At a recent music concert almost 30 people were treated an illness that was determined to be related to alcohol and 11 people were taken to the hospital. The drink Four Loko has also been involved of deadly automobile accidents. As a result of a study that was conducted and these incidents, the FDA sent warning letters four of the companies that manufacture the mixed beverage.

The drink Four Loko is the equivalent of 8oz. of coffee and four beers. Some health officials believe that the drink is dangerous since the caffeine hides the level of intoxication, which makes it hard for the consumers to determine their limit accurately. There have been some scientific studies that have even determined hat caffeine is a food additive that is unsafe.

Despite what the experts say, the makers of Four Loko disagree. Phusion Projects say that the drink Four Loko is no more concerning than consuming Red Bull and Vodka. They still believe the combination of caffeine and alcohol is safe. Further, popular drinks such as Irish coffees and rum and colas that have been consumed responsibly and safely or years should be facing the same scrutiny that the drink Four Loko have faced recently.

The FDA website recently reported that of the combined use of alcohol and caffeine among college student in the United States, the use was as much as 26%. Most college students don’t see a problem with the energy drink. Although the statement by Four Loko CEO might be considered by some to be a valid argument, others believe they see the social influences combined with the science of their product as a larger possible risk than any other mixed drink.

There are reasons for optimism about the possibility of renewed double-digit growth in yogurt drinks, including new flavors and packaging, rising interest in pro-biotic health benefits, lower cholesterol, high Omega 3 benefits, and the extension of the category into new forms of hybrids, including combinations with energy drinks.

Yogurt drinks have considerable health benefits, and are beneficial to the digestive system. It may offer the perfect balance of taste, convenience, nutrition and, increasingly, specific functionality to demanding individuals.

Yogurt drinks has benefits that the widely used milk don’t have: people who are moderately lactose-intolerant can’t drink milk but they can enjoy yogurt drinks without ill effects, because the lactose in the milk precursor is converted to lactic acid by the bacterial culture.

Yogurt healthy drinks are known and consumed all over the world. Being rich in potassium, calcium, protein and B vitamins, including B-12, they help stabilize the immune system, digest lactose and dairy products, and are a good source of iodine.

Yogurt drinks have uses for a variety of gastrointestinal conditions, and in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. They also promotes good gum health because of the pro-biotic effect of lactic acids present in them.

Calcium, which is found in dairy products, needs to enter the body in an acid matrix or your body will not absorb it. So the lactic acid of yogurt, as a part of yogurt drink, is a perfect medium to maximize calcium absorption. Eight ounces of yogurt will equal 400 mg of calcium, 25% more calcium than you would get out of a glass of milk.

Another benefit is helping banish the belly. The same calcium stops the production of the hormone cortisol, which increases your stomach fat. So, if you want to look and be fitter then several tubs of fat-free yogurt drink a day can help you a lot.

As the summer is coming, some good, refreshing, yogurt drink recipes will be helpful. One of the most successful is the Spiced Minty Yogurt Drink. You will need: 1 cup of yogurt, ½ cup water, 12 mint leaves, ½ teaspoon cumin, 8 ice cubes, and some whole fresh mint leaves for garnish.

Firstly blend together all the ingredients except the ice cubes and whole mint leaves for the garnish until smooth in a blender. Then add the ice cubes and continue to blend another 20 to 30 seconds. Pour into glasses and garnish with the mint leaves. Then you can serve this refreshing, stimulating, and healthy yogurt drink.

Another Strawberry Yogurt Drink can be made of 1 cup of sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup of low-fat yogurt, 1/2 banana, 3 ice cubes, and some strawberries for garnish. Combine the sliced strawberries, yogurt, banana, and ice cubes in a blender. Process until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish each serving with a strawberry. It is very simple and tasty.

And if it’s a really hot day, then you can try this one: Cooler-Than-Cool Yogurt Drink. Blend 2 cups of plain low-fat yogurt, 1 small, diced ripe avocado, 2/3 cup cubes seeded pared cucumber, 5 fresh mint leaves, 1/2 teaspoon celery salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper sauce, and 1 cup of cracked ice, except garnish. This really cool recipe will be good for 4 servings.

