Ginger beer, cranberry juice, pineapple lend refreshing flavor to alcohol-free sangria

Mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) are becoming the biggest rival to boozy cocktails. Anyone, anytime, anywhere can enjoy these delicious non-alcoholic drinks.

People avoid or reduce alcohol consumption for a variety of reasons, including the negative impact on overall health. Alcohol increases your risk of cancer, liver damage, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, pancreatitis and more.

It also damages body tissue, causing the body to quickly divide cells to heal itself. When cells divide, there is always a chance they will divide abnormally, and that is how tumors form. In addition, it’s the liver that metabolizes the alcohol. One of the molecules that is broken down is a toxic, carcinogenic compound called acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde can damage DNA, the genetic material our body needs to function properly.

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Another consideration? Alcohol impairs the body’s ability to break down nutrients, leading to malabsorption. This can lead to the body missing out on needed nutrients and can lead to stress on cells, potentially creating cell abnormalities that could lead to cancer.

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Today’s easy recipe for Non-alcoholic Sangria Punch is full of fresh fruits that provide nutrients and antioxidants to decrease your risk of cancer.

We’ve combined pineapple with orange, pomegranate and cranberries to create a rich red color. Cranberries are native to North America and have been used for food and medicine for centuries. They can help lower the risk of urinary tract infections, boost immune function and may help lower blood pressure. Pomegranates have been shown in research to reduce some markers for inflammation.

Bethany Thayer is a registered dietitian nutritionist with Henry Ford Health. For more recipes and health information, visit henryford.com/blog. For questions about today's recipe, email HenryFordLiveWell@hfhs.org.

Non-alcoholic Sangria

Serves: 6 / Prep time: 15 minutes / Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

¼ cup fresh mint leaves

1 ½ cups 100% cranberry juice

1 orange

1 8-ounce can of pineapple tidbits packed in 100% juice

¾ cup pomegranate seeds

24 ounces (2 cans) ginger beer, chilled

Place fresh mint and cranberry juice in a large pitcher. Gently mash mint with a spoon or a muddler. Cut orange into half-moon slices. Add pineapple and juice, orange slices and pomegranate seeds to pitcher and stir together. Chill pitcher in refrigerator for 30-60 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Add ginger beer to the pitcher and serve sangria over ice.

From Henry Ford LiveWell

120 calories (4% from fat), 0.5 grams fat (0 gram sat. fat), 30 gram carbohydrates, 1 gram protein, 18 mg sodium, 0 mg cholesterol, 27 mg calcium, 2 grams fiber. Food exchanges: 1 carbohydrate, 1 fruit.