Best Beverages for PCOS
Bored of drinking just water? Looking for a little flavor but without the calories and sugar? The Institute of Medicine recommends most adult women need an average of 9 cups of fluid each day. As with food, not all beverages are created equal, for taste and especially health. Here’s our picks for the best beverages to drink if you have PCOS.
Coffee
We recommend getting most of your fluid from water itself, but a daily cup (or two) of coffee has been shown to be good for PCOS. Studies suggest that moderate consumption of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee may lower risk of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance in young and middle-aged women. The phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and lignans present in coffee may improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Coffee is also rich in magnesium, which is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. So go ahead, enjoy your cup of Joe. Just be sure to limit how much sugar you put in it. For more info about coffee and how it can help PCOS, click here.
Tea
You may want to do what the British do and schedule a regular tea time in your day. Studies have shown drinking tea (hot or iced) may help improve PCOS symptoms. Spearmint tea, for example, has been shown to have anti-androgen effects in PCOS and can reduce hirsutism. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties and may even stimulate metabolism. You will see matcha, a type of green tea, used as an ingredient in some of the smoothie recipes in The PCOS Nutrition Center Cookbook: 100 Easy and Delicious Whole Food Recipes to Beat PCOS.
Seltzer Water
A little fizz in your water may be just what you need. Seltzer water is the same as regular old water, but with carbonation. Just steer clear of fizzy water flavored with artificial sweeteners. Even better, infuse your sparkling water with lemon or orange slices, cucumbers, or mint.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to stay hydrated and incorporate PCOS-fighting nutrients into your day. We have a variety of filling smoothies in The PCOS Nutrition Center Cookbook that use whole food ingredients like fruits, vegetables, chia seeds, nut butters, cinnamon and vanilla. View other great smoothie recipes here
Apple Cider Vinegar
While it’s not so tasty on its own, apple cider vinegar might provide some health benefits to women with PCOS. These benefits may include improving insulin sensitivity, fighting bacteria, and helping with digestion. Apple cider vinegar is believed to help to lower blood sugar responses after eating starchy foods. Add a splash (up to 1 tablespoon) of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to your sparking or still water and enjoy with a meal.
Red Wine
Red wine provides antioxidants which can fight oxidative stress. Red wine also has anti-inflammatory properties which can benefit those with PCOS. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the skin of grapes, berries, red wine, and peanuts has shown encouraging results for helping restore hormone balance and fertility in women with PCOS, according to a study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The 1500 mg daily of resveratrol studied was the equivalent of drinking 2 liters of red wine daily. Just be sure to enjoy red wine in moderation due its caloric and alcohol content.
Cheers!
Source
Beata Banaszewska et al. Effects of Resveratrol on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial. J ClinEndocrinol Metab 2016;101: 3575–3581.
Leave A Comment
Comments (11)
Angela Grassi
January 28, 2016 at 2:11 pm
mmmm… looks like delicious ))) Posted by: candice olson lighting | January 14, 2012, 11:54 am – See more at: http://www.pcosnutrition.com/links/blogs/quinoa-the-power-grain.html#sthash.7VvPf9in.dpuf
Anne Katie
October 25, 2016 at 3:34 am
Thanks for your sharing. I really like cookbook you give. It is helpful for people, especially women. I can learn some recipes which are good for health.
Vanesa Bryan
January 8, 2018 at 12:02 pm
I was wondering what kind of juice can someone with pcos have?
Angela Grassi
January 9, 2018 at 5:42 pm
Freshly squeezed juice in moderation.
alexa
January 21, 2018 at 9:27 am
No to juice! It raises your insulin leve ltoo high! Have an orange with a teaspoon of peanut butter,
naima
April 30, 2018 at 4:57 pm
diagnosed 5 years ago; at 18
Sarah
March 18, 2019 at 11:25 am
Best things to drink with PCOS
Cecelia
May 15, 2019 at 7:05 pm
So Green Tea is good for PCOS symptoms, but what kind of green tea? Decaf or caffeinated? Does it matter?
Angela Grassi
May 16, 2019 at 8:54 am
Doesn’t matter. It’s the antioxidants not the caffeine.
Jacqueline D. Williams
June 18, 2019 at 2:58 pm
Can I drink an occasional Canada dry ginger ale like once a month if I drink 2 8oz. Glasses of water afterwards.
Angela Grassi
July 3, 2019 at 2:11 pm
Yes, that is fine!