Do a quick internet search for “detox water” and you’ll find exhaustive lists of recipes, as well as articles touting the supposed benefits. For example, you’ll see results like “479 Detox Water Recipes That Will Make You Lose Weight in Seconds!” Maybe I’m exaggerating, but so are they.
Here’s the real truth. If your body is functioning as it should, meaning that your kidneys and liver work, and you haven’t been snacking on like, expired batteries, you don’t need detoxing. Your body works hard to detox on its own. As long as you’re drinking enough water, plain water is fine. (It also helps to get enough fiber, as well.)
Some of these recipes tout the supposed health benefits of the added ingredients, like lemon or other fruits. These benefits are neglible, at best, though.
Where detox water can be beneficial is in simply getting you to drink more water. The equivalent beverages that you can buy, like vitamin waters or sports drinks, often contain sugar and other ingredients that you can do without.
So there’s no real harm in drinking detox water, as long as you’re not only drinking detox water—meaning, you’re not using it as a substitute for food. As long as you’re eating a healthy diet, detox water can be a nice treat, especially if you have trouble drinking plain water.
If you’re one of those people that finds it hard to get in your recommended ounces every day, it’s not a bad idea to try making some infused water, which is what detox water really is. You can make it with simple ingredients. A common water addition, for example, is lemon juice or cucumber slices. Some people claim that starting the day with hot water with lemon really gets the metabolism going. The jury’s still out on that, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
If you want to get fancier, try mixing in some strawberry slices and basil leaves with your lemon juice. Or try cucumber slices and mint. As I’ve mentioned, there are hundreds of recipes out there, so you’re sure to find something that tempts your palate. You’ll save money, instead of wasting it on sugary juices and processed drinks, and hopefully, you’ll find that you’re drinking more water.
