Green Tea Or Coconut Water? Health Digest Survey Reveals The Most Popular Trendy Health Drink
We have no doubt that you're a world-class water drinker, always getting in your required eight cups a day. Because you know that when you're well hydrated your brain performs better, your digestion runs like a well-oiled machine, your joints are greased up, your energy skyrockets and your mood improves, your heart is happy, and toxins are escorted out of your body in a timely fashion (per National Council on Aging). However, you're the exception to the rule.
Forbes reports that an estimated 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. While the reasons for this are many, a 2021 study conducted by Evian reports that one of the leading reasons is that some people don't particularly enjoy the taste of water. Whether you're in that camp, or you just like to spice up your beverage game from time to time, there are plenty of other healthy beverages you can sip on when your body needs a little hydration.
Health Digest conducted a survey asking respondents which healthy drink they were most likely to reach for between coconut water, green tea, maple water, green juice, aloe vera juice, and kombucha, and here's what we found out.
The top choices
A whopping 44.77% of respondents said that they were most likely to brew up a little green tea. Healthline suggests that this is a great option when you're looking for hydration with some added health benefits. Green tea can contribute to improved brain function, aid in fat loss, and lower the risk of heart disease. It is also an excellent source of antioxidants, protecting us against cancer-causing free radicals. Everyday Health adds that even though many teas have caffeine (which can work against hydration), the amounts in green tea are generally so low it shouldn't have much of an effect.
Coming in second is coconut water, with 21.96% of the votes. Low in calories and high in electrolytes, coconut water is an excellent alternative for active people who are looking to give up sugary sports drinks (per Cleveland Clinic). It's also high in potassium, which can help flush out excess sodium in the bloodstream and lower blood pressure.
Another 12.52% of respondents said kombucha is their go-to healthy drink. Delightfully fizzy with a wide range of flavors, kombucha is a beverage made of fermented tea. Research suggests that it may act as a probiotic, both aiding in digestion and supporting a healthy immune system (per Mayo Clinic).
Healthy drinks you're less likely to reach for
Aloe vera juice – a gooey, sweet liquid made from the flesh of aloe vera plants – is the favorite amongst 8.75% of respondents. Healthline says that aloe juice is high in antioxidants, can ease constipation and IBS symptoms, and can improve oral health. A 2015 study published in Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology found that it also doubled the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in women over 40, improving the overall appearance of skin and reducing wrinkles.
Green juice, a broad term used to describe juice containing green vegetables, racked up just 7.20% of the votes. Despite its lower rank, green juice is often an excellent source of minerals, is hyper-hydrating, and provides necessary diversity for gut health, according to mindbodygreen.
Maple water received the least amount of votes, with just 4.80% of people giving it the number one spot. Maple water, which is actually just the sap from maple trees, is a thin clear liquid pulled up from the roots of maple trees that can be harvested by tapping the tree (per Eating Well). Research has suggested that maple water hydrates the body twice as fast as regular water. It can also reduce inflammation and reduce oxidative stress, making it a great option for highly active people.