Whether you’re looking to shed a few bothersome pounds, jump start your digestion, or simply help flush out the toxins that speed aging and make you feel fat, bloated and sick, simple and refreshing detoxifying water drinks are a terrific way to help you get a fresh start.
You can use them with a more intensive detox program, combine them with some light fasting or simply add them to your regular routine. The choice is yours…. you can’t go wrong.
Water alone is a great way to help rid your body of accumulated toxins. But when you add a few choice ingredients you can take common H20 to a whole new level, transforming it into a super effective—yet gentle—water detox.
Let’s get started…
Make your own water detox drinks
The wonderful thing about a water detox is you can personalize if to fit your own exact needs and tastes.
But at the same time it’s incredibly simple to do since any water detox recipe follows the same super-basic formula.
| Basic Water Detox Recipe |
|---|
| Any water detox drink follows the same simple recipe.
Ingredients: |
| Directions: • Combine the distilled water and your chosen detox ingredients • Refrigerate for 3-4 hours • Drink throughout the day alone or combined with your chosen detox program • Drink within 24 hours of infusing. |
12 detoxing ingredients to add to your detox water
Choose any combination of the following 12 natural and effective detoxifiers to infuse your distilled water with.
Detoxing fruits
Since fresh fruit is so readily available summertime is a great time of year for fruit-based water detoxes. But you don’t have to limit yourself to the warm months alone. Frozen fruits work just as well, just make sure you’re always choosing organic versions whenever possible.
Watermelon:
Watermelon is an excellent source of citrulline, an amino acid your body needs to process toxins, and neutralize the naturally-occurring ammonia that’s produced as your body burns energy. It’s also great for the kidneys and liver. Add at least 1 c of fresh watermelon to your detox water.
Lemon and/or Lime:
The easiest detox water around is one you’ve likely tried before, and that’s squeezing lemon or lime juice into your water and drinking it. You can squeeze your citrus or infuse the slices for several hours.
Lemons and limes flush out toxins, help with digestion, and can help relieve gas and heartburn. A glass in the morning is a great way to start your day.
Plus both of these tangy citrus fruits combine well with almost any other detox ingredient on the list, so go ahead and mix things up.
Grapefruit:
Since grapefruit is high in antioxidants, you can fight disease-causing free radicals by adding this citrus fruit to your detox water. Grapefruit may help flush carcinogens and accumulated pesticides from the body.
Since grapefruits are available year-round they’re a perfect choice no matter the season. Either squeeze 2 grapefruit, or peel them like an orange and drop the slices into the water.
Kiwi:
This fuzzy little fruit packs quite a detox punch. The vitamins A and C found in kiwi are potent free radicals that help fight aging and support overall health. They also are great for helping to gently flush toxins from your colon.
Peel and slice at least two kiwis for best results.
Strawberries:
Strawberries are a summertime favorite. Add them fresh or frozen to distilled water to enjoy their delicious sweet taste while reaping their detoxifying rewards.
Strawberries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants. But they’re also natural anti-inflammatories, which means they take on the systemic inflammation that’s at the root of so many major health problems. They’re even good for your skin!
Use at least 2 cups of strawberries per batch of detox water. To get more intense flavor slice a few and then smash up the remaining berries with a spoon before adding them to your water.
Detoxing vegetables
Vegetables can be a healthy and delicious addition to your batch of detox water. They add a subtle flavor while packing a potent detoxifying punch.
Leafy Greens:
You add leafy greens to your smoothies, why not try them in your detox water? Every health benefit you normally reap from simply eating leafy greens you’ll get from drinking them too.
Unlike most of the other detox ingredients you can use, greens do require a little prep work. But the health benefits make them well worth the little bit of extra work. Lightly boil your greens, allow them to cool down add then the greens (cooking water, too) to your detox water. Or you can pulse the greens in a blender with a little water and then add them to your recipe instead.
Cucumbers:
If you’ve ever put cucumbers under your eyes to remove puffiness and dark circles you’ve already experienced some of the detoxifying powers of the cucumber firsthand. Cucumbers are anti-inflammatory so they can help reduce swelling. Plus, as a natural diuretic the cucumber can help reduce bloating, swelling and water retention.
Cucumber detox water can help support both your liver and kidneys as they work to detoxify your body. Add at least 15-20 thin slices to your detox water.
Detoxing spices
Any recipe can be made better with the right seasonings, and water detox recipes are no different.
Mint:
Mint helps gives a light, sweet flavor to any detox water. It’s also a traditional remedy for upset stomach and digestive problems, including stomach cramps and nausea. So lighten up any of your drinks, but keep your tummy feeling fine, too, with the addition of mint.
For best results smash the mint (muddle) with a spoon before adding it to your water.
Rosemary:
The same herb that jazzes up roast chicken and vegetables can add a pop of bright flavor to your detox water, too. And the health benefits are undeniable – rosemary is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Rosemary is said to help to improve digestion. The herb also reportedly may help slow cancer cell growth and offer protection for your brain and eyes.
Rosemary tastes particularly good when combined with fruit. For even better results boil your rosemary in a cup of water, allow to cool and add the rosemary and cooking water to your detox water batch.
Ginger:
Hot or cold, ginger water is a winner. Most people know ginger is great for digestion, but this herb’s benefits don’t end there. Ginger can also help support healthy blood sugar and blood pressure numbers. Plus the potent herb cab help ease muscle aches, headaches and even joint pain.
You can boil a few slices of fresh ginger in a cup of water, let the water cool, and then add the ginger and cooking water to your other ingredients. Or just peel an inch of ginger root and slice or mince directly into the water.
Aloe:
The benefits of aloe don’t stop at your skin. The gel from this plant can help with circulation, and digestion – as well as increase energy and combat fatigue! Like with the leafy greens, it takes a bit of prep work, but for those health benefits? Worth it!
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of aloe gel from a leaf (or buy 100% pure, organic aloe vera gel from your favorite store), add 1 cup of water, and blend until smooth. This is your aloe water base.
Next add other ingredients to your aloe base, or add aloe water to a pitcher of detox water before refrigerating. But keep in mind aloe water can be an acquired taste. You may want to start with a small amount of aloe water diluted in a larger batch of detox water.
Here are two of our favorite recipes to get you started…
| Mint infused cucumber detox water |
|---|
| Delicious and refreshing, cucumber and mint detox water can help get your digestion back on track and relieve bloating.
Ingredients: |
| Directions: • Slice cucumber into thin slices (about 15 to 20 slices) and add to water. • Smash mint leaves (muddle) with a spoon, and add to water • Cover and place in refrigerator for at least three hours. • Serve cold in a tall glass. |
| Ginger infused watermelon detox water |
|---|
| Delicious and refreshing, cucumber and mint detox water can help get your digestion back on track and relieve bloating.
Ingredients: |
| Directions: • Drop watermelon chunks into the distilled water. • Add in ginger root slices (or minced root) • Cover and place in refrigerator for at least three hours. • Serve cold in a tall glass. |
The best part about making a batch of detox water is there’s no right or wrong. Experiment with flavors and combinations. Focus on what’s in season. You can stick with old favorites or try something brand new.
Remember, the important thing isn’t to drink the right detox water, but rather to find the one you’ll love to drink!
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Why the distilled water?
Hi Helder,
We typically recommend distilled water, or reverse osmosis filtered water, to reduce your exposure to a number of toxins that can be found in tap water.
Healthier Talk contributor Dr. Edward Group has an excellent article on the subject, Beware the 12 worst drinking water toxins, if you’d like to learn more.
Thanks for your question!
–The Healthier Talk Team