If taking the healthy route of losing weight involved the simple task of drinking infused water, would it be an ideal weight loss method for you? Enter the Detox Water Diet. Here’s the lowdown, including what it is, how to use it, and the benefits and risks.
First, What’s Detox Water?
If you’ve been to a higher-end hotel or resort lately, you may have seen a pretty, clear container filled with water, ice, herbs, and cut fruit. Not only is it a delicious alternative to plain water (am I the only one that gags on plain, room-temperature water?), but it has some appealing benefits – a flavor boost and encouraging weight loss, to name two of the biggies. Here’s everything you need to know about detox water and weight loss.
Fun fact: detoxing has been around for thousands of years. Ancient people, including Romans and Native Americans, used purging toxins from their bodies to gain better health and live better. But is this continuing way of lessening the proverbial load a good thing for you?
In a nutshell, detox water is the simple task of adding high-water-content fruits and veggies to plain water and letting them soak. During that time, the water is infused with its nutritive benefits and health properties, and it tastes so much better than without (no shade to the gals that adore a nice glass of plain).
Patience is Key
You’ll want to let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least 12 hours to get both the best flavors and benefits from it. In general, detox water dieters drink a hefty glass of it first thing in the morning, then continue with small amounts all day long. Most dieters use filtered water because tap water (at least in my neck of the woods) doesn’t always taste great.
Also, to note: if you’re all in for the detox water diet, you’ll only want to do it for a few days at most. Essentially, you’re increasing your water and nutrient intake to flush out excess toxins, so it’s okay to do it a few times a year – some folks swear by every three months for the ultimate benefits.
And if you’re worried about eating while on a water detox diet, no worries: you’re absolutely able to enjoy healthy foods. So, eat things like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and grains. Once you finish, begin to introduce meat and carbohydrates.
Benefits of Detox Water
Happily, even though it takes just a little effort to create your favorite detox water blend, there are quite a few health benefits to it:
Staying Hydrated – If you’re like I am, you’d rather drink a beverage with flavor than without. Adding fruits, vegetables, and herbs to your water encourages you to drink more of it, thereby nixing dehydration. Additionally, staying hydrated has been proven to give your energy a boost.
Immunity Boost – Remember taking a daily vitamin C when you felt like you were coming down with something or if you’d already caught a bug? With detox water, adding fruits rich in vitamin C (strawberries, oranges, kiwi, grapefruit, and lemon) is a tasty alternative. Honey is also a great addition to detox water for an easy immunity boost as well.
Skin Improvement – Again, staying hydrated is essential for skin health, so using a detox water diet can make you look more youthful and plumper.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties – Adding foods high in anti-inflammatory nutrients (ginger, turmeric, ginseng, and rosemary) can help you fight off free radicals.
Digestion Help – Not only will the fiber in the fruits and veggies that you’ve added to the detox water help with overall gut health (maybe TMI, but having enough fiber improves the quality of your #2s), but having the proper amount of hydration in your body allows it to efficiently uptake all of the nutrients in the food you eat.
Does Detox Water Help You To Lose Belly Fat?
This is a tricky question. Detox water can help you to lose weight, but not with its hydration or ingredients. It’s the craving to want to drink more because of its tastiness that will cause you to eat less because you feel fuller. Additionally, using infused water in place of high-calorie soft drinks and juices will lower your daily caloric intake, which may help with weight loss.
Tasty Detox Water Combinations
If you’re not sure where to begin on the detox water diet train, try these fun (and tasty!) combinations:
- Lemon and Turmeric
- Lemon and Honey
- Ginger and Lemon
- Ginger and Honey
- Cucumber and Lime (or cucumber alone is always delish)
- Lemon, Cucumber, and Mint (Lemon and Mint is amazing, too)
- Ginger and Pineapple
- Watermelon and Mint (a personal favorite, especially in summer)
- Apple and Cinnamon (super tasty in autumn and winter)
- Orange, Grapefruit, and Lemon Slices
While you don’t have to, I choose to leave the rinds on my fruit for added taste. If you like a bolder taste, you can always muddle the fruit and herbs first to break them up.
Simple Ways to Get Your Fix*
Read Next:
Drinking Water For Weight Loss
How Your Skin Benefits from Salt Water
Detox Your Body and Get a Flatter Stomach with the Mayr Diet
