Drink This First Thing In The Morning

Drink THIS First Thing in the Morning:

This daily trick can help you detoxify, improve your digestion and
boost your metabolism & energy levels

by Mike Geary – Certified Nutrition Specialist

Author of the best seller: The Top 101 Foods that FIGHT Aging

 


You’re bombarded with toxins in today’s modern world… everywhere
from the polluted air you breathe, the water you drink, the shampoos and
other cosmetics that lather your body with chemicals, and of course, all
of the chemical additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and other
harmful compounds in the food that you eat.

All of these TOXINS can have harmful effects on your body, harming
your metabolism and hormones, impairing your digestive system, and
zapping your energy levels.

If I could tell you ONE thing that you could do each morning right as
you wake up to help your body eliminate some of these toxins, improve
your digestion, stimulate your metabolism, and BOOST your energy,
would you do it?

 

Of course you would… and it takes less than 1 minute!

Here’s the trick…

 

Immediately upon waking each day, squeeze about 1/2 to 1 full lemon

(depending on size of the lemon) into an 8 oz glass of warm or room

temperature purified water.  This is gentler on your body first thing in the

morning compared to ice cold water.  I’ve found that slicing the lemon

into quarters before squeezing by hand is easier than squeezing halves.

Drink this at least 10 minutes before eating any food for the day.

 

Make sure to use fresh organic lemons to make this drink, and not
bottled lemon juice.  You want to use organic lemons to avoid the
pesticides that can accumulate.
 

 

3 Major benefits of this morning drink to your body, health, and

energy:

 


According to a leading health publication, TheAlternativeDaily.com:

“The health promoting benefits of lemons are powerful. For centuries, it
has been known that lemons contain powerful antibacterial, antiviral and
immune boosting components. We know that lemons are a great digestive
aid and liver cleanser.  Lemons contain citric acid, magnesium,
bioflavonoids, vitamin C, pectin, calcium and limonene, which
supercharge our immunity so that the body can fight infection.

Lemons are considered one of the most alkalizing foods you can eat.
This may seem untrue as they are acidic on their own. However, in the
body, lemons are alkaline; the citric acid does not create acidity once it
has been metabolized. The minerals in lemons are actually what helps to
alkalize the blood.  Most people are too acidic (from eating too much
sugar and grains), and drinking warm lemon water helps reduce overall
acidity, drawing uric acid from the joints. This reduces the pain and
inflammation which many people feel. And the American Cancer Society
recommends warm lemon water to encourage regular bowel movements.”
 
Benefits that you can enjoy:

1. Improves your digestion:

Lemon juice helps your body improve digestion and stimulates bile

production. Lemon juice can even be an aid for heartburn and indigestion.

2. Boosts your energy for the day:

 

Even just the scent of lemon juice has been shown to improve your mood

and energy levels, and reduce anxiety.  Plus the detoxifying effect and

alkalizing effect of fresh organic lemon juice can improve your energy

through the removal of toxins from your body.

3. Helps you to lose fat:

 

Since lemon juice helps to improve your digestive system, aids in

removal of toxins, and increases your energy levels, this all combines

together to help you to lose body fat as well through improving your

hormonal balance… Yet another reason to add warm lemon water to

your daily morning routine!

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Get This: Drink Water, Slim Down

Check out the list of links that should be on your radar today:

Drink up! Consuming more water may help you lose weight, according to a new review of prior studies. [Reuters]

Two men with HIV appear to have been cured by bone marrow transplants. Amazing! [UPI.com]

Happily married couples see lifelong health benefits. Here’s how to make your bond stronger. [ScienceDaily]

Only 14 percent of people say they’re in their dream jobs, according to a recent survey. Well that’s a bummer. Here’s how to make a career switch to something you’ll love. [Reuters]

Drinking skim milk might not actually help prevent obesity any better than drinking whole milk. Oy. [TIME.com]

CT scans are too good at detecting embolisms—they can raise alarm about small, harmless blockages and lead to unnecessary treatment. [NYT]

Electric knives are the top gift given to brides-to-be, according to new information released by the NDP Group. Because nothing says marital bliss like a sharp moving blade. [Businessweek]

A new site called Vegan Sellout List was created to publicly shame former vegans. So hurting animals isn’t cool, but hurting people is? Something’s wrong with this picture. [Jezebel]

Apparently women are closing the “cheating gap.” Doesn’t exactly seem like something we should be proud of… [al.com]

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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Should I Worry About… Driving After a Drink?

Drinking and driving is serious business. Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that states lower the current blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent or lower.

“We continue to kill 10,000 people annually in these crashes (involving alcohol), injuring 173,000, and 27,000 of those injuries are debilitating, life-altering injuries,” says NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman. Lowering the legal driving BAC limit was one of 19 recommendations released in a NTSB report titled “Reaching Zero: Actions to Eliminate Alcohol-Impaired Driving.”

Experts say it’s tough to provide a number of drinks per hour that would set you above the legal limit of 0.08 (or the suggested limit of 0.05) because there are just so many factors that go into how your drinking affects your body. The strength of the drink (a strong beer versus a light one, for example), whether or not you have food in your stomach, how quickly you’re going through drinks, and your weight all come into play, says Alexander C. Wagenaar, PhD, professor of health outcomes and policy at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

Another big factor is serving size; think about the heavy pours you get at certain restaurants, and check out this infographic to see how the serving sizes of different drinks compare.

Alcohol can also affect women differently than men: When you drink alcohol, the ethanol diffuses into all the water-soluble parts of the body, explains Wagenaar, who has been doing research on road safety and alcohol issues since the early 1980s. In general, women naturally have a higher percentage of fat tissue than men—which means less water-based tissue for the ethanol to diffuse into. So even if a woman and a man of the same weight consume the same amount of alcohol, the woman will end up with a slightly higher BAC.

Under normal circumstances, if you’re 200 pounds, it’s unlikely that you’ll hit the proposed 0.05 limit after two drinks—”but that assumes some time passes between the drinks,” says Wagenaar. “If you weigh 90 pounds, at the other extreme, well then it’s possible—and not at all unlikely—that one drink on an empty stomach could hit a woman to the (proposed) 0.05 limit,” he adds.

For a 140-pound woman, one drink would probably put her around the 0.03 BAC level, says Wagenaar.

Those are all rough estimates, of course; since you probably don’t carry a breathalyzer around in your clutch, there’s really no way to know exactly how a drink will affect you on any given night.

In its recent report, the NTSB cited research showing that by 0.05 BAC, most people experience visual and cognitive impairments. The report also notes that more than 100 other countries—including the majority of European countries—have a BAC limit of 0.05 or lower. “The risk is very definitely there, and it’s not insignificant at 0.05,” says Wagenaar. “That’s why 0.05 is a logical legal standard that’s in place in most developed countries in the world.”

At 0.05 BAC, people are 38 percent more likely to be in a crash than people who are completely sober, according to research cited in the NTSB report. At 0.08 BAC, people are 169 percent more likely to be in a crash than people who haven’t had anything to drink.

Here’s the deal, though: Regardless of whether the legal BAC limit is set at 0.08 or 0.05, the fact remains that even a little bit of alcohol does affect your ability to drive safely. “When you need to cognitively attend to more than one thing at a time—which is a clear part of driving—those types of abilities begin to deteriorate even at the low levels of drinking,” says Wagenaar. “So the safest is to not drink and drive at all—I mean zero BAC.”

If you’re planning to drink, have a designated driver with you, or take a cab home (save taxi numbers in your phone beforehand!). There are even apps and websites out there for connecting you with a designated driver that will get you and your car home safely, like StearClear and this National Directory of Designated Driver Services.

The verdict: A glass of wine or a beer over a long dinner probably won’t put you over the proposed legal limit of 0.05 BAC—depending on your weight, how big/strong the drink is, and other factors. But of course the safest personal policy is not getting behind the wheel after any drinks. And if you educate yourself now about the resources available to get you home safely, you should be able to avoid driving yourself there—even if you end up drinking when you hadn’t planned on it. 

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

More from Women’s Health:
Don’t Mix THIS with Alcohol
This Is Your Brain on Booze
Is Your Drinking Habit Deadly?

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5 Reasons to Drink More Water

The general rule of thumb: Eat fiber to keep things, er, moving. Now, though, a new study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology finds that staying hydrated may be more important than eating fiber for staying regular.

