It’s no secret that we need water to live. Experts say that 60 percent of our body weight is water, and it comprises more than 70 percent of the human brain. Water protects the body from getting too hot and keeps it functioning by detoxifying the organs and assisting in nourishing cells.
But there’s another great aspect of water that you probably haven’t even thought of. It’s a 100 percent neutral drink. This means it doesn’t have much taste straight out of the bottle or tap. Bingo…what a perfect way reason to get creative, right?
Why not knock out a serving of fruit with every glass of water you drink? In summer months, this can make for a fun way to add nutrients to your diet. You're killing two birds with one stone.
This brings us to how to make water healthier. Check out these five healthy additions to try today. And remember that when it comes to things like blueberries, more is definitely merrier. However, with lemon and lime, you’ll want to go slow and listen to your taste buds so that you don’t sour your senses.
Here we go!
Drink water with lemon juice in it.
Lemon water isn’t the most original concoction. However, you probably didn’t know that it can actually be amazingly healthy. After all, we often forget that lemons are a nutrient-packed fruit.
This is why we can’t sing the praises of lemon juice enough. According to OrganicFacts.net, lemon contains a number of nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus and even protein.
And lemon juice can be helpful in the way of numerous health issues. According to Organic Facts, the flavonoids in lemon can fight cancer, ward off diabetes, and even help to prevent kidney stones.
Remember this the next time you’re faced with a plain glass of water. Lemon is one of those things that has to be added to food and drinks, making this the perfect time to do just that.
Add blueberries to water to boost health benefits.
Are you ready for a fruit fix? Who said you had to drink plain water? Adding blueberries to a glass just before you fill it can be a smashing hit in the way of taste. Plus, it infuses your water with massive health benefits.
According to the George Mateljan Foundation, blueberries are tops for antioxidants. In fact, the antioxidants found in blueberries can have positive effects on just about everything in your body. Not only can these antioxidants help your body to repair after exercise, but they also can reduce the risk of cancer.
Blueberries are great for cholesterol, triglycerides and keeping blood pressure in check.
So next time you don’t feel like eating blueberries, add them to your water. And for a fun twist, freeze them and use them like ice. On hot summer days, you can eat them as a tasty treat after you drain your glass.
If you don’t like lemon, add a little lime.
When it comes to health benefits that can be added to water, lime is another great choice. Let’s face it -- we wouldn’t eat lime by itself like an orange. This means that we need to find ways to include lime in our diet.
According to the George Mateljan Foundation, one of the best things about lime is that it is chock-full of vitamin C. Plus, it contains a type of flavonoids called flavonol glycosides. These bad boys offer two important things: antioxidant benefits and protection against cancer.
Three cheers for lime. Go ahead, add lime for both flavor and a health boost.
Add pineapple to your H2O.
Pineapple? In water? YES!
Pineapple is amazing when it comes to your health. And like blueberries, you can freeze it to add a little chill to your drink.
But why is pineapple so good for you?
Pineapple contains bromelain, which is a natural blood thinner. Plus, it’s an anti-inflammatory food. According to NaturalNews.com, this makes it a win-win in the way of bruise prevention and decreasing swelling in the body in general.
Some experts say that pineapple is great for preventing cancer. Daily Mail reports that one woman even said she beat cancer with this fruit. (Side note: Don’t quit cancer treatment and turn to pineapple. This is just one woman’s account.)
Next time you’re growling because you haven’t gotten enough fruit in during the day, add that beloved pineapple to your water. And for maximum benefits, add a full serving.
Two words: tea bags.
Another way to make water even healthier is to turn it into something else. This means that tea might be your new favorite option when it comes to water consumption.
Like coffee, tea is packed health benefits, starting with liver health. According to The New York Times, studies show that tea may decrease the risk of liver disease.
But that’s not all. It might also lower your risk of both stroke and Type 2 diabetes. Plus, tea is a natural antidepressant. One analysis of multiple studies found that drinking three cups of tea may lower your risk of depression by more than 30 percent.
Obviously, green tea is a beloved option with known health benefits. But consider chamomile and peppermint tea, too. Both are said to offer numerous benefits.
And to make your adventure even more fun, consider brewing sun tea. Just add your fave bags of tea to a glass container of water and let them bake in the sun. The refreshing taste is one you won’t soon forget.