Latest news with #healthydrinks
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Coca-Cola changes recipe from corn syrup to cane sugar in sweet victory for Donald Trump
Coca-Cola has confirmed it is changing the recipe for its signature fizzy drink after an intervention by Donald Trump. The drinks giant will launch a Coca-Cola in the US this autumn that will be made with real cane sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup. Food firms have scrambled to change ingredients and include healthier substitutes amid Health Secretary Robert Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again campaign. The US President has also pushed for the change, declaring that Coke made with sugar is 'just better'. In a post on his Truth Social platform last week, he said the company had agreed to make the changes. 'I'd like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them – You'll see. It's just better!' Trump wrote. Coca-Cola confirmed the move yesterday as it revealed revenues rose 2.5 per cent to £9.4billion in the three months to June 27.
Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Times
Would you try the coconut ‘cortisol cocktail'?
How will you unwind this evening? Nice cup of tea? Large gin and tonic? Or how about a 'cortisol cocktail', the latest viral sensation that promises to relieve stress without the use of alcohol and has got people on TikTok and Instagram frantically excited. The recipe is available in many different variations online but generally consists of coconut water, orange juice, lemon juice, magnesium powder, salt and sparkling water. It's billed as a potent concoction that apparently restores energy and regulates the stress hormone cortisol. 'You not only will feel 210 per cent happier, your memory increases, stress goes down, and you'll get those hormones in check,' says one gushing Insta post. Or how about: 'You will stop anxious feelings, stop depressive thoughts, regulate blood sugars and sleep better and longer.' • Feeling tired? How to boost your energy to avoid an afternoon slump While becoming '210 per cent happier' would be amazing — imagine! — even if my stress levels were slightly reduced I'd be delighted. So despite my scepticism, I find a recipe that looks doable and set about trying it for myself. I find magnesium citrate powder in the chemist on the high street (£17.99) and purloin some posh coconut water, plus a few ripe oranges and a lemon from the corner shop. It comes to about £20 — about the cost of a fancy cocktail in a bar. I measure out 200ml coconut water, add a teaspoon of magnesium, 50ml freshly squeezed orange juice, the juice of half a lemon, a quarter teaspoon of fine salt, and a few glugs of sparkling water. I mix it up — it's a pretty pale orange hue with a delicate froth — and serve it in a cocktail glass. Twenty minutes later I perhaps do feel a bit calmer, but I've somehow lost my wallet in my own home, my husband is griping about traffic on the North Circular, and my son is using a circular saw in the basement. At this moment, I wish the cortisol cocktail contained diazepam. I seek the opinion of Dr Mithu Storoni, a University of Cambridge-trained physician and neuroscientist and the author of Stress Proof and Hyperefficient. Just between us, I ask her, is it nonsense? 'Actually, I approve of this cocktail,' she says. 'I'd probably take it after exercise or before bed for maximum effect. It's much more calming and much better for your cortisol levels than an alcoholic cocktail, or even a high-sugar non-alcoholic alternative, most of which are really high in glucose syrup. They spike your insulin. They're horrible for you.' • Is my cortisol level to blame for my irritable mood? The cortisol cocktail contains no refined sugar, which is a plus for Storoni. 'I would definitely go for this if I had a cocktail menu in front of me. Coconut water is famous for having a very high amount of electrolytes — potassium especially, and sodium — which are great for hydration. And if you're dehydrated, that can raise your cortisol levels. In the hot summer, if you're dehydrated you are more likely to feel stressed, so having coconut water could help.' There's more. 'I like the addition of a quarter teaspoon of fine salt,' she says. 'For most healthy people who don't suffer from raised blood pressure, restricting your sodium too much can have net negative effects, which include an increase in adrenaline.' Plus, she adds, 'in the summer, when we're all sweating, exercising, at risk of low sodium levels but otherwise healthy, then low sodium can increase your feelings of anxiety and stress.' If this is the case, 'having sodium can lower your stress reactivity and make you calmer'. There's good data on magnesium too, she says. 'Magnesium has a very calming effect. It's been shown to improve sleep in people with insomnia.' In addition, 'combined with vitamin C, it reduced premenstrual or menopausal anxiety in one study'. • As a lifelong insomniac, can magnesium really help me sleep? Can men benefit too? Storoni cites a randomised controlled trial looking at reductions in cortisol concentrations in male rugby players following magnesium supplementation (500mg per day over four weeks — a little more than in a cortisol cocktail). Researchers found 'magnesium supplementation affected serum cortisol levels, most significantly before the game, pointing to magnesium's role in the reduction of stress-anticipating anxiety,' she says. As for the citrus elements of the cortisol cocktail, 'the lemon juice and orange juice both contain vitamin C, assuming they're fresh, and vitamin C has been shown to have an antioxidant effect which can improve your state of stress,' Storoni says. 'Antioxidants are always good for stress because when you have physiological stress you are also increasing oxidative stress at a cellular level, which they will then combat. And coconut water contains them too.' So when these wellness influencers swear this drink is regulating your cortisol, they're not wrong? 'If you get stressed your cortisol level rises,' Storoni says. 'Anything that has a calming effect, reduces your stress reactivity, will end up regulating your cortisol. All those TikTokkers may be on to something.'
