Infused Water Benefits You Do Not Want to Miss

One of life’s universal truths is that drinking water is an important key to staying healthy. In fact, it’s recommended that an individual drink at least eight cups of water each day to help flush out harmful toxins from the body. However, it’s also safe to say that water can taste a little… * meh * sometimes. That’s why it’s important to give your water a boost so you don’t slack on your daily water intake. Water doesn’t have to be boring – fruit-infused and herb-infused water is far from plain. Plus, there are some delicious and refreshing infused water benefits that will make getting your daily water intake even healthier for your body.

Contents

1. What is infused water?

2. Why is infused water beneficial to the body?

3. Lemon water benefits

4. How to make infused water

5. What can you use in infused water?

Key Points

• Infused water adds more to your experience than just a hint of flavor.
• Infused water, specifically lemon water, can build gut health, and boost metabolism and immunity.
• Try mixing different foods into your water for different benefits and tastes. 

What is infused water? 

Infused water, also referred to as detox water, involves blending various fruits and/or herbs through water infusion to add flavor and added nutrients to the water. It’s an easy and delicious way to add a twist to a regular glass of water without unnecessary sugars or added coloring. Infused water is also a great option for those who would like to move away from drinking juices or sodas without cutting flavor. Basically, it’s a way to make your own vitamin water without any processed ingredients. 

Why is infused water beneficial to the body? 

Let’s face it, when your water tastes good, you’re a lot more likely to drink another seven glasses. Filled with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients, the list of infused water benefits is endless. Not only is it delicious, but infused water helps boost the metabolism while building immunity as well. Plus, for those who don’t like drinking plain water, it can be a great way to stay hydrated.

Other hydration and infused water benefits include:

1. Speeding up metabolism and aiding in digestion
2. Helping prevent muscle cramps and strains
3. Preventing headaches and minimizes illnesses
4. Carrying nutrients and oxygen to the cells (1)
5. Protecting organs and tissues

 In addition to adding more water to your diet, you’ll also be getting vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants from the fruits and ingredients you’re using in your infused water. For example, some fruit infused water benefits include:

• Oranges are full of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system.
• Ginger has anti-inflammatory effects which aids in joint pain, as well as helping with digestion and nausea.
• Cucumbers are rich in antioxidants and fiber.
• Mint may help reduce IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) symptoms.
• Apples are recommended for those with high cholesterol and diabetes (2).
• Blackberries are high in vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and fiber (3).
• Turmeric can ease inflammation and pain.
• Lemons also add numerous infused water benefits such as boosting your immune system and aiding in digestion and weight loss. 

Lemon water benefits 

Let’s be honest, lemon water needed its own paragraph to fully delve into all of the infused water benefits it has. For centuries, lemon water has been a go-to home remedy that is believed to help with the common cold and detox the body (among other benefits mentioned above). 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, lemons contain roughly 18.6 milligrams (mg) of Vitamin C or 21% of the daily recommended intake value (4). As mentioned, vitamin C is a great antioxidant that reduces harm from free radicals. Plus, lemons also provide:

• benefits to gut health
• fiber
• help to reduce blood sugar levels in the body
• prevent kidney stones
• boost heart health

How to make infused water 

Another one of the main infused water benefits out there is that there isn’t just one way to make it – it’s fast, easy, and can be mobile. You can buy specialty pitchers to infuse your water overnight or small water bottles to infuse your water on the go, but there are some certain rules you should stick to if you’re going to make infused water at home: 

1. Infuse your water with your ingredients for at least two hours for the best flavor effects. Alternatively, you can also let your way infuse overnight in the refrigerator.
2. You can opt to either chop up your desired fruits, herbs, and spices or just squeeze the juice of a fruit to a glass of cold or warm water.
3. Speed up the infusion process by bruising or crushing the fruit or herbs.
4. Citrus fruits will be quickly absorbed into water, but recipes with berries or herb combinations can require longer infusion times.  
5. Starting the day with infused water (especially before a delicious breakfast) provides the best health benefits as it boosts your metabolism in the morning.
6. If you’re planning to buy a pitcher/reusable bottle to make infused water, it’s important to choose one made from borosilicate since it’s shatter and chip resistant. Plus, you can use it to infuse both cold and hot water.  
7. When buying a pitcher/reusable bottle, pay attention to the perforated filter near the lib. If you don’t want the particles from the fruits, herbs, or spices you use in your water, opt for ones with smaller mesh filters.

What can you use in infused water? 

Before you make your own infused water recipes from the comfort of your kitchen, here are 10 popular ingredient combinations (5) and some of their benefits to get you started: 

1. Lemon, honey, and ginger (rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, boosts immunity and guards against bacteria)
2. Apple, lemon, and carrots (rich in vitamin C, fiber, and beta-carotene)
3. Strawberry, lemon, and mint (includes vitamin C and increases metabolism)
4. Apricots, raspberries, and mint (amazing hair and skin benefits such as hydrating the skin regulates hair growth; full of vitamin A and fiber)
5. Cucumber and mint (includes vitamin B, potassium and magnesium)
6. Peach, plum, and mint (packed with antioxidants, aids in digestion, protects skin, great source of fiber, potassium and vitamin A)
7. Apple and cinnamon (great for digestion, increased energy levels, good source of flavonoids, lowers blood sugar levels, and reduces cholesterol)
8. Blueberries and mint (full of anti-aging properties, disease-fighting phytonutrients, and potassium)
9. Grapefruit and rosemary (can help detoxify the liver and is a great source of vitamin C)
10. Cucumber, thyme, and limes (amazing for respiratory health, high in vitamin C and antioxidants)

 Written by Selena Ponton

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SOURCES:

1. https://greenerideal.com/food/health-benefits-of-drinking-lemon-water/
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-apples
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-blackberries
4. https://greenerideal.com/food/health-benefits-of-drinking-lemon-water/
5. https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/infused-water-ideas/