Yogurt drink is a healthy drink. It can be bought or made at home. It is a part of modern diets and always appears on the table of people who do care about their heath. It is tasty and useful and accessible in the same time. So what will you choose when looking next time for a drink?

Protein Drinks are usually associated with body building, endurance, weight loss or supplementation but no matter what is your interest, there is a protein drinks formulated that certainly suits your needs. High protein beverages have now become one of the fastest growing areas of health foods. The best protein drinks is fortified with all the needed nutrients and packed with benefits. It works on beefing up or slimming down, immunity enhancement and boosting endurance.

Our body is capable of making amino acids but not the essential amino acids. Essential amino acids can be achieved by eating quality protein foods. Quality protein foods are based on person’s age, weight, sex, activity level and overall health.

To ensure that your protein drink is nutritious and safe, you can prepare a homemade protein drinks for your family. Make your own protein drink by using protein powder combined with orange or grape juices. A fruity flavor like bananas, peaches and blueberries is great especially for children. Here is a suggested ingredients and procedure that will make a tasty and delicious homemade protein drinks.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of frozen yogurt vanilla flavor or ice cream
• 1/4 medium-size ripe banana, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 pecans, broken
• 1 tbsp of raw or toasted wheat germ
• 1 tbsp protein powder

Direction:

1. Put the frozen yogurt or ice cream, milk, banana, pecans, wheat gem and protein powder altogether in a mixer or blender.
2. Cover and blend them until all ingredients are mix thoroughly.
3. Serve and enjoy!

The main source of protein is the animal meat. However, eating them everyday is not advisable. Meat cannot be digested easily and it contains cholesterol which is harmful to health. Protein Drinks is the best alternative. It will sustain your daily protein requirements and can be digested easily. This is widely used by body builders, weight losers, athletes and people that are always on the go. On the other hand, protein drinks is not exclusively for them, it is for everyone.

There are different kinds of protein drinks available in the stores, supermarkets and online. In purchasing one, see to it that you read the nutritional facts posted in its label. By knowing the nutritional facts you can determine which product is suited to your age, sex, weight and taste. If you prefer to buy them online, there are websites that provide proper information about the product. Visit one of them and choose what best protein drinks are for you and your family.

Though the directions might seem longer than your usual cocktail recipe, don’t be put off: it’s actually a lot simpler than it looks.

Turkish Mint Drink Recipes 

Ingredients:
1 kg raw sugar
600 ml water
300 ml cider vinegar
1 cup fresh mint or spearmint

Preparation:
1 Bring the water to a boil, add the sugar, dissolve and then add the vinegar.
2 Bring to boil again and then simmer for at least 30 minutes.
3 Add the mint, remove from the heat immediately and cover pot with a firm fitting lid. Allow to cool.
4 When cool, transfer to dry bottles along with the mint leaves for storage.
5 Serve with water and ice in the desired proportions. Garnish with a few fresh mint or spearmint leaves.

Lime Mint Iced Tea Recipes

For those of us who love a cup of tea, there’s nothing better in a hot, sunny summer day than a glass of Iced tea. The good thing about it is that you can have any flavors of tea you like made into Iced tea in just a few steps. But there are also some special recipes for more refreshing drinks.

First, the ingredients for the Lime Mint iced tea (enough for 4 people):
- 1 quart boiled water
- 4 tea bags (regular)
- 1 3/4 cups fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1/4 cup of lime juice (preferably, freshly squeezed)

Once the water is boiled, mix the tea bags, mint leaves and sugar in it. Let it steep for 15 minutes and strain out the tea bags and mint leaves. Chill and then mix in the lime juice.
Serve in glasses with Ice.

