Best Antioxidant Drinks for Health | Green Tea, Herbal Tea, Cocoa

The Power of Antioxidants

Antioxidants have become an incredibly popular topic in recent years. These powerful compounds fight against free radicals in your body which can lead to oxidative stress and chronic disease over time. Consuming antioxidant-rich foods and drinks on a regular basis can help boost your overall health.

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals. Our bodies produce free radicals as a normal byproduct of energy production and other processes. But things like sunlight, pollution, smoking, and a poor diet can spur the production of too many free radicals.

Free radicals cause oxidative stress which triggers cell and DNA damage. Over time, oxidative stress has been linked to many chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, cataracts, and cognitive decline.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by giving up some of their own electrons. This terminates the electron "stealing" reaction of the free radical. Some antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione can also be recharged and reused.

Top Antioxidant Drinks

Fortunately, nature provides us with many antioxidant-rich foods and beverages. Stock your kitchen with items high on the ORAC scale which measures the antioxidant power of foods. Here are some of the top antioxidant drinks to try:

Green Tea

Green tea is arguably the healthiest beverage you can drink next to water. It's loaded with polyphenol antioxidants like the well-known EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). Research confirms green tea's anti-inflammatory, anticancer, brain protective, fat burning, and anti-diabetes effects.

Opt for high quality matcha green tea powder to get the greatest concentration of antioxidants. Or choose loose leaf or bagged varieties - just avoid bottled green teas which tend to be lower quality.

Black Tea

Black tea offers a different set of antioxidants compared to green tea, but is highly beneficial in its own right. The oxidization process used to produce black tea quadruples its content of theaflavins - antioxidants unique to black tea linked to improved cholesterol levels and heart health.

Higher grade Indian or Sri Lankan black teas tend to offer more antioxidants than cheaper brands imported from China. Drinking black tea could help reduce your risk of stroke, diabetes, cancer, and more.

Hibiscus Tea

With its vibrant red-purple color and tart, cranberry-like flavor, hibiscus tea is easy to fall in love with. The high antioxidant content of hibiscus is unprecedented, with ORAC values nearly twice as high as blackberries or raspberries. Active compounds like anthocyanins give hibiscus tea its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Research shows hibiscus tea helps lower blood pressure, blood fat levels, and blood sugar. Enjoy hibiscus tea chilled or hot, on its own or with lemon juice, ginger, honey or other herbs.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos is an herbal tea made from the leaves and stems of the "red bush" grown exclusively in South Africa's Cederberg region. It boasts a delicious flavor profile - warm, earthy, vanilla notes with a subtle sweetness. Rooibos is high in antioxidant flavonoids like quercetin that may fight cancer, infection, inflammation and more.

Other compounds in rooibos prevent kidney stones, lower "bad" LDL cholesterol, and inhibit weight gain. Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free so you can enjoy it any time of day.

Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks

Vinegar is produced through the fermentation of fruit sugars which creates key antioxidants like gallic acid and chlorogenic acid. But apple cider vinegar really shines with its high antioxidant content. Scientists have identified over a dozen antioxidant compounds present in apple cider vinegar.

These antioxidants give apple cider vinegar its anti-diabetic, anti-cancer and heart protective benefits. To make it more palatable, dilute 1 to 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar in water or fruit juice. You can also blend into green smoothies or stir into tea.

Kombucha Tea

This gut-healthy fermented tea has become hugely popular in recent years. Kombucha begins with a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria that feeds on the sugar and tea to produce beneficial organic acids and antioxidants.

Research shows drinking kombucha regularly decreases oxidative stress and inflammation while protecting against cancer and diabetes probably thanks to its antioxidant content. Enjoy kombucha plain or flavored with fruit juice, herbs or spices.

Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate is an herbal tea made from the leaves of a South American shrub. With a bold, earthy flavor akin to green tea, yerba mate is a beloved social beverage in parts of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. The yerba mate plant is packed with polyphenols and antioxidant compounds linked to better immunity, less inflammation, decreased risk of heart disease and DNA protection against damage from oxidation.

Yerba mate contains caffeine as well which enhances alertness, mood and sports performance. Brew it strong like coffee or more gently as an afternoon refreshment.

Cocoa & Dark Chocolate Drinks

Rich, indulgent dark hot chocolate and cocoa may be healthier than you ever expected! Thats because the cocoa bean ranks very high in antioxidants which get retained in sweet and bitter dark chocolate. And gram for gram, dark chocolate contains more antioxidants than famous superfoods like acai berries, pomegranates and blueberries.

