Infused Water 101 and How to Make It

It’s clear, odorless, and tasteless, but most living creatures cannot exist without it. Water keeps us alive. It keeps our cells hydrated and plump. It also flushes out toxins to naturally cleanse our insides.

Hydrating year-round is essential. However, in the spring, the weather is warmer, and you spend more time outside, sweating more and requiring even more hydration. This gets worse in the summer.

There are times when drinking water gets redundant and boring. Instead of buying vitamin water, flavored sparkling water, or sports drinks, why not try to incorporate nature’s good stuff, all in one place, right in your own home?

What Is Infused Water?

Infused water has the added benefits of drinking good-for-you water, plus the added taste of whatever you choose to add, which can be fruits, vegetables, herbs, or spices, or a combination of 2 or 3 things together. All without any added sugar or calories.

You can soak cut pieces of fresh fruit or raw vegetables in a container. Fresh and organic is your best choice. Frozen fruits won’t release enough juice and will more likely to sink to be bottom of your bottle; this also goes for dried fruits. You can also add herbs and spices that are both colorful and fragrant, along with the added health benefits that will permeate into your water.

Some fruits contain strong flavors — such as pineapples, lemons, and oranges– and can be reused. Just wait until the bottle is halfway empty, then add more water.

Here Are a Few Examples of Fruits, Veggies, Herbs, and Spices that You Can Use:

Fruit

• Citrus
• Berries
• Melons
• Tropical fruits
• Stone fruits

Veggies

• Cucumbers
• Celery
• Peppers
• Carrots

Herbs

• Mint
• Basil
• Cilantro
• Thyme
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Sage

Spices

• Cinnamon sticks (ground cinnamon won’t saturate into the water, it’ll just float to the top)
• Ginger

How To:

• You have to first release the natural oils and flavor in the fruits, veggies, herbs, or spices. You can do this by either slightly mashing up the fruits and vegetables using a wooden spoon. You can also break up the herbs or spices just a little bit. For citrus fruits, don’t forget to peel it before adding it to the water to avoid a bitter taste.
• Then, add filtered water or sparkling water. For best results, you can use room temperature water or cold water: boiling water will break down the enzymes and nutrients in the added ingredients. Stir and leave the container for at least 3 – 4 hours to get the most taste and color. You can leave it in the fridge or at room temperature. However, don’t leave the added ingredients in for more than 24 hours because many will start to decompose. Delicate fruits, such as berries and melons, tend to decompose faster.
• You can safely store your water in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Benefits

Are there really any added benefits to infused water besides taste and color? Yes! Almost 20% of nutrients in the added ingredients get blended in and absorbed by water.

Therefore, if you add strawberries or lemons, you’re drinking water that’s rich in vitamin C, and if you add basil or mint to your strawberries, you get the added benefits of minerals, such as iron, which helps the body absorb vitamin C, as well as antioxidants.

Other Benefits to Infused Water:

• Protects organs and helps them function well
• Normalizes blood pressure
• Keeps skin soft and younger-looking, helps regulate collagen-production which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
• Helps regulate body temperature
• Helps offset dehydration
• Lubricates joints and decreases risk of swelling and inflammations
• Helps keep bowel movements regular and reduces the risk of constipation
• Cleanses the liver
• Transports nutrients and oxygen
• Curbs your hunger and helps you lose weight
• Reduces muscle fatigue
• Boosts focus and concentration abilities and helps you think more clearly
• Helps prevent kidney stones

Since the surgery, I have had to increase my water intake by leaps and bounds.  I have been purchasing flavored infused water but that will be expensive to continue over the long haul. I want to try different combinations such as watermelon and cucumber or blueberry, lemon, and mint.

Have you infused your own water? What combinations did you try?

Loving Life—The Reboot!

Dominique