Chocolate Mint Drink Recipes

This is a chocolate mint drink with milk, ice cream, malted milk powder, and mint flavoring.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chocolate malted milk powder
4 cups cold milk
dash salt
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pint chocolate or vanilla ice cream

Preparation:
In a pitcher, dissolve malted milk powder in about 1 cup of the milk; add remaining milk. Stir in salt, peppermint, and vanilla extract. Chill thoroughly. Pour into glasses and add a scoop of ice cream just before serving.
Serves 4 to 6.

Orange Mint Tea Recipes

Orange mint tea recipe is a drink with orange juice, freshly made tea, and mint leaves, along with lemon juice and sugar.

Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 tea bags
3 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons sugar
4 cups orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preparation:
In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil; remove from heat. Add tea bags, mint leaves, and sugar; let stand 10 minutes. Remove tea bags. Transfer to a large pitcher; stir in orange juice and lemon juice. chill thoroughly before serving.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Try and write if you enjoy it!

More than 40 components isolated from the ginkgo tree have been identified, but only two are believed to be responsible for the herb’s beneficial effects in humans — flavonoids and terpenoids. Flavonoids (such as quercetin and rutin) have potent antioxidant effects. Laboratory and animal studies have shown that flavonoids protect the nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels, and retina from damage. Terpenoids (such as ginkgolides) improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets.

One of the most common uses of ginkgo biloba is to improve memory. Scientifically controlled double blind tests have shown that ginkgo biloba increases blood circulation to the brain, thereby improving the oxygen content of brain tissue and cells. More oxygen to the brain means more clarity, increased ability to focus, increased attention span and a general feeling of being more awake. This is the reason that ginkgo biloba is an ingredient in some energy drinks. There is a special group of healthy energy drinks which based on ginkgo biloba.

Ginkgo is generally safe and non-toxic in therapeutic dosages. Exceeding a daily dose of 240 mg of the dried extract may result in restlessness, diarrhea, and mild gastrointestinal disorders. Those on anticoagulants should have their doctor adjust their dose or should avoid ginkgo in order to avoid over-thinning their blood and hemorrhaging. Ginkgo should be avoided two days before and one to two weeks after surgery to avoid bleeding complications.

Ginkgo biloba is taken orally and can be used in varied forms as tablets, capsules, liquid extracts and dried tea leaves which can be consumed similar to tea. You can drink it with tea. It’ll be tasty and healthy.

Ginkgo biloba tea is for those people who prefer to take it in a tea form. As we mentioned above there are ginkgo biloba capsules, powder and liquids too. But for those who would love to take this herbal medicine in a cup of tea, ginkgo biloba tea is the best way for you. Ginkgo biloba tea is as effective as the capsule, powder and liquid form.

Ginkgo biloba tea goes well with other herb tea too. If you are using ginkgo biloba tea to enhance memory, you can use it with other memory-enhancing herbs such as sage, rosemary and gotu kola. Also you can prepare Ginkgo tea with ginkgo leaf, green tea and jasmine flowers.Ginkgo biloba tea could also be used with hawthorn and lemon balm herbs to promote proper circulation. To relieve stress and anxiety, especially those that involve mental stress, use oats and nettle with ginkgo biloba tea.

Ginkgo biloba tea is easy to prepare and can be prepared with other herb tea for maximum benefit. Ginkgo biloba tea is an exciting, natural and healthy alternative beverage to your usual cup of tea every morning.

But what about non-alcoholic drinkers?

Of course, there can’t be a problem to make any non-alcoholic drink from any cocktail, all the more so non-alcoholic drinks are more cool and refreshing. Let’s discover how to make non-alcoholic mojito!

To make non-alcoholic mojito (nojito) you need:

• Fresh mint
• 1 lime
• 1 packet sugar substitute
• Crushed ice
• 6 fluid ounces lime-flavored sparkling water

Crush a sprig of mint in the bottom of a cocktail glass. Squeeze the juice of one fresh lime into the glass. Add 1 package of sugar substitute, crushed ice, and 6 ounces of lime-flavored sparkling water. Garnish with mint and serve.

