Healthy Hot Beverages: Water Isn't Your Only Choice

A lot of people feel as though the only real drink you're supposed to consume is water. It's no real wonder why people get that impression; it's all the health experts seem to talk about. No one, after all tells you how many glasses of Coke you should be drinking per day. But the choice isn't just between water and a sugary soda. In fact, you don't necessarily need to drink something cold at all. There are several healthy hot beverages that can be a part of any successful diet plan. Here are three of them that can serve you well.

Tea
One of the best things you can drink when on a diet is green tea. While you don't need to drink it warm to get the benefits, you may find you enjoy it in that format. The green variety not only provides you with metabolic properties that can get your weight loss moving, but also provides a number of benefits beyond that. Some studies have shown a potential link between drinking green tea and reducing your risk of cancer. If that's not enough reason to try it, what is? Healthy hot beverages don't get any better. Of course, green tea isn't your only option. There are fine benefits to drinking black, oolong, and white as well.

Coffee
The majority of the population thinks of coffee as a vice instead of putting it into the category of healthy hot beverages, but is there any reason it can't be a bit of both? Truthfully, coffee can provide several benefits to its drinkers. There is no other drink or food that approaches its level of antioxidants, which have been shown to be effective in the fight against cancer. Coffee can provide another benefit to those looking to lose weight: it is an appetite suppressant. The caffeine included in the drink could be just enough to quiet your stomach until it is time to eat again.

Hot Cocoa
If you wake up one morning and you're not in the mood for coffee, cocoa can be a wonderful substitute. Among healthy hot beverages, it may be lagging behind coffee and tea in popularity, but studies have shown that chocolate is a very healthy substance. Dark chocolate is particularly powerful in this regard, showing benefits ranging from lower blood pressure to increased serotonin levels. Once again, the antioxidants are in effect. The flavonoids included in cocoa have been shown to reduce inflammation, which in turn can prevent heart disease. If you want to cut calories, use skim milk to make your cup.