Instead of splurging on unhealthy commercial energy drinks, consider natural alternatives. While you might be tempted to reach for energy drinks as an afternoon pick-me-up, they can be packed with sugar and artificial coloring.

Pineapples and pineapple juice contain bromelain, a combination of protein-digesting enzymes found nowhere else. Historically, people in South America used pineapple to treat stomach ailments and inflammation, states the University of Maryland Medical Center.

The levels of some substances in your blood vary substantially, according to when and what you last ate. To control for variability introduced by eating, you must fast for a specific number of hours before certain blood tests.

Although they are similar in appearance, dried milk powder and protein powder are two very different products. Cost, composition and taste distinguish these foods. While both can be a healthy addition to your diet, knowing the differences can help you determine which is the best for your needs.

Green tea is an infusion of the often slightly withered, unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The infusion process -- basically soaking the tea leaves in hot water -- brings out chemicals with potent antioxidant properties that are in the green tea leaves.

Medical magazines are constantly talking about what pregnant women can and can’t consume. It’s common knowledge that alcohol and shellfish aren’t a good idea for pregnant women, but nobody really addresses whether alkaline water is safe or not.

Although bloating is not a typical reaction to tea, the caffeine may cause this side-effect in rare cases, according to Drugs.com. Teas with artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol or mannitol, may also cause gas that leads to bloating, as can very hot or cold drinks, according to Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Boys are notoriously known for being more active and aggressive than girls, with the phrase “boys will be boys” offered as an excuse for many different types of energetic behavior.

Tamarillo, also known as a tree tomato, is a bright red or golden, egg-shaped topical fruit native to South and Central America. Tamarillos are grown commercially in South and Central America, Australia, Africa and Asia. In the United States, the fruit is grown primarily in California.

If you are trying to curb your caffeine intake, you can still enjoy the experience of coffee by drinking a decaffeinated variety. Before you reach for your next cup of decaf, know that decaf coffee is not necessarily caffeine-free.

A strong black cup of tea sweetened with milk and a spoonful of sugar is a drink that warms the Irish heart. Irish breakfast tea is made from leaves grown in Assam, India. Ideally, these tea leaves should be steeped at 212 degrees Fahrenheit for the characteristically strong brew.

If you have an ulcer or gastritis, consider drinking a glass of cranberry juice. The juice appears to be a helpful natural treatment for both ailments. Ulcers are open sores in the esophagus, stomach or small intestine. Gastritis is the term for a group of conditions that includes a common element -- inflammation.