Ingredient: What would you do without water

It is said that 70% of our body is made up of water. The main job of the liquids in our body is to carry vitamins and nutrients and to eliminate toxins from the body. The skin being the largest organ of our bodies, it is severely affected when you don’t drink enough adequate water. Although it is the most important element, most often it is the one we forget about most often. Toxins, the body’s waste and even germs can be trapped within your skin without enough hydration to discard them. This can increase your chances of acne. The benefits of water are numerous, and if you keep yourself well hydrated, your skin will develop a beautiful inner glow. No skincare regime is ever complete without water.

Vitamin waters or water infused with vitamins are the newest fads…but it just another fad or can infused waters really help. There are many health benefits of infused water including appetite control, hydration, immune defense, heartburn prevention, blood sugar regulation and weight management. Fruit infused water is more filling and nutritious than plain water. Fruits contain natural antioxidants and vitamins and so, squeezing the fruit to release its juice into the water before infusing it will enhance its nutritional value.

Due to their high antioxidant content, fruit infused water is known to be able to cleanse your body and eliminate toxins. While keeping your body hydrated, waste is removed from the system. As a result, you’ll have a stronger immune system and better health.

Recipe: Fruit Infused water

#Protip: Make sure that whatever fruit, herbs or vegetables are used are washed thoroughly to remove all dust and pesticides. If possible use organic ingredients

1 glass bottle / jug (At least 1 liter capacity)

Water: Use cold or room temperature filtered water. Hot water makes fruits fall apart faster and will hamper the nutrients you're trying to get out of the ingredients.

Preparation

Soft fruits like lemon, sweet limes, oranges and strawberries need to be sliced thick halved or quartered. Harder fruits like apples should be sliced very thin as it take long to release their flavors.

Ginger, rosemary, lemongrass and leafy herbs like mint, basil, and cilantro (fresh coriander) need to be crushed in a mortar and pestle to release their essential oils.

Soaking Time and Temperature

Water should be infused with fruits or herbs at room temperature for no longer than 2 hours. The water then needs to be put it in the fridge to prevent bacterial growth.

Cucumbers, citrus fruits (lemon, sweet limes, oranges), melons, and mint flavor water almost immediately. Apples, cinnamon, ginger and rosemary need to be soaked overnight in the fridge to release their flavors.

If left for longer than 4 hours, unpeeled citrus fruits can make the water taste bitter. To make a big jug of infused water, peel the citrus before soaking.

#Protip: To make your infused water last all day long, refill your infused waterjug when it's half full. It will be weaker than your first drink, but still flavorful.

Benefits of Lemon, mint and cucumber infused water

Lemons/limes are rich in Vitamin C and act as a natural detoxifier. They boost the immune system, help in better digestion and also cleanse the body by flushing out toxins. Mint adds sweetness without the sugar to your water, helps settle your stomach aids in digestion and also keeps your breath fresh. Cucumbers contain 96% water and therefore give extra hydration. Cucumbers also contains anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

2 lemons sliced thick

½ cucumber sliced medium

12-15 mint leaves (crush the mint leaves in a mortar and pestle to release its natural oils)

1 liter of water

Method

Pour room temperature, boiled water into the jug

Add the lemons, cucumber slices and the mint leaves to the water and give it a gentle stir

Refrigerate for 2 hrs

Remove from fridge and stir

Strain water before pouring into a glass

Allow the water to come to room temperature before drinking

Strawberry, lemon and basil infused water

Benefits

This blend of fruits and flavors is not only delicious but also packed with benefits. It helps to remove toxins from the body and promotes a healthier complexion. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that will keep your skin looking clearer. It also has a huge boost of hydration which is great for your body, skin, and hair.

Ingredients

1 lemon sliced thick

8-10 basil leaves (crush the basil leaves very gently and slightly in a mortar and pestle to release its natural oils)

5-6 slides strawberries

1 liter of cold, filtered / boiled water

Method

Pour the cold filtered/boiled water into the jug

Add the lemon, strawberry slices and the basil leaves to the water and give it a gentle stir

Refrigerate for 30 mins

Remove from fridge and stir

Strain water before pouring into a glass

Add a few ice cubes to the water and enjoy