Stay hydrated with these 6 Infused Water recipes! These fruit and herb combinations will encourage you to drink more water.
We all know by now that staying hydrated is important for overall good health.
But honestly, many of us find it difficult to drink more water throughout the day or any at all for that matter. So, if you want to drink more water, at least make it more appealing.
This is where these lovely and tasty infused water recipes come in handy!
It’s often recommended that you drink at least eight glasses of water per day. However, some people think adding extra ingredients to water boosts its health benefits.
Let’s dive right in shall we?
Infused water is water that has been infused with the flavors of fresh fruits, vegetables or herbs. While any combination can be tasty, I chose 6 of my very favorites to share with you all.
Citrus fruit, berries, stone fruit, melons, fresh ginger, and mint are all good choices. You can float the ingredients freely in water or use an infusion pitcher if you have one.
You can make it easily at home in lots of different ways, using any combination of fruits, vegetables and herbs that you like.
Because it’s made by infusing flavor, rather than juicing or blending, it contains very few calories. That makes it a popular drink for many different detox treatments.
Infused water is also often recommended in weight loss plans, especially in place of high-sugar drinks like sugary soda and fruit juice.
How can you make Infused Water?
Making infused water at home is super simple. All you need is water and a selection of fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Basically, chop up your ingredients and add them to hot or cold water, depending on your preference. The more of an ingredient you use, the stronger the flavor will become.
If you’re making a cold drink, you can leave the infused water in the fridge for 1–12 hours to allow the flavors to infuse more deeply. Be sure to remove the ingredients after this time though, so they don’t begin to decay or disintegrate.
If you’re in a hurry, crushing, tearing or cutting your fruit and herbs before using them can help release the flavors more quickly.
Principio del formulario
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The exact properties of infused water will vary depending on the ingredients you use and the strength of the infusion.
Is Infused Water Healthy?
I personally feel better when I drink more water and there is a good chance you will, too. Also, depending on what you’ve used to infuse the water, you could be setting yourself up for additional nutrients.
Can Infused Water Help With Weight Loss?
Drinking water may help you lose weight, and this applies to infused water just the same. Water has been shown to momentarily elevate your metabolic rate, so you burn more calories.
Studies have shown that drinking 17 oz (half a liter) of water can increase your metabolic rate by up to 30% for about an hour.
In fact, people who drink the recommended amount of water as part of a weight loss program tend to lose more weight than those who don’t.
One study found that overweight adults who drank 17 oz (half a liter) of water before their meals lost 40% more weight than those who didn’t.
This can be partially explained by a rise in metabolism, but may also be due to the effect water has on your appetite. Drinking water has been associated to reduced hunger, so if you drink water before a meal, you may eat less.
Can Infused Water Improve Digestive Health?
Hydration is important for digestive health and maintaining regular bowel movements. Chronic dehydration can cause constipation, which can make you feel bloated and tired.
Drinking plenty of water may help food pass smoothly through your gut and prevent you from becoming constipated.
Does Infuse Water Improve Mood and Energy Levels?
Even mild dehydration can affect mood, concentration and energy levels.
Studies have shown that dehydration levels of around 1% can significantly decrease mood, reduce concentration span and cause headaches.
One study looked at adults who consumed less than 41 oz (1.2 liters) of water per day. When they increased their water intake to 85 oz (2.5 liters) per day, they were happier, had more energy and felt calmer.
As a result, if you aren’t drinking enough, increasing your water intake could improve your mood and give you more energy.
Can you eat the fruit after infusing water?
Yes, although it might let you down. As the fruit infuses the water with flavor, the fruit itself becomes less flavorful. So it might taste watery and less tasteful than what you’d expect.
How long can you keep infused water in the fridge?
Infused water is best 2 to 4 hours after you’ve made it. Otherwise, you can let it infuse overnight in the refrigerator.
Some ingredients last better than others. With herbs, for example, fresh basil lasts 2 to 3 days but rosemary can last up to a week.
Here are 6 Incredible Infused Water recipes…
Ingredients
For the base:
5 cups water (you can also use sparkling water)
1 cup ice cubes (optional)
Variations:
Strawberry, Lemon and Basil:
1/2 cup strawberries stemmed and sliced, fresh or frozen
5 large fresh basil leaves torn
1 lemon thinly sliced
Cucumber, Mint and Lime:
2 limes thinly sliced
1 cucumber thinly sliced
10 fresh mint leaves torn
Blackberry, Grapefruit, and Rosemary:
½ pint blackberries
1 grapefruit thinly sliced
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
Ginger and Orange:
1 orange thinly sliced
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger peeled and thinly sliced
Pineapple and Coconut:
1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or frozen
1 cup coconut chunks, fresh or frozen
1 cup coconut water (optional, omit 1 cup water if using)
Apple and Cinnamon:
1 apple thinly sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
Instructions
In a large pitcher, place the preferred combination of fruit and/or herbs. Add ice and fill the container with water. Add additional fruit and/or herbs to garnish, if desired.
And that’s that!
I hope you enjoy these recipes for infused water and that they actually help you stay hydrated throughout the day. What’s more, you and your family can get creative and craft your own fruit and herb blends. They are sure to be delicious!
For more information on many other posts and amazing tips and recipes, don’t forget to check out my social media!
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