Why is it Healthy to Drink More Fruit Infused Water?

What is with the hype surrounding “detox water” or “fruit infused water”? Is it some miracle elixir or just another health fad? 

Some tote the addition of fresh fruits and herbs as the key to flushing out toxins, boosting energy levels, and promoting weight loss. There are many reasons why drinking detox water has valuable health benefits, it just may not be for the reasons you may think. 

Here we will break down why drinking more fruit infused water can be beneficial to an already healthy diet.

What is fruit infused or detox water?

Fruit infused water or detox water is made by adding different combinations of fruits, herbs, and vegetables to water in order to infuse it with their flavors. It is very easy to make at home, using any number of combinations you prefer.

Because fruit infused water is made by infusing flavors (rather than blending or juicing fruits and vegetables) it is naturally very low in calories and sugar.

Why drink fruit infused / detox water?

There are a lot of great reasons to drink water, not just infused water, instead of other beverages. If you plan to replace sugary beverages like soda or fruit juice with fruit infused water, you’re in luck! A much healthier alternative, detox water is: 

• Low in sugar (aside from the small amount of naturally-occurring sugar in fruit)
• More hydrating (when people enjoy the light flavor of detox water, they are more likely to drink)
• Low in calories (which increases if you eat the fruit or vegetables after drinking)
• Refreshing (the flavors of herbs, vegetables, and fruits are naturally refreshing)

Another great benefit is that if you’re trying to reduce your alcohol intake, fruit infused water will make the transition much easier. There are a lot of empty calories in alcohol, which really adds up after a few pints of beer or a couple of glasses of wine. Detox water has plenty of flavor, and only calories that come from the fruit and vegetables.

Are there any specific fruit infused water benefits?

Absolutely! Fruit infused water is enjoyed, and even preferred by people because of its:

• Gentle sweet taste
  When sugar intake is reduced, soda and fruit juice will begin to taste uncomfortably sweet. Detox water is much more gentle, and very refreshing.
  
• Vitamin content
  The vitamin C contained in fruit has shown to benefit the immune system. Although water infused with fruit contains varying amounts, some people enjoy eating the fruit after drinking as a source of additional vitamins.
  
• Digestive support
  Really, digestion is better when your body is well hydrated - even with plain water. However, if fruit infused water encourages you to drink, then it will in turn benefit your digestive system.
  
• Weight-balancing effects
  People who drink plenty of water each day tend to lose more weight than those who do not, but again these results are from drinking plain water. Fruit infusions encourage the drinking of more water, and that is what supports a balanced weight.

How do I make fruit infused water at home?

Start with cold tap or filtered water, then choose a flavor combination you want to use. Some great combinations for fruit infused water are:

• Lemon & strawberry
• Strawberry & basil
• Watermelon & mint
• Cucumber & mint
• Pineapple & ginger

To prepare, slice ingredients (or tear herbs into large chunks) and add to the water. The more of an ingredient you use, and the longer you let it infuse, the stronger the flavors will be.

Keep your detox water refrigerated while infusing, then remove the fruit and herbs after your desired time is reached (no more than 12 hours). The fruit and vegetables will naturally begin to break down in the water and get mushy, so if you want to enjoy eating them or adding them to smoothies then remove them a little earlier.

To speed up the process, crush fruits and herbs before adding them to the water.

The Bottom Line

Yes, switching to fruit infused detox water will benefit your health. However, the reason detox water is beneficial is because of how the water hydrates our bodies, and how it replaces sugary high-calorie beverages with a naturally healthy alternative.

If you find plain water boring to drink, then infusing your water with fruits, vegetables, and herbs can help increase your likelihood of reaching for a glass of water instead of juice or soda.

Ready to start making your own fruit infused water? We have 15 fantastic fruit infused water recipes to curb your soda cravings.

[Credit: Healthline. “Detox Water Health Benefits and Myths.”]