Detox water is water that has been infused with fresh fruits, vegetables, or herbs for added flavor. It is also known as infused or flavored water. It is easy to make your detox water at home with different combinations of ingredients. As it doesn’t utilize the pulp or sugar from the ingredients and is merely an infusion, it is also low in calories. This makes it a popular addition to many healthy meal plans.

Benefits of flavored water
There are several health benefits associated with drinking flavored water, depending on the combination of ingredients used. Some of the benefits are:

Keeps you hydrated: Drinking infused water can help keep your body hydrated, so your vital organs can function at an optimal level. Flavored water is a great, low-calorie option if you do not enjoy the taste of regular, plain water.

Helps burn calories: Maintaining a regular intake of fluids (either regular or infused water) can also temporarily boost the metabolic system, which helps burn more calories. According to certain reports, drinking 17 ounces of water can increase your metabolic rate by up to 30% for an hour. Drinking water has also been linked to reduced hunger, which can help lower calorie intake.

Aids in digestion: Hydration is necessary for maintaining good digestive health and having regular bowel movements. Fluids help food move through the body with more ease, helping you avoid constipation.

Improves mood and energy levels: Increasing water intake can help boost your mood and give you more energy. This is because even mild (1%) dehydration has been linked to bad moods, decreased concentration span, and headaches. Drinking infused water is a great way to enhance your mood and stay hydrated with a fresh burst of flavor.

Enhances immunity: Flavored water may help enhance your immune system, especially when infused with ingredients rich in vitamin C, such as lemon, lime, or strawberries. Although there is no conclusive data on how much impact it can make, it may help improve your nutrient intake by small margins daily.

Popular detox water recipes
To make detox water, you need to chop all your ingredients and add them to cold or hot water, based on your preferences. If you are using cold water, let the concoction sit in the refrigerator for a few hours before drinking it. This will allow the flavors to seep into the water. Remove any fresh ingredients from the water after infusion to avoid decomposition. Some popular infused water combinations are:

Cucumber and mint: When infused overnight, cucumbers give a subtle flavor to the water. They contain vitamins A and C, along with minerals like silica and potassium. Mint adds a fresh flavor to the water and can help aid digestion. If you are keen on maximizing the benefits of this concoction, consider adding some lemon juice to it as well.

Lemon and ginger: Lemon and ginger flavored water (or tea) can provide relief from nausea, improve immunity, reduce the risk of cardiovascular and liver disease, and offer pain relief. Ginger is popular as an anti-inflammatory ingredient in traditional home remedies across Asia, and lemon is a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Lemon and cayenne pepper: Lemon is a great source of vitamin C and minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Combined with cayenne pepper in the form of infused water, it offers benefits like antifungal and immune-boosting properties. It may also help boost cardiovascular health, promote digestion, and regulate blood sugar levels.

Watermelon and mint: Watermelon and mint make for an exciting yet healthy combination for a fruity summer beverage. It combines the goodness of citrulline from the watermelon, which can help improve liver function and reduce the accumulation of fat in the cells, along with mint, which helps aid the digestive process.

Mango, pineapple, and lemon: Pineapple, mango, and lemon are rich sources of vitamin C and can help bolster our immune system. Infusing them in water may help you reduce calorie intake while still enjoying some of the benefits of vitamin C.

Grapefruit and rosemary: This flavor-packed water is great for people who are looking for a kick of vitamin C combined with the fresh taste of rosemary. Rosemary is also known to aid the digestion process.

Orange and lemon: If you are looking for bold, citrusy flavors, orange and lemon water is rich in vitamin C. If you are adding slices of these ingredients to your water, make sure you retain the peels as well, as they are a rich source of citrus oil.

Lemon and lime: Lemon and lime water, or regular lime-infused water, has several notable health benefits. It rejuvenates the skin for a youthful glow, improves digestion, helps fight infections and reduce inflammation, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and reduces the risk of heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

Strawberry and basil: Strawberry and basil water is another refreshing summer drink that is a good source of vitamin C, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Due to its contents, it can help provide hydration, boost immunity, and prevent heartburn.

Apple and cinnamon: Apple and cinnamon is another delicious detox water combination that may help increase energy levels, reduce menstrual pain, regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease due to the anti-inflammatory and flavonoid content of its ingredients.