Mixing This With Your Water Can Make It 10x More Hydrating
Fruit-infused water is all the hype nowadays. From adding in lemon for a tart twist to spicing up your water with orange and cinnamon sticks, there are many flavor combinations to try. With an abundance of flavored water recipes, it may be a tad overwhelming to know which flavor profile is the most hydrating.
One of the most underestimated fruits to toss in your water are apples. "An apple and a bottle of water is more hydrating than two bottles of water," integrative medicine physician Dana Cohen tells MindBodyGreen.
If you're craving a different familiar fruit, try watermelon instead. This fruit is extremely hydrating, as it contains 92% water (via Healthline). Plus, it's also low in calories, antioxidant-rich, and brimming with vitamin A, C, and potassium.
Still one of the most well-known hydrators is cucumbers, as their seeds are coated in a gel-like substance packed with water (via MindBodyGreen). Cohen points out that this form is similar to the form of water within our cells (via MindBodyGreen).
If your next pick is lemon, then you're already one step closer to making your water more hydrating. Not only does lemon support hydration, but according to the Cleveland Clinic, water also aids in digestion, promotes weight loss, and is packed with phytonutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. In particular, it contains potassium, vitamin C, and magnesium (per Cleveland Clinic).
What are non-fruity ways to make water more hydrating?
For an added twist, sprinkle some sea salt into your lemon-infused water for a tasty concoction. If you decide to skip the lemon and go straight for the sea salt, certified sports nutritionist Jaclyn Sklaver tells MindBodyGreen that this key ingredient can help your cells pull in water.
When it comes to sustained hydration, another popular item to mix with water is chia seeds. Chia seeds are packed with micronutrients (i.e. zinc, phosphorus, iron, etc.), fiber, protein, and antioxidants (via Healthline). They also reduce inflammation, help regulate blood pressure, and support heart health and bone health (via Healthline).
Drinking aloe vera juice or water is another option for increasing hydration and vitamin C intake (via MedicalNewsToday). If you don't enjoy the taste, another hydrator is coconut water. It's especially hydrating after exercise, according to one 2017 study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, because it contains magnesium and potassium, which are electrolytes. Regardless, you'll want to be mindful of which brands you buy for both of these drinks, as sometimes, there are flavoring agents or sugars added into these infused waters.