In minutes, you can transform boring H2O into a delicious glass of healthy, refreshing, flavored water.
According to the National Resources Defense Council, 90 percent of what you pay for a bottle of water goes toward packaging, shipping, advertising and many bottles wind up in landfills, where they might take thousands of years to decompose. In addition, If you’re going to buy flavored waters, they could be bulked up with added colours, sugars, and other unhealthy agents.
1. Jalapeño and Watermelon Water
In this zesty recipe from Food Network you’ll find juicy watermelon loaded with vitamins A and C, and spicy jalapeños containing capsaicin, which causes the body to release endorphins. That happiness hormone creates an energizing rush.
2. Apples and Cinnamon
Cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, and apples to flavor her water. “Skinny spice” cinnamon helps lower blood sugar concentration and improves insulin sensitivity, while apples have been shown in studies to help a wide spectrum of ailments from staving off Alzheimer’s to protecting against colon cancer.
3. Strawberries and Basil
This pretty medley of strawberries and basil from A Beautiful Mess provides iron from the herb and vitamin C from the berries, which has been linked to fighting cancer, keeping wrinkles at bay, and more.
4. Raspberry and Pineapple Chunk Ice Cubes
FullBellySisters makeover everyday ice cubes by freezing in raspberries and pineapples. You can also try the savory version: the bloggers recommend freezing olives in brine, and adding to a glass of seltzer.
5. Blueberries, Peach, Lemon, and Mint
This supercharged mixture from cjudithwhite combines the antioxidant power of the fruit with refreshing mint, a carotene-rich aromatic herb—like a yummy sangria without the booze.
6. Lime Slices and Basil
Blogger Olive Heart goes green, adding tart lime and fragrant basil to water, giving it a boost of vitamin C and iron.
7. Orange Slices and Vanilla Bean
Detoxinista hydrates with this simple recipe for orange and vanilla infused water. If you don’t have vanilla bean handy, you can substitute the pod with vanilla extract; both are naturally high in antioxidants.
8. Blackberries and Sage
The Yummy Life blogger puts a spin on water with blackberry and sage. Blackberries are brimming with fiber and heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, while sage contains vitamin A and a variety of minerals like calcium and iron.
9. Cucumber Slices and Lemongrass
Transform a plain pitcher with this recipe for cucumber and lemongrass water from EatBoutique. Lemongrass is a key ingredient in Thai cuisine; if you can’t find it at the market in the produce department, see if you can find frozen stalks in the freezer aisle.
10. Peach Slices and Cayenne Pepper
No recipe required: Try fresh summer peaches with a spicy dash of cayenne pepper; it may help curb appetite and promote calorie burn.