Or you can try this variation of nojito (mojito) recipe:

• crushed ice
• 8 mint leaf
• 3 ounces lime juice
• 1 1/2 ounces sugar syrup
• 2 ounces club soda
• garnish with mint

Fill a pint glass 1/3 full with ice, then add mint leaves. Add the lime juice and sugar syrup. Lightly mash the leaves together with the liquid using a muddle stick or wooden pestle, careful not to tear the leaves. Fill the glass with more ice, then add club soda. Garnish with mint, serve, and enjoy!

Very nice, right?

Virgin cocktails are usually made in a similar manner as the traditional cocktails, adjusting the proportions of other ingredients as necessary to fill the same volume, while retaining the overall taste and feel of the drink.

1. Amaretto Stone Sweet Mixed Drink Recipe

• 2 1/2 oz Blanks® Amaretto (One of a range of non-alcoholic and lower-calorie liqueurs produced by Blanks.)
• 2 oz Cherry Syrup
• 4 oz Orange Juice
  Orange juice is one of the most important ingredients (and the most important fruit juice) to have when making cocktails. To get the most juice out of a fresh orange, bring it to room temperature and roll it under your palm against a hard surface before squeezing. Another method is to microwave them on high power for 30 seconds, let stand a couple of minutes before cutting and squeezing them.
• 4 oz 7-Up® Soda
  Ice

Blend with ice.

2. Avocado Milkshake Mixed Drink Recipe

• 1 liter Milk
• 2 – 3 Halved and Peeled Avocados
• 1/2 cup Sugar

Blend on medium for 3 to 5 minutes. (Use sugar, peeled avocado, condensed milk, and evaporated milk, and ice… works. delicious).

3. Banana Grape Smoothie Mixed Drink Recipe

• 2 Large Bananas
• 2 Handfuls Red, Seedless Grapes
• 1 cup Ice
  Ice is essential for all types of mixed drinks, and it should always be clean and clear. Usually you would add ice to a glass before pouring any ingredients into it. This cools the liquids and prevents splashes.
• 1/4 cup Milk

Place the bananas and grapes into a blender and mix until it is a “smooth” liquid. Add the ice and blend until crushed. Add milk, mix until smooth and pour into a hurricane glass. Serve.

4. Black Cow Mixed Drink Recipe

• 2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
• 10 oz Root Beer (A non-alcoholic, carbonated drink, sweetened and flavored with a combination of artificial and natural flavorings).
• 1 tbsp Chocolate Syrup (A sweet combination of unsweetened cocoa powder, corn syrup and sugar, amongst other flavorings).
• 1 1/2 oz Whipped Cream (A type of cream containing sugar and emulsifiers. Whipped cream expands on release from pressurized cans).
• Maraschino Cherries (A sugar syrup coated cherry, dyed red and flavored with almond).

Pour root beer over ice cream and chocolate syrup in a large tumbler glass. Garnish with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. Serve with a straw and a long spoon.

5. Cherry Spritzer Mixed Drink Recipe

• 2 oz 100% Cherry Juice
• 4 oz Mineral Water
  Mineral water is water is considered spring water with a larger amount of dissolved mineral salts, that is, at least 250 parts per million of dissolved salts.There is no unpleasant taste in mineral water, and a neutral odor. Although, despite claims to the contrary, there is no proof that mineral water is any better for your health than tap water.

Pour the cherry juice into the old-fashioned glass filled previously with 3 to 5 ice cubes and add the mineral water. Stir before you serve. You can mix the juice and the mineral water in the fifty-fifty percent relation too, but it is faster energy-delivering and even healthier this way.

The calories in drinks do not stop with the sodas, and fruit drinks you take every day with your meals, but also with the alcoholic drinks you are consuming and with the flavored waters, you might be drinking as well. Look on the label and see what the calories are in each serving, and then look to see how many servings are in that bottle or glass you are pouring.

You will find that many bottles of soda are going to state a 20-ounce drink is one and a half or two servings, and the calories that are stated, are not how many is in the entire bottle. Read the labels, think about how many you drink every day and then if you are taking in more calories than what you should be, change the drinks you are having all the time. Calories in drinks you have every day are vital to keeping yourself on a diet that will help you lose weight.

