Fruit infused water is all the rage this season. It can generally be any combination of fruit, vegetables and herbs immersed in cold water, and besides tasting great, has a plethora of health benefits.
By allowing water to soak in different fruit and herbs, you’re increasing the nutritional value of the water. Squeezing the fruit to release juice into the water can also help boost this benefit.
The health benefits of infused water include:
– Improved mood.
– Flushes toxins from your body.
– Naturally boosts metabolism for weight loss.
– Allows the body to release excess sodium in our cells, which significantly reduces water weight.
– Reduces muscle fatigue, and allows you to recuperate faster after working out.
– Keeps you from feeling mid-day grogginess.
– Helps get rid of boredom hunger.
– Wards off diseases and can lower your risk of diabetes, obesity, cold, flu, and heart disease.
– Slows the aging process by fighting free radical damage.
– Dramatically improves digestion; helps get rid of bloating and gas.
Fruit infused water is also more interesting and flavourful to drink, making you more likely to want to drink it. This is important, considering over 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Not drinking enough water can lead to chronic issues like asthma and allergies, bladder or kidney problems, constipation, digestive disorders, headaches and migraines, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint pain or stiffness, skin disorders, sweet-tooth cravings, weight gain and constantly feeling hungry.
When drinking fruit infused water, be sure to drink it at least 20 minutes before a meal, or 1 hour after. This will allow better digestion and absorption of whatever foods you plan on consuming. Also, aim for drinking 3-4 litres of water daily, and if you can, avoid tap water, and drink filtered water, such as spring water (the best) or reverse osmosis.
Try these refreshing combinations of fruit infused water next time you want something to drink. You can let them sit for 10-15 minutes, or make them the night before. For anything with a peel, you can peel it off if making the night before, otherwise you can leave it on if you are going to be drinking it within the hour (this will avoid bitterness). Never leave the peel on if the produce is not organic.
When using herbs, make sure you crush them to release the flavours!
Combination 1: 1 litre of water + 1 lemon, sliced + 1 tbsp. fresh thyme
Combination 2: 1 litre of water + 4 strawberries, sliced + 2 sprigs mint + 4-5 chunks honeydew
Combination 3: 1 litre of water + 1 orange, sliced + 2 star anise + 1 hibiscus flower
Combination 4: 1 litre of water + 1 lime, sliced + 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, sliced + 1 tbsp fresh basil
Combination 5: 1 litre of water + 1 lemon, sliced + 1/2 cup raspberries + 2 tsp. fresh rosemary
Combination 6: 1 litre of water + 1 orange, sliced + 1/2 cup blueberries
Combination 7: 1 litre of water + 1/4 cup sliced cucumber + 1 lime, sliced + 1/2 cup raspberries
Combination 8: 1 litre of water + 1/2 grapefruit, sliced + 1/4 cup sliced cucumber + 2-3 basil leafs