Researchers analyzed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data on about 9,000 adults from between 2005 and 2008. The researchers were interested in determining if people who consumed less fiber and liquid had a higher likelihood of…irregularity. And yep, both men and women who had low dietary sources of liquid were more likely to have TMI problems. But—and here’s the shocker—low fiber intake wasn’t associated with the same effect.

Water keeps your body running—it helps regulate your body temperature, keeps your joints cushioned, protects your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, and gets rid of waste through sweating, peeing, and the like, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are a few more reasons to hydrate on the regular:

It could help you lose weight
In a study published in the journal Obesity in 2010, adult dieters who drank a bottle of water before each meal for 12 weeks lost more weight than the dieters who didn’t drink the water beforehand. We’ll drink (water) to that!

It may prevent kidney disease
People who consume the most fluids have a significantly lower risk of chronic kidney disease, according to a 2011 study out of the University of Sydney in Australia.

It can make you run faster—and safer
In a 2011 study, 14 runners completed two sets of laps—one in which they showed up hydrated and got water during breaks, and one in which they had to limit their fluid intake during the run and for 22 hours beforehand. When they were able to get their hydration on, the runners had faster times and lower gastrointestinal body temperatures and healthier heart rates post-run.

It’ll put you in a better mood
In a study published last year in The Journal of Nutrition, mildly dehydrated young women experienced headaches, fatigue, worsened mood, and difficulty concentrating. Yikes.

Ready to drink up now? Make sure you know the real deal on water-drinking myths, then refill your water bottle.

Additional reporting by Caitlin Carlson

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

More from Women’s Health:
Your Best Running Fuel
Sweating the Details
5 Recipes to Help You Stay Hydrated

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Get This: It’s OK For Breast Cancer Patients to Drink Moderately

Check out the list of links that should be on your radar today:

If anyone deserves a glass of wine, it’s people who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily, drinking moderately after being diagnosed doesn’t appear to affect survival odds, according to a new study. [NYT]

Even more incentive to hit the kettle bells: Pumping iron may help keep your blood sugar in check. [TIME]

Don Jon, the movie directed by, written by, and starring Joseph Gordon Levitt now has an official release date. Only 189 days until October 18! [Vulture]

If you weren’t afraid of flying before, you will be now: Earlier this week, a pilot and IT consultant demonstrated how easy it is to hack into air traffic control systems and remotely hijack a plane. [NPR]

A full 83 percent of Americans say their jobs stress them out—that’s up 10 percent from last year. [Huffington Post]

Lady Gaga’s Twitter throne was wrongly usurped: Nearly 18 million of Justin Bieber’s followers are fake, according to a new report (Gaga has 19 million legit followers). [BBC]

Taco Bell wants to beef up its menu’s nutritional profile—but not until 2020. [USA Today]

The latest trend in baby keepsakes: Jewelry made with processed breast milk. Whatever happened to bronzing the kid’s shoes and calling it a day? [CBS]

Otherwise health-conscious Gwyneth Paltrow says she smokes once a week. We expected better of the Goop guru. [USA Today]

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

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Drink to Your Health!

Health-boosting booze might sound like an oxymoron, but numerous big-city mixologists have been stirring up nutrition-packed cocktails to keep their clientele flu-free. Okay, so you can’t exactly ward off a cold with a martini, but opting for drinks with good-for-you ingredients beats loading up on sugary sweeteners (or worse—diet cola). And if you’re hitting up happy hour anyway, you may as well get a boost of vitamins with these cocktails infused with fresh fruits and veggies, says Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD, author of The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories & Fat Disappear – with Fiber! Interested in shaking up some immunity-boosting, low-cal drinks of your own? Here, Zuckerbrot explains how:

Blueberry Lemonade Cocktail
Serves 2

Calories per serving: 140
3 ounces Absolut Berri Acai Vodka
1 cup blueberries
2 cups water
1 packet Crystal Light Pure Lemonade
Juice of one lemon
1 cup ice
How to mix it: Combine all ingredients in blender, and blend until smooth.
Health benefits: Blueberries and lemon juice both contain antioxidant-rich vitamin C which keeps cells healthy and wards off disease. Bonus: The blueberries add a sweet flavor without adding excess calories.

