Staying hydrated is important for our health, but plain water does not pack all the nutrients for our body. Some people believe that adding extra ingredients like certain fruits and vegetables enhances the natural benefits of water.
Also called fruit-flavored or fruit-infused water, these concoctions are simple to make and are a common offering in spas and wellness centers. So, are they really as amazing as they say? Let’s strain out the myths from the facts about this health obsession.
What Is Detox Water?
Detox water is water with infused ingredients like herbs, fresh fruits, or vegetables. Easy to make at home with ingredients you find in a regular kitchen, there are several recipe options, each with its own supposed benefits. Refreshing and bursting with flavor, they make keeping hydrated fun and less of a chore. If you’re maintaining a strict diet, this is the perfect option for you, as it is made by infusing organic, plant-based ingredients in water, not by juicing them, keeping the calorie count to a minimum.
Concocting The Elixir
If you’re looking to get started on making detox water, here are some popular combinations that are oh-so-easy to whip up, with the most common ingredients. If you’re looking for a strong punch of flavor, don’t be stingy with your ingredients! You can also leave the ingredients in for a few hours or overnight to allow them to infuse some more fully, or crush, squeeze or bruise them before adding to water to allow their essence to suffuse the water.
Some popular detox water combos
- Cucumber and mint
- Lemon and ginger
- Blackberry and orange
- Lemon and cayenne pepper
- Watermelon and mint
- Lemon mint and cucumber
- Grapefruit and rosemary
- Orange and lemon
- Strawberry and basil
- Apple and cinnamon
Magic Of Detox Water
1. Helps in weight loss: Drinking water has always helped in weight loss, and detox water is no different. It has been proved that detox water improves metabolism, which helps boosts weight loss.
It is a good substitute for carbonated, fizzy drinks, so it’s great to beat unhealthy cravings.
Drinking ½ liter water drives up metabolism by 30% for the next 30 minutes, so those who follow this practice before meals lose 40% more weight than those who don’t follow this regimen.
2. Improves digestive health: The importance of water cannot be emphasized enough for a well-functioning digestive system and smooth bowel movements. Chronic dehydration can lead to constipation and makes you feel bloated. Regular water intake also helps prevent constipation.
3. Improves mood and energy levels: Infused water not only tastes good but is refreshing too because of the tangy flavors. They present a playful and innovative way to stick to your hydration goals. This boosts your energy levels and keeps your mood upbeat.
At the end of the day, however, regardless of the benefits of detox water, it cannot substitute for the high nutritional value we derive from eating whole fruits and vegetables.
Myths About Detox Water
1. Detoxification: Despite the colloquial name, there is no evidence that detox water actually detoxes our body or alleviates the process. Our body has a built-in detox mechanism, powered by kidneys, liver, and sweat glands, which regulate functions of expelling body waste and perspiration. Detox water may not cause a significant difference, although drinking water does help to eliminate wastes.
2. Helps pH balance: Alkalizing the food is a common trend now since alkaline foods are better for health. However, no study has conclusively proved that the pH of cells can be changed with a specific type of food.
3. Improves skin complexion: People believe that detox water helps in improving complexion as it removes toxins from the body, whereas it is the function of having enough water that hydrates the body and skin and hence improves appearance.
Detox Fads: Follow Or Flush?
1. An occasional liquid diet: This has been a long-standing trend, where people go on a liquid diet consisting of fresh juices and smoothies, lasting anywhere from 3 to 21 days. The drinks are high on nutrients and low on calories, made mostly from vegetables. However, since they are protein-deficient, they should not be consumed indiscriminately. Follow, but in moderation.
2. Liver detox: This kind of diet may sound tempting to health freaks, but in reality, this is entirely unnecessary. The liver is well equipped to detox and cleanse any kind of substance from the body. Instead of a detox, one should focus on eating raw and cooked fruits and vegetables, as these are building blocks that allow the liver to operate appropriately. Definitely flush this one.
3. Food elimination: Another popular diet hack is to eliminate certain foods from the diet. Instead of eliminating foods en masse, it is better to remove a type of food for a week and monitor the improvement, then slowly incorporate that food back. If you notice increased discomfort again, then the food can be eliminated from your diet. Follow with discretion guys!
4. Colon Cleanse: Colon cleanse is getting rid of the unwanted accumulated waste in the digestive tract. There is no rocket science behind this; it can be encouraged by adding enough water and fibers to your diet. This helps in the removal of built-up waste in the intestines and promotes better health. No special cleanse is needed; flush this one!
We leave you with a recipe for a simple detox to get you started on your health journey. Happy healing!
