Fluids are crucial to keeping the vital organs fully-functioning. According to Dr. Dolly Doctor, an internal medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Encinitas, more fluid intake is necessary during the hot summer months.
Adults need about half a gallon of water intake pero day to prevent dehydration. However, dehydration symptoms like lightheadedness or headache could still be felt for those who like to work out.
According to Dr. Doctor, electrolytes are the key. For dehydration, a little bit of sugar in the drink usually does the trick. Fruit contains two types of sugar called fructose and glucose. Glucose elevates the blood sugar, so the body uses insulin to metabolize it. Fructose, on the other hand, does not raise blood sugar. Instead, it gets broken down in the liver.
This summer, what better way to stay hydrated by adding a twist to plain old water by infusing it with some fruits. Here are some combos you most definitely will love.
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1. Mint Cucumber Lime
If you're looking for something refreshing and tasty, try these three ingredients for a healthy boost. To make this infused water recipe, slice up one full cucumber and one lime into thin slices.
Add about five mint leaves to get enough flavor in a pitcher of water. No need to tear up the leaves, but just make sure that you wash them thoroughly. Fill the pitcher with water and leave for one hour. Serve and enjoy cold with ice cubes.
Aside from preventing dehydration, Healthline says cucumber water also helps with weight loss. Its other additional benefits include cancer prevention and lowering blood pressure. Additionally, it also boosts bone health and supports healthy skin.
2. Lemon Raspberry
Nothing says summer like an ice-cold glass of lemonade. Add a little twist to your lemonade by adding some raspberries.
Raspberries make for delectable summer desserts and jams, but they're also delicious to soak. These berries are a great source of vitamins and minerals such as folate, Vitamins C, A, and K.
Red raspberries can also lower the risk for heart disease and treat upset stomachs as well.
To make this invigorating concoction, place the raspberries and lime slices in a 32-ounce Mason jar or pitcher. Next, fill it with 22 ounces of filtered water.
Lastly, stir, cover, and let it sit in the refrigerator for about an hour. For more flavor, you can leave it in the fridge overnight. Add ice upon serving and enjoy.
3. Tomato-Basil Water
Basil has a ton of health benefits. A few of them include fighting off free radicals, depression, managing diabetes, promoting a healthy gut, and aiding in digestion.
When infused together with tomato, it would give off a tangy and refreshing flavor, and with boosted health benefits too.
Tomatoes are good antioxidants as they contain lycopene, which reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. Moreover, tomatoes are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
To make tomato-basil water, just dice up one large tomato and add three basil sprigs into a pitcher. Add about two quarts of water and place it in the fridge for two to four hours to infuse the ingredients. Once chilled, serve with ice.
Are you ready yet to spruce your summer water drinking game? Go ahead and try these recipes and see the effects in the following days to come.
