Sipping water all day long can help you stay hydrated. But if you want to add some flavour to water, along with enjoying the goodness of fruits and vegetables, infused or detox water is what you should try.
“If you are looking for a delicious yet refreshing metabolism booster, then detox water is what you should consume because the water is infused with the goodness of minerals and vitamins from fruits and vegetables, which are important for the body to keep it healthy,” says Suman Agarwal, founder of SelfCare India, celebrity nutritionist, mentor for Mrs India Inc and an author.
Fruits and vegetables have anti-inflammatory properties in them which help keep viruses like flu and cold at bay. “Water when infused with fruits and vegetables gives a great boost to your metabolism while burning fat and increasing weight loss,” she adds.
The best thing about infused water is that one can carry it with them everywhere they go. “Serve it at a party, at breakfast, take it with you to office or even to the gym, so that you stay hydrated throughout the day. You can never go wrong with infused water, instead you will reap its benefits every time you take a sip, but the trick here is to drink it regularly and not just because it is trending,” she points out.
The different types of berries are probably the best ingredient that one can add to water. “Strawberry or other berries are known as superfoods that are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fibres because of which just one serving with about eight strawberries provide more vitamin C than an orange,” says Agarwal further mentioning that they not only boost metabolism and immunity, but also curb appetite and aid in digestion.
Strawberries, in particular, are a good source of manganese and potassium which help in regulating blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health. She adds that this low-calorie fruit helps in regulating blood sugar levels, reduces bloating and inflammation in sore muscles, increases HDL (good) cholesterol and also protects against cancer.
Another important ingredient that can be used in detox water is the mighty lemon which is full of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, folate and potassium.
“Because of these properties, lemons tend to boost metabolism which aids in weight loss and also improves immunity, neutralises free radicals, aids digestion, controls appetite and also helps fight bloating,” says she.
Adding mint leaves to infused water is a good idea because though small, mint leaves are rich in antioxidants, minerals like vitamin A, folate, iron and manganese and are known for their cooling property because of which they not only boost your energy but also help in relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) like gas, bloating and stomachache,” says Agarwal. She also mentions that adding mint leaves to infused water is one of the best natural ways to mask bad breadth as they help in reducing the bacteria which causes bad breath and also helps burn fat faster thus making this a great drink for weight loss.
When it comes to vegetables, the easiest and the safest one to use is cucumber. “Since it is a low-calorie vegetable, it is a good source of phytonutrients which have antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits and, most importantly, it also contains vitamin K and potassium in a combination which helps regulate blood pressure and maintains good bone health. So having a natural option than medicines is always good,” explains Agarwal.
Besides cucumber, one can also add ginger to water. Crushing mint leaves and ginger together along with spices like cinnamon and a few herbs will give a refreshing taste to infused water.
While making infused water here are a few things to keep in mind:
Cooling Detox Water
Ingredients
Strawberry/ other berries,
sliced.....½ cup
Cucumber, sliced.....½ cup
Lemon, sliced.....1
A few mint leaves
Chia seeds.....1-2 tsp
Water......1 ltr
Ice cubes (optional)
Method
In a 1 litre jar or bottle, layer the strawberries, cucumbers, lime slices and mint leaves with the ice cubes. Fill the jar or bottle with water. Let it chill for 10 minutes, and then enjoy your drink!
