Water constitutes up to 60% of our body and serves some of the most critical functions. As our lifeline, water is an essential nutrient that regulates vital functions, including transporting nutrients and oxygen across the body, regulating our temperature, and flushing out toxins from the body to keep us all going (1). According to the European Food Safety Authority, Parma, Italy (2), the recommended daily water intake is 2.3 & 2.5 liters for adult women & men, respectively. It essentially translates to 8-10 glasses of water intake per day.
Do we need to consume water nourished with vitamins and nutrients? Does it offer more significant health benefits compared to plain water? Can we make our natural vitamin water? Let’s dig deeper and discover why drinking commercially bottled vitamin water may not be healthy and how to make your natural vitamin water at home.
What is Vitaminwater?
Vitaminwater is a heavily marketed energy drink brand owned by the Cola-Cola company. These products are loaded with added vitamins and minerals, and some of their variants are infused with added sugar, which may pose serious health threats. Although the company claims it is a “healthy drink,” its ingredients do not suggest the same.
Also Read – How to Detox Your Liver Naturally with Perfect Diet
Why You Should Not Drink Vitaminwater?
If we look at the ingredients of Vitaminwater, the self-acclaimed health drink turns out to be sugar syrup. A closer look at Vitaminwater, power-c – 20 fl oz (roughly 590 ml) reveals the ingredients of the overhyped product. The cane contains almost 100 calories and 34 grams of sugar. Studies suggest consuming fructose-sweetened beverages increases visceral adiposity and lipids and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight people (3). In addition, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), women shouldn’t consume more than 25 grams of sugar daily. For men, the safe limit is 37.5 grams per day (4).
Before buying any carbonated drinks, Check the ingredient labels – choose natural sugars over added sugar to be on the safer side.
Side Effects of Vitaminwater
Our body converts sugar into glucose to produce energy. We must remember that the type of sugar we consume, either natural or added sugar, seriously affects our overall health. Added sugar can lead to weight gain, poorly controlled blood sugar levels, and increased risks of heart disease. Additionally, it doesn’t supply necessary nutrients; some nutrients are not required as the body draws them from the diet. (5)
Homemade Natural Vitamin Water
Homemade vitamin water may sound outlandish to you, but do you know that you could consume the benefits of vitamins and minerals in your daily water intake? A little assortment in the normal water could make it deliciously beneficial. Vitamin water benefits you and your family’s health in many ways.
1. Natural vitamin water keeps you hydrated all day long and nourishes your body
2. With the goodness of natural vitamins and minerals, you get fit and healthy
3. Delectable taste prevents you from consuming artificial preservatives that are incorporated in the packaged drinks available in the market
According to Surya Kumar, Founder of Prorganiq – A 100% organic, natural dietary supplement brand believes nature has a cure for everything. Prorganiq was born with an aim to deliver healthy supplements enriched with natural herbs throughout the country. In today’s busy world, homemade DIY supplements may be far from the reality, however ready-made organic supplements can boost metabolism, support weight loss and increase energy level.
Natural Vitamin Water Recipes
There are numerous ways in which you can prepare your favorite vitamin water. Then, depending upon your choice, you could infuse the flavor and make your favorite vitamin water more delicious.
Unlike commercially bottled products, homemade vitamin water is free from added sugar and artificial sweeteners and works like a detox drink.
Also Read – Preparing a Miracle Drink named Kombucha, It’s Uses and Benefits
1. Strawberry, Mint and Lime Water
It is an excellent detox drink with the goodness of vitamin C, Strawberry, Mint, and Lime Water. It boosts metabolism and flushes out excess toxins from our body, thus making our skin hydrated, glowing, and healthy (6).
How to prepare –
In a decanter, take 10 cups of water
Add six strawberries sliced to the half
Add one sliced lime and around 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves
Store in the refrigerator overnight, and serve this tasty chilled vitamin water
2. Fennel & Citrus Digestive Water
This drink can boost your overall health dramatically. Fennel and Citrus water keeps digestion-related problems at bay, boosts metabolism, removes toxins, promotes hydration, and supports weight loss (7).
How to prepare –
Soak 3 grams of fennel seeds in boiling water for 10 minutes and cool it to an average temperature.
In a vessel, add 10 cups of water.
Add lemon juice (1 lemon), one thinly sliced orange, 12 fresh chopped mint leaves (optional), and the fennel seeds infused water; mix well
Store in the refrigerator overnight before serving
With a mix and match of ingredients filled with vitamins and minerals, normal tasteless water would turn into a delicious drink that would make you healthy and provide you with the necessary nourishment throughout the day.
3. Lemon Cucumber Water
The lemon and cucumber water duo effectively fights obesity, provides energy, and aids digestion (8). The alkaline properties of lemon also help you get clear skin.
How to prepare-
In a vessel, add 10 cups of water.
Add one sliced lemon, ¼ cup chopped basil leaves (optional), and 12-15 chopped cucumber pieces; mix well
Let the water rest in the refrigerator overnight before serving
Also, Read – Vitamin E Face Packs- Say Goodbye To Aging, Acne Scars & Stretch Marks
4. Pineapple and Mint Water
This easy-to-make drink is enriched with nutrients and keeps you hydrated throughout the day. In addition, the concoction removes unwanted toxins from the body (9).
