Recipes to beat disease: 4 beverages with healing power

Soy milk has high-quality plant protein and beta-sistosterol, which is thought to relieve symptoms of prostate enlargement.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 large mango, peeled, pitted and cut into wedges
• 500 g (2 c) cantaloupe chunks
• 350 g (12 oz) frozen unsweetened raspberries
• 350 g (1 1/2 c) soy milk
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) fresh lime juice
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) honey
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
• 5 ml (1 tsp) ground ginger

Easy steps

1. Working in two batches, combine the mango, cantaloupe, raspberries, soy milk, lime juice, honey, vanilla and ginger in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.

Nutritional information per serving: 217 Calories, 2.7 g Fat, 0 g Saturated Fat, 6 g Protein, 47 g Carbohydrate, 1.5 g Fibre, 0 mg Cholesterol, 52 mg Sodium

This hot and spicy punch is a nice change from mulled cider. Pineapple is a good source of bromelain, a proven anti-inflammatory that may reduce the risk for stroke and heart attack.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 L (4 c) pineapple juice
• 250 g (1 c) sliced fresh ginger, unpeeled
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) honey
• 1 cinnamon stick, split lengthwise
• 8 whole cloves
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) pepper

Instructions

1. In a medium pot, combine the pineapple juice, ginger, honey, cinnamon, cloves and pepper; bring to a boil.

2. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

3. Strain and serve warm.

Nutritional information per serving: 152 Calories, 0.2 g Fat, 0 g Saturated Fat, 1 g Protein, 38 g Carbohydrate, 0 g Fibre, 0 mg Cholesterol, 4 mg Sodium

Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, this Mexican-style cocoa is rich in calcium and magnesium, both important in controlling high blood pressure.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Serves: 1

Instructions

• 15 ml (1 tbsp) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 10 ml (2 tsp) dark brown sugar
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp) cinnamon
• 0.5 ml (1/8 tsp) nutmeg
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) boiling water
• 250 ml (1 c) low-fat (1%) milk
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp) vanilla extract
• 0.5 ml (1/8 tsp) almond extract

Getting started

1. In a large mug, stir together the cocoa powder, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined. Add the boiling water, and stir until completely moistened and smooth.

2. In a small pot, heat the milk for three minutes over low heat, or until hot. Stir the milk into the cocoa mixture until well combined. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 160 Calories, 3.4 g Fat, 2.1 g Saturated Fat, 9 g Protein, 24 g Carbohydrate, 1.6 g Fibre, 10 mg Cholesterol, 127 mg Sodium

Soy milk provides isoflavones that may help to reduce the symptoms of menopause and offer protection from hormone-related cancers. Banana contributes a healthy amount of potassium, which is known to reduce high blood pressure.

Serves: 1

What you need

• 250  ml (1 c) soy milk
• 1 medium banana
• 10 ml (2 tsp) creamy peanut butter
• 10 ml (2 tsp) honey
• 2 ice cubes

What to do

1. In a blender, combine the soy milk, banana, peanut butter, honey and ice cubes.
2. Blend for one minute, or until thick and smooth.

Nutritional information per serving: 341 Calories, 9.8 g Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 14 g Protein, 53 g Carbohydrate, 2.4 g Fibre, 0 mg Cholesterol, 166 mg Sodium