbiota or preventing development of those that are detrimental to good health.
Red wine
A recommendation that not many people would argue with is for red wine. As it has a high polyphenol content, it is known to increase levels of good gut bacteria.
Therefore, having a couple of glasses here and there could be beneficial to your gastro health.
Avoid soda
While consumers now have a better idea of what they should be buying to drink, gastroenterologist Dr Simon C Matthews from John Hopkins has revealed what they should also avoid.
According to the expert, fizzy drinks and soda are big culprits when it comes to bloating, reflux and burping.
Speaking to Huffington Post, he said: “While they can be easy on the way down, these drinks are linked to chronic conditions as well, such as diabetes and heart disease.”
These findings could be helpful to cafes and smoothie bars that want to target those who are conscious about their wellbeing, and may lead to them bulk buying branded takeaway coffee cups to meet the growing demand for the caffeinated beverages.