How to prepare-
In a decanter, add 10 cups of water
Add 1 cup of pineapple cubes
Add 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves
Let it rest in the refrigerator overnight before serving
5. Blackberry and Sage Mix Water
Loaded with antioxidant properties, this infused water improves metabolism, promotes digestion, adds shine to your skin, and benefits the brain (10).
How to prepare-
Add 10 cups of water to a decanter.
Add 10 cups of finely crushed blackberries, and 3-4 sage herbs
Leave the mixture in the refrigerator overnight before serving
6. Watermelon with Rosemary Water
This delicious mix is enriched with antioxidants, minerals, and nutrients. In addition, the watermelon keeps weight sugar levels checked (11), and rosemary aids digestion.
How to Prepare –
In a pitcher, add 10 cups of water
Add 1 cup watermelon cut into small cubes
Add two rosemary stems, and leave it overnight in the refrigerator
7. Lime and Ginger Water
This classic concoction keeps obesity at bay, prevents indigestion, keeps you hydrated, and flushes out toxins (12).
How to Prepare –
Add one teaspoon of ginger to 1 cup boiling water; let it be for 5 minutes. Cooldown to normal temperature
In a vessel, take 10 cups of water.
Add half a cup of ginger cubes, boiled and strained ginger tea, and one sliced lemon
Refrigerate overnight before serving
8. Apple Cinnamon Water
Enriched with antioxidants and flavonoids, this weight-loss drink is an excellent choice for people with extra flaps. In addition, cinnamon lowers cholesterol, fights diabetes, and improves metabolism (13).
How to Prepare –
In a vessel, take 10 cups of water
Add 1 cup of apple cubes
Add two cinnamon sticks and two teaspoons of ground cinnamon powder
Let the water mixture rest in the refrigerator overnight before serving
9. Apple and Berries Water
This tasty and healthy mix of detox water can boost metabolism. In addition, it may lower cholesterol levels (14) and protect against cancer (15).
How to Prepare –
In a pitcher, add 10 cups of water
Add 1 cup of apple cubes and berries
Add lime juice to add that extra flavor
Let it rest overnight before serving.
10. Orange with Cinnamon Tango
This tango reduces inflammation, controls blood sugar levels, and may also help lose weight (16).
How to Prepare –
In a decanter, take 10 cups of water
Add one thinly sliced orange
Further, add two cinnamon sticks
Add one thinly sliced lemon
Let it rest in the refrigerator overnight, serve chilled
Also Read – ‘Lemon Detox’ – The ‘Master Cleanse’ Program for Weight Loss
11. Raw Mango Boost
This energy booster keeps you protected from the scorching summer heat. It protects from dehydration and provides the necessary energy. It also lowers the risk of colon cancer, diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases. (17)
How to Prepare –
In a decanter, take 10 cups of water
Add one finely sliced raw mango
Add one tablespoon of grounded cumin seeds
Add 12-15 finely chopped mint leaves
Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator overnight, and serve chilled
Summary
Although the market is flooded with tons of energy drinks, it is worthwhile to note that these commercially bottled drinks may be a health hazard. Some of them come with added sugar and artificial sweeteners. However with little bit of effort, one can prepare homemade vitamin water which is not only pocket friendly but also free from added sugar and artificial sweeteners. It’s easy to turn tasteless water into a healthy detox drink by adding a few readily available herbs and fruits from your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you make vitamin water?
Vitamin water is infused with vitamins and minerals. You can use ingredients and herbs from your kitchen to prepare simple homemade vitamin water. Mint, lime, watermelon, cucumber, and fennel are the most common ingredients.
Which is the healthiest vitamin water?
Since homemade vitamin water is purely natural and devoid of any added sugar and preservatives, you can safely consume it in moderate quantities. The benefits of vitamin water depend on the ingredients used to prepare it. While lime is an antioxidant and flushes out toxins, fennel improves the digestive system.
What is the best detox water for belly fat?
Ingredients like lemon, mint, cucumber, and cinnamon can help reduce body fat. Add some ingredients to your detox drinks to prepare a customized weight-loss drink.
What can I drink to flush my liver?
Add citrus fruits to your daily diet as they have liver-cleansing properties. Also, make sure to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day. This will keep you hydrated and help to flush out impurities.
References:
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- “The Water in You: Water and the Human Body” – usgs.gov
- “Water Intake, Water Balance, and the Elusive Daily Water Requirement” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Consuming fructose-sweetened, not glucose-sweetened, beverages increases visceral adiposity and lipids and decreases insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese humans” – researchgate.net
- “Dietary Sugars Intake and Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Reasons Why Vitaminwater Is a Bad Idea” – healthline.com
- “Health Benefits of Infused Water” – pvamu.edu
- “How to Treat Indigestion at Home” – healthline.com
- “7 Benefits of Cucumber Water: Stay Hydrated and Healthy” – healthline.com
- “Hydrating foods: The top 20 and their benefits” – medicalnewstoday.com
- “Strong scientific evidence that eating berries benefits the brain” – acs.org
- “The Health Benefits of Watermelon” – webmd.com
- “How to make ginger water” – healthline.com
- “Cinnamon: Potential Role in the Prevention of Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Effects of Black Raspberry on Lipid Profiles and Vascular Endothelial Function in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Berry Fruits for Cancer Prevention: Current Status and Future Prospects” -pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “To What Extent Does Cinnamon Administration Improve the Glycemic and Lipid Profiles?” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “What to know about mangoes” – medicalnewstoday.com
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