Detox Water: Healthy Recipes for Weight Loss
Ever drifted in or out of a spa, poured yourself a refreshing glass of cucumber-infused detox water and enjoyed that feeling of rejuvenation from the inside out? Detox water has made its way up the nutrition trend list of recent, featured in health food shops and fitness centers alike. One popular brand, Hint Water, was developed in 2005 when founder Kara Goldin was disgruntled by the sugar content in her children’s juices. She began by making her own, keeping it simple and sugar-free. Such sustainable self-care doesn’t have to be enjoyed at a spa or bought at a store. Get that health club experience at home for less than a buck with our top detox water recipes.
Detox water
Staying hydrated is one of the main pillars of wellbeing and a life necessity, which is why it’s important to find motivating ways to drink enough. You can infuse detox water recipes with anything from fruits, vegetables, herbs, or even flowers. Detox water differs from smoothies or juices as it’s made by infusing flavor rather than blending ingredients or squeezing the juice out. This makes it an excellent replacement for sugar-laden sodas, juices, or sweetened drinks, which are underhand culprits in weight gain.
Does detox water truly detox?
Detox waters claim to help you lose weight, balance the body’s pH level, eliminate toxins, aid digestion, improve skin, and boost immune function. Much like any health claim, we recommend you take a skeptical stance before buying into any clever marketing.
The majority of detox water benefits are a result of the water itself or from the fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs used. Meaning, infusing water will only give you a microdose of the vitamins and minerals. If you’re getting detox water from the stores, keep in mind that the processing can further reduce the nutrient value.
A word on weight loss
Detox water recipes can assist in weight loss efforts but don’t consider them to be the magic solution to losing weight. Substituting sugary beverages with detox water will save you hundreds of calories! For instance, swapping one cup of orange juice for one cup of orange infused detox water (orange slices in water) will mean you cut out around 110 calories.
Staying hydrated can help reduce cravings while trying to lose weight as thirst is often mistaken with hunger. Drinking water can also keep your digestion processes regular (bowel movements) which can prevent that bloated feeling. Dehydration is linked to fatigue, so keep H2Oing for a boost in mood and energy for a better workout.
How to make detox water
You’ll be surprised how easy it is to make detox water from scratch. You can add any fruit, vegetable, herb, or flower. Simply chop or slice the ingredients and add them to cold or hot water. We recommend cold infusions in the summer or for a post-workout refresher, and hot in the winter or in the evenings before bed. The more you drink and the longer you let the ingredients steep, the more intense the flavor will be.
Cold detox water: Slice or chop ingredients and let infuse in water. Refrigerate for 1-12 hours.
Hot detox water: Bring water to a boil. Slice or chop ingredients and infuse in the water for an excellent homemade cup of tea.
Quick detox water: Finely chop or muddle ingredients to release more flavor. Try this healthy muddled mint mocktail.
Lemon detox water
Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps support a healthy immune system when consumed on a regular basis. Research shows that citrus fruits can help improve skin health, partly due to its role in collagen production. To get the most out of your lemon water, squeeze fresh lemon and try to include some of the pulp.
Lemon detox water variations:
Ginger
Orange
Lime
Cayenne pepper
Cucumber detox water
More than a soother of puffy eyes, cucumbers aid in inflammation reduction. They’re rich in potassium, an electrolyte which supports hydration and regulates the amount of sodium retained by the body. Add slices to your detox water and try to eat them after to reap their full benefits.
Cucumber detox water variations:
Mint
Basil
Lemon
Fruit detox water
Fruit has a host of nutrients and minerals, but as most fruits are high in natural sugar, it’s best consumed in moderation. This makes fruit detox water an excellent way to enjoy some of that sweet flavor without the sugary side effects. Get creative with combinations that you and your family will enjoy. These affordable, low-sugar drinks make your water not so boring after all.
Fruit detox water combinations:
Strawberry basil
Blackberry orange
Watermelon mint
Grapefruit rosemary
Orange cinnamon
Apple ginger
Detox water trends: Can they be trusted?
Aloe vera
Aloe vera juice products claim a wide range of health benefits. Aloe is known for topical applications (on your skin) and ingested benefits (drinking it). It eases constipation and may help with blood sugar level regulation, but keep in mind these benefits come from 100% pure aloe gel.
Dandelion
Dandelion tea is a well-known diuretic which can help decrease water retention. Naturopath doctors believe it can detoxify the liver but the only studies available evidence that this is due to the fiber content of the plant which is not available when ingested as a tea.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV, for short) is made from apples, sugar, and yeast. ACV is a product of a fermentation process, similar to alcohol. It has minimal nutritional value, but the benefits lie in its hint of protein, enzyme content, and healthy bacteria derived in its raw, unfiltered form.
Charcoal
Some studies show that activated charcoal can help treat poisoning, reduce bloating, and calm an upset stomach, however, more research is needed, with topical applications not shown to be effective. Activated charcoal may interact with certain medications and nutrients so please consult your physician before trying it.
Turmeric
Curcumin is the antioxidant responsible for turmeric’s medicinal-like qualities. Tumeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory, fighting bacterial infections, improving digestion while also preventing some cancers. You can increase its effects if you consume it with a healthy source of fat and eat it in its pure root form (dried and powdered is fine). A tasty example is our 8fit turmeric latte.
Want more healthy recipes for weight loss or hydrating beverage inspiration? Sign up for the 8fit app, and you’ll find hundreds of nutritionist and fitness coach-approved ingredients tailored to your wellness goal!
