COFFEE, TEA FOR A WHOLE NEW ME
- Some people do not like to drink plain water because it has no taste. So I infuse our water with lemon juice and sometimes peeled cucumber and mint. Keep it in the fridge for a refreshing drink! I do not recommend leaving lemon slices and unpeeled cucumbers in the water for more than 1 day because they become soggy and grow mold.
- I love coffee! It is almost an addiction. I used to drink Starbuck’s frap all the time and love tons of milk and sugar in my coffee. However, I have successfully made the switch to black coffee. Less empty calories in our cup. We use Peet’s coffee, Starbuck’s medium/light roast, Barako, and other gourmet coffees. Be sure to find good coffee. Black instant coffee is just not palatable in my opinion.
When you drink your coffee black, you get to really appreciate the taste and aroma of the coffee beans. It is fun and exciting to try different coffees as well.
- Shakes are a great way to get your fruits and vegetables in. It is so easy, it feels like cheating!
On Sundays, I prepare the ingredients for our morning shakes for the week. I have mason jars lined up and fill them with sliced fruits, salad greens, berries, and whatever we want in the shake. So that we get our daily fix in a couple of gulps.
Don’t forget to add some mint for a surprising kick! You can add an avocado for a creamier shake.
“I can’t believe I just drank a handful of kale and spinach, lots of blueberries and strawberries in one sitting!”
THE SCIENCE:
Stay hydrated with purified water. Drink half of your body weight in ounces of purified water everyday. It you weigh 150 lbs, drink at least 75 ounces, or about 9 glasses of water per day. If you drink coffee or tea, include an extra 12 to 16 ounces because caffeine is a diuretic.
Recent studies have shown that dementia can be staved off by proper nutrition. Adhering to a Mediterranean diet is beneficial.
Dr. Lotta Granholm-Bentley, Director of the Center on Aging at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) stated that adding strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and dark leafy vegetables in your diet can help prevent the development of dementia.
Compiled and written by: Lourdes Hizon – Guevara
Reference:
Lourida, Ilianna; Soni, Maya; Thompson-Coon, Joanna; Purandare, Nitin; Lang, Iain A.; Ukoumunne, Obioha C.; Llewellyn, David J: Mediterranean Diet, Cognitive Function, and Dementia: A Systematic Review. Epidemiology, July 2013, Vol 24, Issue 4, 479-489.