Pure fruit juices contain a high number of calories per serving but are often overlooked as a contributor to obesity because many contain valuable vitamins and minerals. But when it comes to obesity and weight control, isn’t a calorie a calorie?

The number of calories in drinks sweetened by added sugars compared to those in naturally sweetened drinks is almost identical. An 8-ounce serving of cola, on average, contains 93 calories and fruit punch has 104. The same serving of orange juice contains 102 calories, while apple juice has 107. All these drinks contain similar amounts of sugars.

The most high-calorie drinksLet’s see how some of the most common drinks measure up on the calorie counter. The following beverages are being compared to water (0 calories); coffee and tea (5 calories per 250 mL); 1% milk (110 calories for 250 mL) and orange juice (60 calories in 125 mL).

Coffee Drinks
Mochaccino or iced coffee drinks (300 mL or 10 oz) usually have over 250 calories. The syrup flavor alone has 80 calories and you may want to think twice about the whipped cream. If you absolutely must have your fancy coffee fix, make sure to get it with skim or 2% milk.
The Verdict: Coffee drinks deserve their reputation as an adult milkshake.

Individual juices
Juices sold in convenience stores typically come in 473 mL (16 fl oz) or 591 mL (21 fl oz) bottles. Believe it or not, the calories ring up quickly. A bottle of orange juice is 225 calories and the larger bottle of apple juice is just less than 300 calories. To put this in perspective, that’s more calories than a can of soda. When it comes to drinking juice, one glass to start the day is more than enough.
The Verdict: The sugar and calories in large juices rarely justify the “fruit” status.

Sports Drinks
Some sport drinks come in large “individual serving size” bottles. One brand has almost 800 mL with 250 calories. On the bright side, there is some sodium and some potassium, which may be helpful if you have worked up a sweat in humid weather. This drink also has about 60 ml (4 tbsp) of sugar.
The Verdict: If you need an extra 250 calories, fine. If not, drink water after a workout.

Sweet Fruit Juices
Grape juice and cranberry “cocktail” are two popular beverages, which carry the same calories and sugar as a soft drink. When purchased in 475 mL bottles, there are 290 calories or more. In the case of grape juice, it’s naturally sweet; cranberry cocktail has sugar added to the same level as a soft drink. So although you may think you’re getting a better nutritional value, you may just as well go for a can of soda.
The Verdict: Split a bottle of grape or cranberry cocktail over a few days.

Cocktails
Let’s get right down to the numbers. A Pina Colada rings in at a hefty 260. Rum and eggnog has 330 calories and the trendy chocolatini comes in with a whopping 440 calories. The alcohol, sweet mixes and fat in the coconut mix, eggnog and cream liqueur, all provide extra calories. That’s one thing few of us really need at this time of year.
The Verdict: Enjoy alcohol in moderation and skip the high sugar and fat mixes.

Frozen Carbonated Beverages
Frozen ice mixed with soft drink concentrates make for high calorie drinks. Furthermore, these drinks contain no vitamins or minerals. The beverages have 50 to 100 calories per 100 mL. Since the smallest cup is 500 mL (16 fl oz), the calorie content starts at 250 to calories per drink
The Verdict: A sweet drink is better left as a childhood memory.

How to avoid calories in drinks

• Have diet mixers in drinks.
• Have light beer and lager.
• Avoid sugary and rich creamy drinks.
• If having wine have it with low calorie tonic water or diet lemonade this will dilute the alcohol and reduce the calories available.
• Have fresh fruit juice as a mixer if available.

Alcohol will increase your appetite and this will also contribute to the calories consumed, to avoid this avoid the kebabs and the chips and cheese etc.

The problem is usually not one high calorie drink, but rather the number of high calorie drinks consumed each week. Is it three, five, or maybe more? Think about you how you might enjoy an extra 750 calories per week. Choices could include three of these drinks, something more nutritious, or perhaps a completely different small indulgence. Whatever you decide, I’ve laid out the facts so you can drink to your health.