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The secret drink fuelling Liam Gallagher's voice on tour after Oasis star vowed to ditch the booze
Liam Gallagher has been drinking apple cider vinegar on the Oasis tour after vowing to ditch the booze. Before the reunion gigs kicked off, Liam vowed to cut alcohol out his diet to keep his voice in check for the stage. After years of drinking heavily on tour in the nineties, Liam prefers a glass of the soft drink. In a picture obtained by The Sun, Liam emerged on stage holding the drink at one of the band's Heaton Park gigs over the weekend. Liam has previously spoke about his love for apple cider vinegar and honey and how it helps his voice. He said: 'I drink a lot of funky drinks. I have this apple cider vinegar, the one that everyone bangs on about. 'Apparently, it's great for everything. Mam has it for arthritis and it's really good for her. 'So I have vinegar, some honey and then I have some turmeric, some cayenne pepper, a squirt of lemon, hot water, stir it round and drink it. 'It's really good for when you get a hoarse voice. I've got a thyroid problem – Hashimoto's disease – so I can get a really hoarse voice. 'It makes you tired and your bones are creaky, but you have this drink and it makes you a bit Jumping Jack Flash.' He added: 'It's very f****** boring, it doesn't get you pissed, but you can have other stuff as well.' Liam and Noel are currently enjoying a five night stint of sold out shows in their home city of Manchester as their reunion tour gets well under way. However it seems the Oasis reunion tour may lead to even bigger and better things with the band reportedly inundated with big money offers to play major festivals next year. With the hype around the Brit pop band greater than ever The Sun have reported that their teams are receiving requests for Liam and Noel to play big shows all over the globe including Coachella and Benicassim. With the hype around the Brit pop band greater than ever their teams are receiving requests for Liam and Noel to play big shows all over the globe including Coachella and Benicassim An insider told the publication: 'If fans thought Oasis were busy, they should see the offers their teams are fielding behind the scenes. 'None of the bids are being accepted at the moment. They're just being stacked up to be discussed at a later date. The focus for Oasis is this tour, and so far it's been a phenomenal success.' They added: 'Any decisions about future performances are a long way off — but some of them look incredibly tempting.' It will be down to Noel and Liam whether they continue following the existing dates, but they are loving being back on stage performing to their loyal fans. MailOnline contacted Oasis' representatives for comment at the time. Oasis' 41 date reunion tour, which kicked off in Cardiff last week, will also see the band head to the rest of the UK, Ireland, Australia, the US and Mexico.
Arab News
09-07-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Ornj' in Dhahran
Tucked between Tamimi Market and a cluster of other eateries, Ornj in Dhahran has been serving up vibrant, health-focused drinks for the past two years, but it's easy to miss if you don't pay attention. The small space focuses on fresh, made-to-order juicy goodness. They specialize in natural juices — no sugar, sweeteners, or artificial flavors — averaging SR17 ($4.53). For group gatherings, there's the juice bag: a dozen different juices for SR135. Smoothies are SR23 each, with options like the pink smoothie (banana, strawberry, milk, honey) or the avo smoothie (avocado, milk, honey, dark chocolate shavings). Dairy-free? They offer the Saudi-made No Moo brand in almond or coconut. We sampled the immune booster wellness shot (SR11) — green apple, cucumber, celery, lemon and ginger. It was light, smooth and refreshing. Other SR11 shots include the flu fighter (orange, lemon, carrot, turmeric, black pepper) and recovery (red apple, ginger, beetroot, lemon). They also serve freshly made sandwiches, including the intriguing turkey with date combo, which I'd like to try on my next visit. The highlight for me was the customizable acai bowl: rich, satisfying and layered with your choice of yogurt or peanut butter. Toppings include fruit, granola, and even tahini halva, for a fun twist I couldn't resist. I was impressed by the assembly on the spot. Ornj is a cheerful, orange-tinged spot for nutrient-packed drinks and light bites, perfect for anyone craving flavor without compromise. Visit them on Instagram @
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Experts warn against viral cocktail that promises to banish stress and exhaustion