The flavonoids and polyphenols in chocolate and cocoa show powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and heart protective abilities. Just be sure to choose dark chocolate with at least 70 percent cocoa and avoid adding too much sugar. Enjoy an antioxidant-rich mocha by adding a shot of espresso which also boasts antioxidants.

Health Benefits of Antioxidant Drinks

Years of scientific research on antioxidants reveals some truly impressive benefits for our health. Heres a look at some of the top reasons to drink antioxidant rich teas and other beverages:

Supports Heart Health

Antioxidant compounds found in many teas, apple cider vinegar drinks, cocoa and kombucha have been shown to improve blood flow, decrease LDL or bad cholesterol oxidation while raising good HDL cholesterol. This adds up to better heart health and lower risk of heart attacks, strokes and coronary artery disease.

Wards Off Cancer

The free radical fighting power of antioxidants neutralizes oxidative damage in cells that can lead to cancer over time. Antioxidants also support the bodys natural detoxification processes to remove cancer-causing toxins. Lab studies confirm green tea antioxidants in particular may target and destroy cancer cells or prevent cancer cell growth.

Protects Brain Function

Antioxidant rich drinks like green tea, black tea and cocoa contain active compounds that cross the blood-brain barrier to exert protective effects on the brain. Researchers say regular intake of these drinks may guard against Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases, dementia, depression and normal cognitive decline that happens with aging.

Supports Weight Loss

Many delicious antioxidant-rich beverages like green tea, black tea, yerba mate tea, coffee and cocoa have thermogenic fat-burning effects thanks to plant chemicals and caffeine content. Kombucha has also been linked to weight loss and smaller waistlines. Drinking more of these antioxidant drinks while reducing sugary beverages promotes healthy body weight.

Fights Inflammation & Arthritis

Chronic low-grade inflammation is believed to be at the root of todays common diseases like diabetes, atherosclerosis, arthritis and even cancer. The anti-inflammatory activity of antioxidant-rich drinks can help suppress this process. Active compounds in hibiscus tea and apple cider vinegar fight inflammation on a cellular level by inhibiting inflammatory markers.

Supports Immunity

Emerging research suggests that antioxidant compounds found in teas support healthy immune function to fight infection from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Drinking green tea appears to stimulate and strengthen both the innate and adaptive immune system. And kombuchas antioxidants team up with beneficial probiotics to give your immune defenses a leg up.

Tips for Reaping the Benefits

When shopping for antioxidant-rich beverages, keep these helpful buying and preparation tips in mind:

Choose Loose Leaf or Whole Tea

The highest quality teas are available as loose leaf rather than pre-bagged tea. Whole herbs, spices, cocoa nibs and kombucha starters will also ensure you get the highest antioxidant content from their natural phytochemicals and flavonoids before processing and oxidation.

Buy Organic & Unbleached

Choose organic and ethical trade tea, yerba mate, rooibos and other antioxidant ingredients whenever possible. This ensures your beverage doesnt contain pesticide residues. Opt for unbleached tea bags and filters if using bags for a pure, clean-tasting steep.

Control Water Temperature & Steeping Time

The ideal water temperature and steeping time varies for different antioxidant tea types, and oversteeping can make tea taste bitter. Research suggests fairly hot but not boiling temps between 160F - 190F and steeping for just 1 to 3 minutes maximizes antioxidant extraction.

Try Cold Brewing

You can cold brew green, black or herbal teas in cold water for an antioxidant-rich, refreshing summer drink. Simply use more tea leaves and allow to infuse overnight in cold water for best flavor.

Flavor Smartly

Skip the milk and sweeteners and flavor your antioxidant drinks naturally with lemon, berries, peach, ginger, cinnamon and other antioxidant-rich ingredients that enhance the health benefits.

Drink Multiple Cups Daily

Research supporting the antioxidant benefits of teas and other drinks is often based on 3 to 5 cups per day. Split your intake in both hot and cold beverages to see the best antioxidant effects.

The Final Sip

Science continues to uncover new ways that antioxidant-rich foods and beverages can improve our health and wellbeing. Drinking 3 to 5 cups of green tea, yerba mate, herbal tea, coffee, cocoa or other antioxidant drinks daily offers anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer, brain boosting and immune enhancing benefits.

So kick back with a comforting hot cup or refreshing cold antioxidant beverage like rooibos or kombucha. Ultimately, drinking more antioxidant-rich fluids while decreasing sugary sodas and fruit juices is linked to living longer, healthier lives.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.