Water is one of the healthiest drinks, but it can be boring. Instead of grabbing a can of soda, though, why don’t you try these flavored recipes?
Not only are they thirst-quenching and delicious, but they’re amazing for your health.
1. Fruit-infused Sparkling Water
Sparkling water, which contains carbon dioxide, can be good for you in many ways. It helps cut the bloat, decreases the odds of indigestion, and makes you feel full for a long period.
However, soda or club water tastes blah. It isn’t surprising it takes getting used to, and some avoid it after the first time.
Fortunately, you can already buy fruit-infused sparkling water. The fizzy drink gives you all the benefits of soda water and more.
Fruits like watermelon, peach, and cherry give the drink the oomph. But they also provide antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to keep your body healthy. Because these fruits are already sweet, the sparkling water doesn’t need added sugar.
Related: 5 Healthy Things That Aren’t Actually That Healthy
2. Kombucha
Have you walked through the aisles of healthy stores lately? Then there’s a good chance you’ve spotted some kombucha.
Kombucha is a fermented tea that dates back to around 220 BC and highly prized for its supposed health benefits, most notably probiotics.
You see, in our gut are billions of microorganisms that build the microbiome (or their community). Over the last few years, many types of research highlight the significant role these viruses, bacteria, and fungi play in maintaining good health:
- They help modulate the immune system by “exposing” them to various pathogens. Immune regulation is essential to prevent it from being overactive and destroying healthy tissues and organs.
- They can prevent a variety of chronic diseases from inflammatory bowel disease to liver cirrhosis (or liver scarring).
- They can maintain excellent mental health. Studies show a direct correlation between poor gut microbiome composition and the risk of depression and anxiety. One reason could be the digestive tract actually produces over 60% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood.
Probiotics are live fungi and bacteria that can populate the gut and potentially increase the diversity and decrease the overpopulation of bad microorganisms.
You can buy kombucha or make it yourself. You can also drink it plain or make it fizzy through second fermentation – whichever works for your taste buds.
3. Turmeric Latte
One of India’s sought-after spices is a superfood for a reason. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is popular for its antiviral properties. It reduces inflammation (which can help if you have acne), while scientists are now looking into using it to improve dementia.
However, what most people don’t know is the body cannot absorb turmeric well if you just mix it with hot water. Once it is in the body, it clumps together, so it cannot pass through the gut and enter the bloodstream.
How do you make it easier to absorb? Combine it with fat, and one of the most delicious drinks in the world can help you with that.
A turmeric latte calls for any full-fat dairy or, if you’re vegan, coconut milk. You can throw in some honey and cinnamon to add some sweetness and vanilla for more aroma. Before you drink it, sprinkle black pepper to further enhance the absorption.
In less than 10 minutes, you can already have healthy liquid gold. If you’ve made a lot, you can transfer the rest to a properly sealed bottle and drink it the next day.
Note that these won’t replace the hundreds of benefits of water. But they’re way better options than soda if you’re looking for flavor.
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