A cocktail of fruit juices, sparkling water and vitamin powder might be the key to slashing stress hormones, influencers claim. Social media influencers say they've concocted a viral 'cocktail' that lowers levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers the body's 'fight-or-flight' response. It also regulates metabolism, blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation and sleep, among other functions. But too much cortisol can throw these processes into overdrive, leading to weight gain, heart disease, high cholesterol and infertility. But the 'cortisol cocktail' contains ingredients that could keep cortisol under control with a mix of coconut water, lemon, orange juice, sea salt and sparkling water. The finishing touch is about a teaspoon of magnesium, a mineral that supports nearly 300 bodily processes, including immune health, muscle function and energy production. Doctors told that while the drink's ingredients all support relaxation and mood, they're unlikely to significantly lower cortisol levels on their own. They suggested people with consistently high cortisol should instead focus on more proven strategies like exercise and eating a balanced diet. Dr Charles Carlsen, an OBGYN and chief technology officer at DRSONO Medical, told this website: 'While ingredients in the cortisol cocktail, like magnesium and coconut water, have recognized medical properties — magnesium stimulates a feeling of calm and coconut water is a hydrator — there is not a lot of scientific evidence to support arguments that a given drink lowers stress hormones significantly. 'The nutrients in these drinks may support overall good health but are not a cure-all when it comes to stress hormones.' Dr Jeffrey Ditzell, a psychiatrist in New York City, added: 'There is likely more hype than help with cortisol cocktails.' Cortisol is known as the 'stress hormone' because it increases blood pressure and heart rate to put the body into 'fight-or-flight' mode and raises blood sugar levels to provide energy. Dr Daniel Atkinson, clinical lead at healthcare service company Treated, told 'When you encounter stress, your body raises its cortisol levels. 'Cortisol also plays a part in regulating your blood pressure, immune system, and sleep-wake cycle.' The hormone is produced by the adrenal glands, which sit on top of the kidneys. Too little cortisol can send the body into an adrenal crisis, leading to low blood pressure, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, fever and trouble breathing. But high cortisol levels can slow metabolism, raise cholesterol levels, increase heart rate and blood pressure and disrupt sleep, Dr Carlsen said. 'Concerns arise when someone has persistent symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, mood changes, or unexplained weight changes; especially if accompanied by physical signs like high blood pressure or abdominal weight gain.' Dr Carlsen noted doctors can test for elevated cortisol with blood, saliva and urine samples. Dr Angela Downey, a family physician at The Codependent Doctor, told 'The tests are often done at specific times during the day as your cortisol naturally changes through the day.' One of the cortisol cocktail's main ingredients is about 200 milligrams of magnesium powder, which costs anywhere from $15 to $30 per tub, depending on the size. The recommended daily dose is about 400 to 420 milligrams for men and 310 to 320 milligrams for women. Dr Atkinson said while magnesium deficiency has been linked to high cortisol, 'raising your magnesium levels won't happen instantly by including around 200 milligrams of it in a drink. 'There's no guarantee how much magnesium in a supplement form your body will absorb, so if you know your magnesium levels are low, you'd probably be better off trying to include more magnesium-rich foods in your diet, such as whole grains, legumes and nuts.' Dr Carlsen told this website: 'Over intake of magnesium leads to diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and various gastrointestinal symptoms.' He also added 'excessive magnesium is also not good in kidney disease patients,' as they can't properly filter out magnesium and other nutrients. Even ingredients like fruit juice and sparkling water, Dr Atkinson said, could cause gastrointestinal discomfort, especially in people who have one of these drinks every day. Orange juice and coconut water, meanwhile, are hydrating and packed with inflammation-lowering vitamin C, they can also be high in added sugars, 'which might not be ideal for people with insulin resistance, diabetes or PCOS,' Dr Downey told this website. Dr Carlsen instead points to habits like diet and exercise and tried and true ways top lower cortisol. Moderate exercise like cycling, tennis and yoga, for example, is thought to reduce cortisol by producing mood-boosting hormones called endorphins and improving sleep quality. Foods rich in antioxidants like berries, dark chocolate and green tea also lower inflammation and prevent stress-induced cell damage. Dr Carlsen added: 'While there is possible benefit with the hydrating and refreshing ingredients of a cortisol cocktail, it is not a definitive fix to low cortisol. Evidence-based remedies like a good-health lifestyle and stress relief are superior long-term fixes. 'Always consult with a healthcare specialist should you be concerned with your level of cortisol or general health.'