Raspberry Orange Sunrise
Serves 2
Calories per serving: 140
3 ounces vodka
1 packet crystal light pure tropical blend
½ cup fresh raspberries
½ cup fresh oranges
Ice
How to mix it: Combine all ingredients in blender, and blend until smooth.
Health benefits: Raspberries and oranges are rich in vitamin C, which can help shorten the duration of a cold by about a day, says Jane Higdon, a research associate at Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University in Corvallis.

Carrot and Celery Cooler
Serves 2
Calories per serving: 100
10 medium carrots
2 stalk celery
2 inch peel fresh ginger
2 oz vodka
How to mix it: Combine all ingredients in blender, and blend until smooth.
Health benefit: Fatigue-fighting ginger wards off cold and flu bugs and the beta carotene enhances immune system functioning.

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail
Serves 4
Calories per serving: 180
2 cups crushed ice
1 cup 100% pomegranate juice
½ cup diet ginger ale
½ bottle champagne or sparkling wine
Garnish with Pomegranate seeds
How to mix it: Combine all ingredients in pitcher and pour evenly into glasses. Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
Health benefits: Pomegranates are rich in disease-fighting antioxidants. Bonus: The diet ginger ale and Champaign add fizzy fun while keeping calories to a minimum.

photo: Minerva Studio/Shutterstock

More from Women’s Health:
Try It: The Look Better Naked Cocktail
6 Low-Calorie Cocktail Recipes
The Health Benefits of Alcohol

To find out how to suppress your hunger hormone, buy The Belly Fat Fix now!

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Put Down That Energy Drink!

Tempted to recharge by downing an energy drink? Look elsewhere for your “wings,” according to experts who’ve studied the effects of these beverages. There’s little evidence that energy drinks have unique performance-enhancing powers — beyond making you high on potentially harmful amounts of caffeine.

Energy drinks like Monster Energy, 5-Hour Energy, and Red Bull are already under scrutiny by the F.D.A. for their possible involvement in a slew of reported deaths and injuries. Whatever that inquiry turns up, it’s clear that the caffeine levels in these potables are dicey. “They’re unregulated, so there can be any amount of caffeine, and that varies tremendously from one brand to the next,” says Laura Juliano, PhD, an associate psychology professor at American University who studies caffeine addiction. One serving can contain as little as 50 mg of caffeine or as much as 500 mg or more, she says. But you’d have no way of knowing, since energy elixirs, unlike soda, aren’t required to list caffeine levels on their labels or to put a cap on total caffeine content. And if you don’t know how much of the drug you’re consuming, you’re at risk of misattributing its side effects – like sleeplessness, jitteriness, and anxiety – to other sources. “Too much caffeine in general can lead to a host of different types of problems,” says Juliano.

Meanwhile, several experts have spoken out about the other, more exotic components of energy drinks, citing a disconcerting lack of evidence that they have any effect on energy at all.

In a recent meta-analysis published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, researchers evaluated 32 different studies of the ingredients commonly found in energy drinks, including taurine – the much-touted chemical that supposedly gives Red Bull its turbo charge. They reported an overwhelming lack of proof that any of these additives – apart from caffeine – have an impact on physical or mental performance. Basically, caffeine seems to be the sole engine behind these drinks. “Any drink that has the equivalent caffeine will have a small boosting effect at a much lesser price,” says Robert Pettitt, PhD, an associate professor at Minnesota State University in Mankato who has studied the effects of Red Bull. More research is needed, but it appears that energy drinks may just be vehicles for high amounts of America’s Favorite Stimulant.

But don’t despair – there are still plenty of ways to beat an energy dive, says Elizabeth Somer, R.D., author of Eat Your Way to Sexy. And you don’t have to rely on a snake oil elixir to do it.

Put down the can and pick up one of these all-natural energy boosters instead.

A power breakfast
Invest early in a solid breakfast, says Somer, and the returns in mental and physical acuity will be great. “There’s nothing you can do later in the day that will give you the energy you would have had if you’d stopped and eaten breakfast,” she says. And the payoffs are manifold: “We know that people who eat a decent breakfast have more energy, think more clearly, are less prone to food cravings, and sleep better.” Just make sure your kickoff meal has three key ingredients: a whole-grain carb, a protein, and a colorful fruit or veggie. Somer recommends downing a fruit or veggie smoothie with non-fat milk or soy milk (for protein) and some wheat germ sprinkled in (for that high-quality carb). A bowl of oatmeal with non-fat milk and blueberries also does the trick.

