Nutritionists Share 8 Best Drinks for Healthy Aging

From kefir to green tea, these beverages can support longevity and overall wellness.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Nutrition experts recommend several drinks that can support healthy aging, including kefir, bone broth, herbal tea, coffee, green tea, black tea, and water. These beverages are packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and other compounds that can benefit gut health, bone strength, skin elasticity, and more as we get older. The experts provide tips on how to incorporate these drinks into a daily routine for maximum health benefits.

Why it matters

As we age, it's important to ensure we're getting all the nutrition our bodies need. While diet and exercise are crucial, the fluids we drink play a big role in supporting healthy aging as well. These expert-recommended drinks can help promote gut health, bone strength, skin health, and more, which are all important factors in aging well.

The details

The experts recommend several drinks that can support healthy aging in different ways. Kefir, a fermented milk product, is a probiotic powerhouse that can improve gut health. Bone broth is rich in nutrients like amino acids and minerals that support bone and gut health, as well as skin elasticity. Herbal teas like chamomile and lemon balm can help with sleep and stress reduction. Coffee and green and black teas provide antioxidants that may protect against diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. And staying hydrated with plain water is essential for overall health and energy levels.

  • The experts recommend drinking 4 to 8 ounces of kefir every day, starting with 2 ounces per day and working up to 4 to 8 ounces.
  • The experts recommend consuming 3 to 4 cups of bone broth per week.
  • The experts recommend drinking 1 cup of any flavor of herbal tea daily.
  • The experts recommend consuming up to 2 to 4 cups of coffee per day before 2:00 p.m.
  • The experts recommend drinking 2 to 3 cups of green tea steeped for 2 to 3 minutes, consumed before 2:00 p.m.
  • The experts recommend drinking 1 to 2 cups of black tea daily, steeped for 4 to 5 minutes, before 2:00 p.m.

The players

Adiana Castro

A New York City-based metabolic dietitian and founder of Compass Nutrition.

Shelley Balls

A registered dietitian and founder of Fueling Your Lifestyle.

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What they’re saying

“As we age, gut health can play a huge part in disease prevention, immunity, and even mental health.”

— Shelley Balls, Registered Dietitian and Founder of Fueling Your Lifestyle (Martha Stewart)

“Glutamine is especially helpful in reducing inflammation.”

— Adiana Castro, New York City-based Metabolic Dietitian and Founder of Compass Nutrition (Martha Stewart)

“There is increasing evidence in favor of protective effects of coffee consumption in development and progression of liver disease. Caffeine may stimulate liver enzymes and improve liver function.”

— Adiana Castro, New York City-based Metabolic Dietitian and Founder of Compass Nutrition (Martha Stewart)

The takeaway

Incorporating just one or more of these expert-recommended drinks into your daily routine can provide a range of benefits to support healthy aging, from improved gut health and bone strength to better skin elasticity and cognitive function. Making small changes to your beverage choices can have a significant impact on your overall wellness as you get older.