Iām sure many of you find yourselves “forgetting” to drink water until you’re really thirsty. After all, water is plain and flavorless, right?
Why not enhance your water by adding some ingredients to give it a hint of flavor and boost its health benefits? Yes, even water can become healthier!
Let’s explore some ways to make your water both healthy and tasty!
Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining good health, yet many of us often forget to drink enough water until we feel parched. The taste, or lack thereof, can make it easy to overlook. However, by infusing your water with a variety of natural ingredients, you can not only enhance its flavor but also boost its health benefits. Here are some simple and effective ways to transform your everyday water into a delicious and nutritious beverage.
Here are 10 ingredients you can add to water to enhance its health benefits:
- Ginger
Ginger helps flush out harmful toxins from the body and has high antioxidant properties that can improve skin health and even out skin tone. Drinking ginger water can also lower bad cholesterol levels, aid in weight loss, and reduce mild pain and inflammation.
To make ginger water: Boil 2 tablespoons of grated ginger in two liters of water and simmer for 10 minutes. Drink this throughout the day. Alternatively, add 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger juice to 2 glasses of water, simmer for 5 minutes, strain, and enjoy.
- A Herbal Tea Bag
Herbal tea can boost immunity, reduce the risk of heart disease, improve digestion, enhance skin health, and protect against diseases.
To make herbal tea water: Add 3 to 4 herbal tea bags to a liter of hot water and steep for 10 minutes. Strain, cool, and store in a bottle for whenever you want to enjoy it.
- Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice can reduce GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), balance blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and detoxify the body.
To make aloe vera water: Mix 20 ml of fresh aloe vera juice into a cup of water, stir, and it’s ready to drink.
- Honey
Honey water boosts digestion, keeps you hydrated, enhances immunity, aids weight loss, improves skin health, and heals sore muscles due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
To make honey water: Add 1 teaspoon of honey to a cup of warm water and it’s ready to drink.
- Lemon Juice
Lemon water aids digestion, maintains weight, prevents kidney stones, and has cancer-fighting properties. Rich in vitamin C, it also strengthens immunity.
To make lemon water: Squeeze half a fresh lemon into a cup of water, mix well, and consume in the morning.
- Cucumber
Cucumber water hydrates the body and aids in weight loss. It has properties that help prevent cancer and other illnesses and promotes better skin and bone health.
To make cucumber water: Add around 15 to 20 quarter-inch cucumber slices to a liter of water. Let it sit for an hour or overnight. Drink throughout the day and enjoy the cucumber slices too.
You can also blend half a cucumber with half a cup of water and some mint leaves for a refreshing summer drink.
- Mint
Mint water naturally detoxifies the body while providing natural electrolytes. It also prevents and treats constipation, aids digestion, and prevents bloating.
To make mint water: Add 20 mint leaves to a liter of water and boil for 10 minutes (simmer on low heat). Strain, cool, and enjoy whenever desired.
- Turmeric
Turmeric water suppresses appetite for weight loss, boosts metabolism, treats colds and flu, and builds immunity.
To make turmeric water: Add 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper to a cup of warm water. Mix well and it’s ready to drink.
- Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, keeping the skin healthy. They are high in fiber, aiding digestion, promoting weight loss, and reducing the risk of diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer, etc.
To make chia water: Add 2 teaspoons of chia seeds to a cup of water. Stir well and let sit for 20-30 minutes for the seeds to swell. Consume with the seeds.
- Saffron
Saffron is rich in antioxidants that keep the body healthy and reduce the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
To make saffron water: Place a few strands of saffron in a cup, cover with hot water, close the lid, and steep for at least 10 minutes.
