Infused water with tiny bits of your favorite fruits or other herbs is a way to indulge in delicious tastes and showers us with numerous health benefits, as per experts.

For many, achieving our daily aim of drinking between two or three liters of fluids can be as complicated as locating the right socks when you go out.

Hydration is crucial for many vital functions performed by our body, like transporting nutrients and regulating the body’s temperature.

But how can we make sure we consume the recommended amount of water? It is often difficult because we’re so busy that we don’t take it up, or we find the beverage boring or its flavor uninteresting.

There are now water bottles decorated with inspirational quotes such as “Keep chugging” and ‘Almost There,’ to motivate us to meet the goal of hydration.

Another way to motivate us to drink drinking water is to add ingredients such as fruits, herbs, and spices to make plain water flavorful. It’s as US models and social media influencers Khloe Kardashian proved.

The term now used is infused water. However, it doesn’t stop from adding flavor to the water. We can also reap many benefits from it.

A swap for sugary beverages

Infused water could be an excellent alternative for those who drink sweetened drinks such as energy drinks and sodas. A research paper from 2022 that was published by the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology indicates that sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to weight growth and type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and certain types of cancer.

Numerous studies have proven that drinking sufficient water can help with weight control. One study showed that obese adults who consumed half a liter of water before meals lost 40 percent less weight than the ones who didn’t take the initiative.

In the case of claims for weight management in infused water, it’s precisely the same with water, too.

This could be due to the increased metabolism and the fact that drinking water before meals helps reduce appetite.

A second study has suggested that drinks with added sugar can increase an increased risk of obesity among children. Instead of glasses that are sweetened, children can also get a fun and attractive infused drink. A study also suggests that regular water consumption infused with flavors may reduce the need to drink sweetened beverages.

A fusion of energy

Experts advise that the best time to drink infused water is before exercising or waking up.

For Divya Naik, a dietitian at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, an infusion of lemon and cucumber in water can keep her going after some exercise. As she follows it with a cardio exercise, which usually requires an increase in energy level, an infusion of water will keep her up and running.

“It is enjoyable and helps keep me moving. I’ll do another workout after the beverage,” says Naik. She says the hydrating effect of water infusions can aid the recovery process following a workout.

Plus, adding cucumber to your drink can ensure you stay cool and fresh in the summer months.

Boosting all the goodness

Depending on the ingredients that go into the water, such as berries, cucumbers, or ginger, The water can be more antioxidant-rich. The positive side is that higher consumption of antioxidants is linked to less chance of suffering from chronic health conditions such as heart disease. It also helps improve our bodies’ metabolism and boost our immune system, according to Naik.

Go to those nutrient-rich foods. Get those vitamins.

Fruits are loaded with nutrients, and infused water is another method to obtain these. Naik provides us with a bit of advice for making drinks with lemons. “Do not cut off the lemon’s skin as they have more Vitamin C that the span of the pulp .”> The pulpspan contains more vitamin C than the lemon peel.

Divya Ravish, Dietitian of the Pachouli Wellness Clinic, New Delhi emp, emphasizes this. “Citrus fruit like grapefruits, lemons and oranges are a great source of various nutrients, including Vitamins A, C, E, and some B vitamins. Additionally, they contain antioxidants as well asminerals such as potassium.” She also says all these nutrients provide anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits.

Adding spices and herbs could enhance the health benefits due to their specific characteristics. A study has shown that herbs and spices have properties that decrease cholesterol and glucose levels. They can also improve the mood and cognition.

Based on the research, consuming spice regularly may reduce the risk of heart disease, respiratory ailments, and cancer. Essential oils and herbs such as lavender and rosemary can improve mental function and mood.

Naik claims that we can customize infused water, which means you can combine and mix ingredients to suit our tastes and preferences.

Here are a few ideas for your healthy energy drink.