Beginning in childhood, the majority of people are taught that water is important for good health. Doctors tell us we need at least eight cups of water a day to stay completely hydrated and our daily lifestyles have been groomed to meet that need. From water fountains in school, filtered water coming out of a fridge dispenser, complimentary water given at restaurants, or the dozens of bottled water brands for sale at the grocery store, drinking water has become second nature to being human.
Yet for decades, so many of us have put aside water to drink something more flavorful, such as sodas, juice or coffee. But lately, water has been making a comeback, and part of the reason is because people are now infusing their water with fresh fruits and vegetables. Infused water, sometimes called detox water, has been gaining popularity over the last couple of years because of the natural health benefits it can provide. Some of these benefits have been greatly exaggerated on the internet so SEARHC has decided to collect all the facts about infused water and provide a couple of delicious infused water recipes for your enjoyment.
Why is water important?
We all know drinking water is vital to healthy living, but do you know why? It’s because every major system in our bodies relies on water. Water regulates our body temperature, keeping our brains and nervous system from getting too hot or too cold. Our body tissue inside our mouth, eyes and nose are able to stay moist because of water. The magical H2O lubricates our joints and protects our vital organs. It flushes out the toxins and waste in our liver and kidneys and also helps keeps bowel movements regular and prevents constipation. Water plays a big part in breaking down minerals and vitamins our bodies need. Most importantly, water carries oxygen and nutrients to our body’s cells. Without it, our body would not get the nourishment it needs. With the human body being 66 percent water, if we don’t get the water we need, it can really affect our overall health.
What is infused water and why is it healthy?
Infused or detox water is water that has added natural ingredients to enhance the health value of the water. While there are a variety of recipes, the water is typically infused with the flavors of fresh fruits and vegetables, including some flavorful herbs. Infused water is sometimes made by crushing the additional ingredients to release and enhance the water’s taste to be more enjoyable for casual drinking. Since people usually just drink the water and discard the added ingredients, the infused water is relatively calorie free compared to other drinks.
Some websites claim that infused water might also have the added health benefits of the infused ingredients, such as the removal of toxins from the body and rapid weight loss. Although there is no scientific evidence to support these claims, the main unarguable health benefit of infused water is that it gets people to drink more water. Keeping our bodies hydrated is so important to healthy living, that any recipe that encourages to drink more water will have long-lasting health benefits. Remember, when you drink delicious infused water, that is one less surgery soda or sports drink you will consume, and that alone will naturally help you lose weight.
Try these infused water recipes:
Cucumber Mint
- Peel and thinly slice one cucumber
- Add the sliced cucumbers to a ½ gallon glass jar
- Add 8 crushed fresh mint leaves
- Fill with filtered water
- Stir gently and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight
Apple Cinnamon
- Peel and thinly slice one apple, removing the seeds
- Add the apple slices to a ½ gallon glass jar
- Add one cinnamon stick
- Fill with filtered water
- Stir gently and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight
Strawberry Mint
- Cut one cup of strawberries in half
- Add the strawberries to a ½ gallon glass jar
- Add 4 crushed fresh mint leaves
- Fill with filtered water
- Stir gently and place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight