In the summer heat, it’s natural to crave something cold and refreshing, but those choices often include sugary drinks like soda, juice, or sports drinks. The good news? There are plenty of healthier, hydrating alternatives to choose from.
Sugar-free drinks for summer
Sipping sugary drinks without moderation can lead to cavities, tooth erosion, and other damage to the teeth. They also don’t keep you as hydrated as you need to be during hot summer days.
Try these options instead:
Cucumber-mint infused water
Something about cucumber and mint makes a pitcher of water feel extra posh. Cucumbers have impressive health benefits, such as promoting gut health and strengthening bones. The popular herb mint is known to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This can help fight bacteria in your mouth.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1 cucumber
- 2 quarts of cold water
Directions:
- Wash and carefully peel the skin from the cucumber.
- Slice it into thin circles.
- Put the mint leaves in the pitcher. Use a wooden spoon to gently mash and stir to help release flavor.
- Add the cucumber slices and water.
- Stir and chill in the refrigerator until cold. You can strain the water or pour it into glasses and serve as is.
Pro tip: Customize this with other yummy flavors such as watermelon, dragon fruit, or small amounts of lemon juice for a variety of sugar-free drinks.
Sugar-free frozen strawberry lemonade
Strawberries are high in vitamin C and are in season during the summer months. This sugar-free frozen strawberry lemonade recipe combines strawberries with monk fruit sweetener, which has no calories and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a safe sugar alternative.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup lemon juice*
- 3 cups fresh strawberries (or frozen strawberries with no sugar added)
- 2 cups cold water
- Granulated monk fruit sweetener to taste
Directions:
- Wash and cut the tops from the strawberries. Place in a blender.
- Add liquid ingredients to the blender and blend.
- Add monk fruit sweetener to taste.
- Chill and serve.
*Excess lemon juice can be harmful to your oral health. Be sure to swish with some plain water after drinking to protect your teeth.
Other simple sugar-free drinks that take no time to make include unsweetened iced tea and sparkling water with a squeeze of fruit juice.
Enjoy sugar-free drinks all summer long
Sugar-free doesn’t mean flavor-free. Swapping out sugary summer beverages for these tooth-friendly sugar-free drinks is a simple, refreshing way to support healthier teeth.
Looking for more recipes that are good for your health? Check out “Carrot Smoothie Recipe for Eye Health”.
Leave a Reply