Bananas
It’s time to get on the boat (the banana boat, obviously) where this fruit is concerned. Advantages: it’s highly portable (pack one in your purse or gym bag), you don’t have to wash it, and you can eat it in the middle of a workout. A time-honored fuel source for athletes, the banana contains antioxidants, carbs, and fiber that keeps you full on very few calories. It also contains potassium, a key ingredient for sustained energy. “Low potassium will cause fatigue,” says Somer. In fact, a recent study conducted at Appalachian State University showed that chowing down on bananas was just as effective as sipping a sports drink during a workout. Somer recommends the following power pairing: bananas and almonds. “You want some protein to keep your blood sugar levels balanced out,” she says, and almonds (or any nut) will do the job.

Salmon
You’ve heard its praises sung before, on points as various as preventing dementia down the road to making your hair shiny. As it turns out, preliminary research suggests that consuming this particular fish can reel you back from the edge of an energy dip. “The omega-3’s might aid in energy,” says Somer. She recommends ingesting at least 220 mg of DHA — a type of omega-3 fatty acid — per day. To get your dose, try eating smoked salmon on a bagel. For vegetarians, DHA-enriched foods like soy milk will get the job done.

Kale
It’s America’s green veggie du jour, and for good reason. In addition to being loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, kale packs a mineral wallop. “Kale is a great source of iron,” says Somer. And low iron levels can be a common cause of fatigue, particularly for women. “It’s really common for women to be low on iron,” she says, in part because the coffee and tea we drink can block iron absorption from meals. To make sure the iron from the kale gets fully absorbed by your body, chase it with a booster food. “Because the iron isn’t very well absorbed, you need to pair it with a vitamin C-rich food, like a glass of OJ,” she says. Or you can opt for a lean meat instead: “Have a little bit of meat in your spaghetti sauce, along with your sauteed kale on the side.”

Water
It’s not the sexiest of stimulants, but staying fully hydrated can keep you functioning at optimal levels throughout the day. “Most people are walking around mildly dehydrated,” says Somer. If you’re drowsy, you may just be thirsty, since fatigue is a symptom of dehydration. Sip slowly instead of chugging down two or three glasses at once: the fluid is more likely to absorb fully when you space out your intake. And don’t obsess about the 8-glasses-a-day rule, says Somer. The amount you need varies from person to person. “Drink enough water that your urine is pale yellow,” she says. A bright yellow hue means you should up your dosage.

Nuts
Pop of handful of your favorite type of nut to keep from feeling knackered. Somer swears there’s not much of a difference in what kind you choose — almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and peanuts will all do the trick. They’re all high in healthy fat, protein, and fiber that will help regulate blood sugar levels, so you don’t crash. Just be careful about serving size: 1 oz. of nuts is plenty, since nuts are high in calories.

Watermelon
When you’re feeling sluggish, spring for a fruit salad that contains watermelon. It’s like pressing the restart button on your day. This magic fruit contains sugar, Potassium, Vitamin C, and Beta Carotene to inject some instant pep in your step. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to stay hydrated. “A slice of watermelon has the same amount of fluid as a glass of water,” says Somer. It also happens to be delicious.

Coffee

Clearly, hitting the java works. But you should know that limiting your intake is key to reaping coffee’s invigorating benefits. “If you’re drinking caffeinated stuff all day long, you’re actually fueling your fatigue,” says Somer. That’s because you’re likely to experience a slump every time the effects of the drug wear off. “What’s been found in studies is that when people who have been relying on numerous cups of coffee all day long, cut back to three cups, they actually have more sustained energy throughout the day,” she says. Somer recommends sticking to just 1 or 2 8-oz. cups of coffee per day, ideally in the morning. “Coffee can linger in the system for up to 10-12 hours,” she says. That means that if you drink it too late, it may be messing with your sleep cycle. And you don’t want to skimp on the most important energy ingredient of all: shuteye.

Dark chocolate
As if you needed another excuse to indulge, chew on this: a dose of the dark stuff can perk you up. Chocolate contains natural caffeine, so nibbling a few pieces will keep you zipping along splendidly. Just make sure the chocolate is at least 70% dark cocoa (for the antioxidants) and avoid Dutch-processed varieties, which also lack those nourishing compounds. Because chocolate is also high in sugar, take steps to avoid a subsequent energy crash. “Have a small amount at the end of a meal rather than all by itself,” says Somer. “You’re less likely to get that blood sugar spike, and you’re less likely to overeat.” You don’t have to tell us twice.

photo: Thinkstock

More from WH:
Boost Your Energy
Natural Fixes for Low Energy
Energized in 60 Seconds or Less

Send your Metabolism Sky-High and Drop 15 Pounds in Six Weeks!

