Matthew Garrett, Research, Week 1

The research that I was requested to study can be found in the link below:

Six Ideas for Low-Sugar Drinks
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/low-sugar-drink-ideas/index.html

To summarize the article, 6 ideas for low-sugar beverages are introduced as an alternative for sugary drinks.

1. Infused water (spa water)

This drink is simply water with a little 'umphhh' to it.  You can take sliced citrus fruits, zests,          mints, herbs, or sliced cucumber (or anything of the nature) and add a little of the flavoring to a pitcher of water to give it a little taste.

2. Tea

Black, green, caffeinated, decaf, or leaf and herbal tea are all calorie free substitutes to soda.  If you have to have some sort of sweetness to it, a teaspoon of sugar or honey only adds 15 calories to the beverage. There are already 'flavored-teas' that come ready to buy that are a low calorie drink.  Black and green tea are very good for you as well because they contain antioxidants, flavonoids, and active substances that are good for health.

3. Coffee

Coffee is calorie free, just beware of adding the mass amounts of sugar and cream to them.  Extra large cups at coffeehouses such as Starbucks can be loaded with sugar and cream that can make a calorie-free coffee have upwards of 400 calories.

4. Sparkling Water with a Splash of Juice

Ready-made sparkling juices can contain just as many calories as sodas.  To avoid this simply add an ounce or two of juice to 12 ounces of sparkling water to create a tasty, healthy drink. 

5. Fresh Fruit Coolers

1/2 cup of ice
3/4 cup of sugar-free sparkling water
1/3 cup of melon or berries
Chopped mint leaves or citrus slices (optional)

Blend all ingredients until you reach a desired slushy consistensy and then garnish with mint leaves or citrus slices to create a drink that only contains about 18 calories for a 12 oz glass.

6. Low-sodium broth or miso

Low-sodium broth can be a tasty substitute to drinks that will give your body the required fluids that it needs.  However, make sure that the broth is actually low-sodium, preferablly less than 200 milligrams of sodium per serving.


Also while watching tv the other day I came across a very effective commercial that promotes drinking water over soda!  Maybe finally the public is beginning to become aware of the harmful effects of so much sugar.  It is trying to get people to cut out sugar drinks and switch to water with the Nestle Pure Life Hydration Movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7FYxoOkGbM