7 Hydrating drinks that are healthier than water

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Aloe water
Aloe vera, or aloe water, is a recent addition into the 'superfoods' or 'superdrinks' family.
Once hailed by the Egyptians as "the plant of immortality", it is a nutritional powerhouse of antioxidants and is known to have potent regenerative properties, helping stimulate cell growth and repair wounds.
Research has shown that aloe juice maintains good oral health, is a good detoxifying agent for the gut, has anti-carcinogenic properties, helps treat both sinus and eye infections, heals sunburns and allergies, and also treats acne.
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Green tea
Green tea boasts an impressive resume of its ability to improve a range of health issues, such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, stabilising blood sugar levels (crucial for managing diabetes), and even destroying cancer cells.
Its benefits do not end there: research has also shown it can hinder the formation of nerve plaques said to be responsible for Alzheimer's disease. Clearly, this nutritional powerhouse can offer you a myriad of health benefits that water alone is not adept at providing.
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Beet juice
Often dubbed as nature's candy with its sweet taste, beet has virtually no calories, is low in cholesterol, but is packed with antioxidants that make beet juice a sweet, guilt-free but nutritious indulgence.
Beets are rich in B vitamins and minerals, and can also lower the cholesterol level in your body - things that water alone is certainly not capable of.
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Coconut water
Just to clarify, we're talking coconut juice fresh from the fruit - the more natural the better and healthier, rather than those store-bought canned options.

Real and unprocessed coconut water from the fruit is low in sodium and rich in potassium, which means it can hydrate and replenish the body. In fact, many nutritionists recommend coconut water as another hydrating alternative after water, and it's said to have the same hydrating and muscle-restoring properties of a sports drink, minus the sugar. Avoid store-bought versions - they are high in sugar and therefore dehydrate the body instead.
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Watermelon water/juice
Although watermelons are made of mostly water (about 92 percent), it is packed with nutrients — it has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of antioxidants, amino acids and a decent amount of potassium. Drinking fresh and pure watermelon juice is not just extremely thirst-quenching, but also provides a great and natural source of nutrients with every gulp.
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Lemon-ginger tea
Rather than a 'true' tea per se, lemon ginger tea is an infusion of lemon juice and ginger root that results in a pleasant, citrusy aroma that is not only relaxing to the senses but nutritious.
Lemon-ginger tea is the perfect combination of the vitamin C-rich, mood-boosting and detoxing lemon, and the digestion-assisting ginger root. This results in a drink that is high in antioxidants, rejuvenates the skin, and relieves indigestion.
Researchers from King's College London actually believe tea to be a superior beverage in this sense as while water only replaces fluids, tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants.
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Probiotic drinks
Probiotics refer to bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. Probiotic drinks contain these "good" bacteria and can help alleviate or treat irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, skin conditions like eczema and is good for urinary and vaginal health.
As many scientists believe that our health often begins with our gut, probiotic drinks are definitely a drink to incorporate into our diet for its many health benefits. Start stocking up on that Yakult drink you might've overlooked at the grocery aisle!

First up, a drink that is actually healthier than water doesn’t exist. Water is still the ultimate source of hydration, with countless studies and research proving its ability to help us prevent illnesses, lose weight and so on. So what is this magical ‘healthier-than-water’ drink we’re referring to?

We’re talking drinks that have an array of great nutrients that water alone cannot provide. New research has shown that these drinks, like aloe water, coconut water, beet juice and green tea are a great source of antioxidants, phytonutrients and other benefits not present in water. These drinks have cancer-preventing properties, rejuvenate the skin and body, even prevent Alzheimer’s, and can overall improve your health and well-being. In fact, some researchers claim that tea is a superior beverage as it not only replenishes fluids in your body, but also provides great nutritional benefits at the same time.

If water is all the fluid you drink, you might be missing out on the potent health benefits of these beverages that could make a huge difference to your health. While we’re not suggesting that these drinks are a substitute for water, it can supplement crucial nutrients and provide significant health benefits that water cannot do.

Head up to the gallery to see which of these drinks might just be what you need!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

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