Beverages

Pure, naturally soft water (not softened water, which is high in sodium) is nature's choice beverage. Water is indispensable to the body and, next to air, is the most important factor for our very survival. Start the day with two or three cups of warm water taken about half an hour before breakfast to wake up the digestive system. Before the day is over drink 3 or 4 more glasses. But not at mealtime! Iced water (or any iced beverage) slows digestive fluids, so it is better to quench your thirst between meals rather than at mealtime. Remember that concentrated protein foods and salty foods increase the body's need for water. Drinking at least six glasses of water a day besides other fluids is a beneficial health practice.

Hot cereal beverage, made of roasted grains, provide the relaxing, soothing effect of a hot beverage without drug effects.

Certain herb teas, such as alfalfa, clover blossom, and mint, are not known to be harmful; hop and catnip teas have sedative effects and may be undesirable if used too freely.

Carob powder is made from the pods of the carob tree. The flavor of the carob powder is often compared to that of chocolate, but it is more subtle and delicate. Free of stimulating drugs such as caffeine, it is a good alternative for people who are allergic to chocolate. On a weight basis, it is lower in calories, protein, and fat than is cocoa. Since carob contains natural sugars, you may reduce the sweetening when replacing cocoa in beverages and desserts.

Alcoholic beverages cause intoxication, loss of judgment and self-control, and damage to the liver and the brain.

Carbonated beverages and imitation fruit juices contribute little more than sugar to the diet and, when used frequently, join candy and other sweets to increase the risk of dental caries and obesity.

Coffee and cola drinks contain caffeine, a drug that strongly stimulates the central nervous system; the effect is followed by depression. Habitual use of caffeine-containing beverages contributes to fatigue, an unbalanced nervous system, and loss of self control. When habitual use is discontinued, drug withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, usually occur, but typically theses disappear after a few days of abstinence.

Decaffeinated coffee does not produce significant caffeine effects. It has all the other ingredients of coffee, one of which is caffeol, which gives the characteristic aroma and flavor of coffee. Caffeol is an irritant to the stomach and digestive tract.

Tea (green or black) and iced tea contain caffeine as well as tannic acid, which slows digestion.

Caffeine Content of Approximately 6 oz of Selected Beverages.

Brewed Coffee                                 100-150 mg. caffeine

Instant Coffee                                  30-75 mg. caffeine

Decaffeinated Coffee                        2-6 mg. caffeine

Tea                                                    70-90 mg. caffeine

Cola-type beverages                          26-30 mg. caffeine

Chocolate and Cocoa contain a questionable amount of caffeine, but a larger amount of theobromine, a substance related to caffeine, but virtually inactive as a central nervous system stimulant. It is a weak diuretic. Chocolate contains a hard saturated fat believed to aggravate acne in some people. Cocoa is chocolate made into powder after most of the cocoa butter (hard fat) has been removed. However, the amount of sugar used to make it palatable may be more harmful than the chocolate itself.