56 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com WHICH HOT DRINK IS OUR FAVORITE? There’s evidence that for more than 5,000 years, people have been testing, changing and developing all kinds of mixtures and flavors of tea, coffee, apple cider and hot cocoa. Our ancestors drank them for the same reasons we do: They’re healthy, they taste good and they engender that warm, cozy feeling. Which one is our favorite? And what’s our favorite way to drink it? Before casting your vote, consider the qualities of each member of this quartet of popular beverages. COFFEE It has existed for centuries, but, in the modern world, coffee has found its way into concoctions such as smoothies and frappes. If you drink it in moderation, hot coffee can boost your energy, help keep your weight down and even lower your risk of depression. TEA This hot drink comes with a legend about its Chinese origins – and whether a 19th-century English duchess really established the tradition of teatime. An ancient medical wonder, it can help you fight off cancer, improve your blood pressure, sharpen your memory, increase alertness and add a daily boost to your body’s immune system. By L. C. Leach III
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