So frequently, we write about what not to eat or drink; we talk about the dangers of carbs and different things that have been promoted as being healthy. We love it when we can instead share news of things that taste great and are good for you!
We all know we’re supposed to drink water. Hydration is essential for a healthy body. If you only drink when you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. The problem is, not many of us like water until we’re really parched. When you’ve been out in the sun or have broken a sweat, water can hit the spot. But, many people think it’s boring when they aren’t sweating. Doctors frequently say you should drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day. However, that’s a largely arbitrary number. People leading a sedentary life most likely don’t need that much. People who are very active in hot climates need more. The important thing is to drink water throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty. All fluids count toward your hydration intake. Many believe caffeine negates the power of a drink like coffee to help hydrate you. But, the diuretic nature of caffeine isn’t enough to make a drink do more harm than good.
However, if you are trying to start a healthier lifestyle and are looking to move away from soda, juice or coffee altogether, fruit-infused water might be right for you! Some people refer to it as “detox water.” We aren’t big fans of the word “detox” as it tends to be associated with crash diets and not any health benefits. The fact is, fruit-infused water does not have magical properties. People say it helps you lose weight; while having a full stomach of water may help you feel less hungry and make you less likely to snack from hunger, water itself won’t have you shedding pounds. Having a drink with negligible calories, but a sweet taste, can help you avoid eating something more sugar-heavy. However, drinking fruit-infused water doesn’t mean you should skip your fruits and veggies; the water doesn’t count as a serving of fruit!
You can make fruit-infused water with different combinations like mint and blueberry or strawberry and basil, or you can simply cut up fruit, put it in water and leave it for two hours or overnight in the fridge to let the fruit flavor the water. We think it’s wonderfully refreshing, especially in summer months. One note of caution, some sites claim that the drink has health benefits, like vitamin C from lemon water will help your immune system. While it is true that the fruits themselves have vitamins and minerals, there isn’t much evidence that they pass those properties onto the water and while tea has proven health impacts, there hasn’t been much research on fruit-infused water. Enjoy fruit-infused water as a low-calorie, low-sugar beverage, but don’t bet on any medicinal properties.