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The Drink That Lowers Your Risk of Diabetes

 
Worried about your blood glucose levels? Have some tea. In a study of 42 countries, researchers found that higher black tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

Researchers looked at countrywide sales of black tea and compared that data with rates of respiratory, infectious, and cardiovascular diseases, in addition to cancer and diabetes, as reported by the World Health Organization’s World Health Survey.

The research, published online in the journal BMJ Open, found that on average, a population that consumes double the amount of black tea compared to another country about 25 percent fewer cases of diabetes. There was no association with black tea consumption and the other four health indicators.

Swiss research agency Data Mining International and Unilever, the makers of Lipton tea, carried out the study.

“This study is very interesting because it confirms a lot of different, small studies on the health benefits of black tea,” says Ariel Beresniak, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Data Mining International. Previous studies have pointed to evidence that black tea has antidiabetes properties, including that it improves pancreatic function in glucose-intolerant rats.

Want to get the most out of your cup? Follow our guide for the optimal water temperature and steeping time for five kinds of tea.

photo: Zoonar/Thinkstock

 
More from WH:
Best Teas: 5 Unbeatable Brews
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Tasty Iced Tea Cocktails

The Women's Health Big Book of Yoga Get a Sexy Yoga Body! Discover the power of yoga to tighten, tone, and calm. Buy The Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga today!
 
 
 
 

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The Drink That Boosts Your Stroke Risk


You already know that drinking sugary beverages is bad for your waistline. Now there’s evidence than it can lead to serious trouble in your head, too. Turns out drinking soda regularly can seriously increase your risk of stroke, according to a study from Japan.

Researchers tracked the soft drink consumption of 39,786 Japanese men and women over 18 years, and found that women who reported drinking about one sugary soda per day were 83 percent more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke than women who consumed soda infrequently or not at all. More troubling: Among women who reduced their soda intake during the first three to nine years of the study, their risk of stroke didn’t diminish. Meaning: Your soda habit can be deadly for years in the future, even if you quit cold turkey today.

Ischemic stroke occurs when clogged arteries prevent blood from getting to the brain. In high consumption, sugar can contribute to blood vessel damage and plaque build-up that narrows or completely blocks arteries. However, soda could pack a one-two punch: First with the sugar, and second with the caffeine, which can potentially lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure—another risk factor for stroke, says James Conners, M.D, stroke neurologist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicaco.

More research is needed to determine the culprit of the study’s findings—particularly because researchers found that the association between sugary drink intake and stroke risk was insignificant among men. “We’d also need to look at the other habits of people drinking high-sugar soft drinks on a daily basis. People who don’t drink soft drinks might have better diets and exercise more frequently,” Connors says.  

According to the National Stroke Association, as many as 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by lifestyle changes. And if you already stay away from soda, you’re not off the hook. Moderate your intake of all sugary drinks to reduce your risk of stroke. Want to know what sugary drinks to avoid (or totally cut out of your life)? Check our chart, below:

Beverage (typical serving size)

Grams of sugar

Regular Coco-cola (12 oz)

39 g

Regular Sprite (12 oz)

39 g

Tropicana Orange juice (8 oz)

22.5 g

Mott’s Apple juice (8 oz)

28 g

Ocean Spray Cranberry juice (8 oz)

36 g

Chocolate milk (8 oz)

24 g

Minute Maid Lemonade (8 oz)

27 g

Monster Energy Drink (16 oz)

54 g

Vitamin Water Revive Fruit Punch

13 g

Red Bull (8.3 oz can)

27 g

Regular Snapple Peach Iced Tea (8 oz)

24 g

photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock

More from WH:
Is It a Headache or a Stroke?
Best Supplements to Reduce Your Stroke Risk
18 Self Checks Every Woman Should Do

The Women's Health Big Book of Yoga Get a Sexy Yoga Body! Discover the power of yoga to tighten, tone, and calm. Buy The Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga today!

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