Foods and Herbs to Add to Your Water That Will Do Two Important Things

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Water is absolutely essential to the body. We can’t live more than a few days without it. Drinking fewer than the recommended 8 glasses each day can cause our bodies harm or keep it from performing its necessary processes such as the digestion of food, the removal of waste, and the detoxification of your body.

Water, all by itself, will be used by your body to remove toxins, but when you add a few little things to your water, you can not only improve the removal of toxins, but you can also add some of those all-important antioxidants.

Antioxidants are what neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals damage our DNA and our body’s right down to a cellular level. They are one of the driving forces behind the development of premature aging, chronic disease, and even cancer cells. This is why antioxidants are so super important to your body.

Simply by adding a few little natural fruits or herbs to your water, you can turn that plain old water into some powerfully detoxing, antioxidant rich water that can give you some real benefits.

You don’t need to buy any special vitamin water, sports drinks, or energy drinks to get some real health benefits. All your water needs is a little extra boost from Mother Nature herself.

1. Lemons

You knew this little yellow jewel would be on this list, didn’t you? Lemons are a terrific source of vitamin C, which is a really important antioxidant because it helps to kill those free radicals we talked about. Lemons will also alkalize the body, which is also important because cancer cannot live in an alkaline environment. Lemons also stimulate the production of bile, which helps to improve digestion and allows the liver to help to detoxify itself. Adding just a squeeze or two from an organic lemon into your water will give you tons of health benefits and detox powers galore.

2. Grapefruit

This is another citrus fruit that is loaded with vitamin C and other antioxidants. Grapefruit is well known in helping the liver flush carcinogens from the body. Pink grapefruit is not only the sweetest, but it also has high levels of antioxidants. Squeeze the juice from a segment or two into your water and then drop it in for some tasty detox power you will love.

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3. Cucumber

Everyone loves cucumbers! When you add just a few slices of fresh, organic cucumber into your water (find out cucumber water recipe), you’ll add some nice flavor as well as some strong detox power into your body. Cucumbers are extremely hydrating to the body and they also contain important compounds called polyphenols such as pinoresinol and lariciresinol, which have been linked to a reduced risk of the development of certain types of cancer and heart disease. Cucumbers also contain a substance called citrulline, which is a type of amino acid that has been shown to help our livers remove ammonia from the body.

4. Orange

As you might be figuring out, citrus fruits are strong detoxing agents that also contain loads of antioxidants. Like lemons, oranges have flavonoids which stimulate the immune system, which can protect you from diseases and viruses naturally, as well as tons of vitamin C, that powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals. Oranges also are a natural way to fight the buildup of fungus in the body and are also known to be able to reduce cholesterol levels. A squeeze or two from an organic orange into your water is a sweet and tasty way to get some healthy immune boosting nutrients all day long!

5. Cinnamon

This spice has some powerful anti-viral and anti-fungal compounds that can instantly stop indigestion, help our bodies metabolize fat, regulate our blood sugar levels, and improve circulation all at the same time! Cinnamon is also known to help lower cholesterol levels and improve the immune system. With its powerful antioxidants, cinnamon is a tasty way to stop those free radicals that can lead to premature aging. This super tasty spice also contains anti-tumor compounds which slow the spread of cancer cells. Add a stick of cinnamon to your water and let it steep for a few hours or overnight.

6. Strawberries

What could be tastier than fresh strawberry water? Strawberries, like all berries, are treasure chests full of antioxidant power. These little red jewels can work overtime to protect you from free radicals and the damage they cause. If strawberries aren’t your favorite, try crushing a few blueberries, cherries, or raspberries into your water for some tasty, yet super healthy, detox water.

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7. Apple Cider Vinegar

This is probably the most powerful detoxing agent around! Adding a bit of apple cider vinegar to your water will balance out the pH of your body, kill bacteria, improve digestion, and eliminate toxins! It’s pretty strong tasting, but if you add just a bit to your water each day, you will become accustomed to the taste and your body will get a bit of detox power with every single glass you drink.

8. Ginger

This root has been used for centuries to help improve digestion, stop nausea, vomiting, cramps, and gas. This anti-inflammatory root kills cancer cells and stops inflammation in the body while it improves digestion and circulation. You might want to drink this as a hot tea, or simmer some fresh root slices in some hot water, then allow it to cool and drink it later with ice.

9. Mint

Another tasty herb that can’t be beat! Fresh mint leaves improve the flow of bile and stimulates the digestive enzymes that help the body absorb more nutrients from the foods you eat. Mint, besides being super tasty and refreshing, is super soothing and calming. It helps to refresh the mind and settle upset stomachs. Mint will stimulate your liver to make more bile, which will help you break down fats as well as allow your liver to perform detox processes that will remove more toxins and waste from the body.

10. Watermelon

Watermelon also contains citrulline, which helps to remove ammonia from the body. Ammonia is a byproduct of the protein our bodies burn when they are using energy. It’s a very natural process, but it is also a very damaging compound to our cells. You can help remove more of it by adding a few crushed pieces of watermelon to your water. This sweet fruit not only refreshes the taste buds, but it stimulates the liver into removing toxins. It is also high in vitamin C, which, as you know, is a powerful antioxidant that will stop free radical damage.

Everyone has different tastes and preferences, but one of the foods above is bound to appeal to you. Adding just a few of the foods or spices here will give your plain water a healthy, hydrating boost of antioxidant power and help the body detox naturally.

Always buy organic to avoid more contamination from pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

References:

Annualreviews.org

Jn.nutrition.org

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