Water is vital for our bodies to function properly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking water lubricates your joints, keep your body temperature normal, and gets rid of wastes. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the summer when you’re sweating in the heat. But some people don’t like guzzling just plain water–it’s boring. Dr. Oz recommends infusing it with fruits, vegetables, and herbs to add flavor and even provide extra health benefits:
“Berry Blast”
Dark berries, like blackberries, are rich in antioxidants that can help you age better. Freeze the pomegranate seeds and slice the other berries. Add the berries to the water and let them soak for four hours. Add in the pomegranate seeds and enjoy.
-2 quarts of water
-2 cups of pomegranate seeds
-1 cup of blackberries
-1 cup of blueberries
“Citrus Sensation”
Bloating is an uncomfortable sensation caused by too much salt, hormone fluctuations, eating too much at once. Cucumbers and lemons are water-rich foods that fight this feeling. Simply combine the lemon and cucumber and let them sit in the water overnight. You can even store this drink at room temperature for a few days.
-3 quarts of water
-½ cucumber
-10 or 12 mint leaves
-2 sliced lemons
“Tangerine Weight-orade”
Boosting your metabolism is a healthy way to lose weight if you need to. Tangerines can trigger our body to burn fat faster while green tea is known to jump start metabolism. Stir the ingredients together and let them sit overnight. Drink one pitcher each day for the best results.
-1 sliced tangerine
-Handful of mint leaves
-8 cups of brewed green tea
– Barbara Bent
