With so many trends in health beverages, it is hard for the health conscious to sift through which drinks are truly healthy. From teas, infused water, kombucha, immunity shots, juices and smoothies, Guide is here to help break down why drinking fruits and vegetables is a good idea and where to find them locally.
With so many trends in health beverages, it is hard for the health conscious to sift through which drinks are truly healthy. From teas, infused water, kombucha, immunity shots, juices and smoothies, Guide is here to help break down why drinking your fruits and vegetables is a good idea and where to find them near you.
Benefits of Healthy Drinks
Aid digestion
Healthy liquid beverages provide the body easier digestion to absorb nutrients. This gives the stomach a break from working as hard, helping the intestines pull out necessary nutrients, minerals and vitamins necessary for cellular health.
Detoxification
Healthy drinks help the body detox from harmful toxins, helping to energize and rejuvenate the body. They can provide necessary antioxidants, liver-cleansing and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Many of these special ingredients are bitters. Examples of these include dandelion, lemon and stinging nettle. Bitters stimulate gastric juices that promote better absorption, digestion and transporting toxins out of the body.
Protect Teeth and Gums
Sailors knew that keeping citrus on hand prevented scurvy, a disease of bleeding gums. This is because humans lack an enzyme called, L-glucono-gamma lactone oxidase. This enzyme is required to synthesize vitamin C. Ingredients like berries, broccoli, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, papaya and strawberries contain this vital vitamin.
Replenish Vitamins and Minerals
Healthy beverages provide the body with electrolytes and minerals that need to get replenished especially during times of illness, stress and strenuous exercise.
Skin care
Like an apple turning brown, skin needs vitamin C to help keep it from oxidizing and aging. Antioxidants are readily available in these nutritive beverages.
Difference between Juicing and Smoothies
When out to a favorite juice and smoothie cafe, or creating delicious concoctions at home, there are several things to consider when getting the recommended daily allowance of fruit and vegetables.
It is important to note whether making juices and smoothies at home or purchasing them in a cafe or grocery store, checking on the freshness of the ingredients will give maximum benefits in nutrient content.
Cold-pressed
This process refers to fruits and vegetables pressed between two plates after it has been chopped or macerated into pulp. Juicing at home is a great way to create custom blends that give maximum results since the fruits and veggies will be at their peak freshness.
Smoothies
Smoothies keeping the fruit or vegetables fiber intact. this makes them more satiating drinks than juice, which is why some people prefer them. Smoothies are blends of several of the following:
- Dairy products
- Herbs
- Juices
- Nut milks
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Spices
- Soy milk
- Sweeteners
Juice and Smoothies Cafes in Greater Tampa Bay
- Locally owned and responsibly sourced ingredients
- Dairy-free smoothies, green smoothies with add-ons
- Immunity shots
- Large assortment of acai bowls
- Three locations
- Boosted energizing drinks
- Power energizing teas
- Smoothies with add-ons
- Acai bowls
Two locations — The Brandon Spot and Nutrifit Spot
- Protein shakes and smoothies
- Add-ons in hot teas like collagen and fiber
- Specialty teas
- B-Fit and core products
- Superfood bowl
- Organic blended beverages
- 19 add-ons including blue-green algae
- Detox blends
- Blended superfood tonics
- Blended superfood bowls
- Wellness shots
Two locations in Tampa
- Smoothies
- Soul bowls
- Founded for the fitness and wellness community
- Protein shakes
- Cold pressed juices
- Superfood smoothies
- Cold pressed juices
- Acai bowls and smoothies
- Energy shots
- Seasonal juices
- Swami Cleanses
- Cold pressed juices
- Smoothies
- Nut-based milks
- Add-ons to all drinks
- Various bowls
- 100% fruit juices
- Smoothies
- Acai bowls
- Veteran owned with military/first responder discounts
- Organic raw green smoothies
- Organic raw fruit smoothies
- Smoothie bowls
- Superfood green smoothies
- Custom build smoothies
- Kombucha on tap
- Elixir drinks
DRNK Coffee + Tea QWENCH Juice
- Fresh pressed raw juices
- Shots and teas
- Green and fruit smoothies
- Protein smoothies
- Locally owned
- Detox smoothies
- Fruit and superfoods smoothies
- Fresh fruit and vegetable juices
- Pitaya and acai bowls
- Green and superfood protein shakes
- Protein shakes and protein bowls
- Smoothies
- Vitamin and supplement add-ons
By Deborah Holmén, M. Ed., NBCT.