one month of water detox recipes to feel better and boost immunity
In 2015 I've been able to encorporate a new lifestyle change that has helped me feel more energetic. Below I share with you my four weeks to feeling better, by way of infused water. My recommendation is to make the water of the week as soon as you wake up. Drinking these first thing in the morning encourages healthy digestion by loosening toxins in your digestive tract, to relieve symptoms of indigestion throughout the day. If you sip on any of these throughout the day, they will help freshen your breath because of the natural acids that are present. This is a simple, natural way to enjoy beverages that have flavour while being free of empty calories from sugar, and free from the potential health hazards associated with artificial sugars and flavorings.
Week one- lemon & lime
This is a great introduction to drinking fruit-infused water. This was what I started with in January of this year to begin my 365 days of detox water. My grandfather, Don, drinks lemon water every day, and for good reasons! Lemons and limes are high in potassium, which is good for one’s heart health, as well as brain and nerve function. Also, this drink will decrease the acidity in your body, which is where disease-states occur. It also removes uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation. It is a good overall cleanse for week one of the one-month detox.
Week two- apple & thyme
A lot of people are not familiar with the health benefits associated with apples and thyme. Infusing these two natural items into water is one of the simplest ways to enjoy the taste while reaping the benefits. This infusion is particularly good for acne because apples have a lot of nutritional properties that make them a good fit in an acne-fighting regimen. Thyme is the real winner though when it comes to the prevention of acne. In fact, scientists at Leeds Metropolitan University in England found that thyme preparations may be more effective than acne prescription creams. Steeping thyme or allowing it to simply soak in water helps to release some of these helpful properties. This same extract can help to reduce blood pressure for people with hypertension. As well, thyme has the potential to cause harm to cancerous cells within breast tissue. This is an approach that is being taken, using wild thyme to create a drug to help reduce cell division responsible for various types of cancer.
Week three: mint & orange
This is my favourite of the four weeks of water cleanse! I absolutely love oranges, and there are many reasons why you should love them too. For example, when potassium levels get too low, you may develop an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia. Like lemons, oranges can prevent this problem from happening. Oranges are also very rich in citrus limonoids, which are proven to help fight a variety of cancers, including that of the skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon. As for mint, it is a plant that I have grown to love, that I cook with a lot. It has been proven that the use of mint in food and drinks can help reduce one’s sodium intake. Mint is great if you are suffering from congestion from allergies or the common cold, as it has natural decongestive properties. Mint also has one of the highest antioxidant counts of any food! Therefore, it is great for helping your body protect itself from the rigors of oxidation. When your body needs to put up its best defense, especially true in today's environment, antioxidants are crucial to your health.
Week four: ginger, kiwi & mint
By this week you should be starting to notice some of the personal benefits of drinking infused water every day. This drink provides great relief for stomach problems because of the combination of ginger and mint. It also is very rich in antioxidants. Finally, Kiwi is a lesser-known ‘superfood’ that is packed with vitamins A and E, which help prevent free radicals as well as certain types of cancer. Kiwi also helps flush out toxins from the colon, which improves your overall health and well-being.
Final thoughts
I am happy to share this strategy that I have developed in hopes of influencing others to begin feeling better every day. Overall, drinking more water is a healthy step in the right direction. Maybe one day, water will rise from the second most popular beverage to the first, and beat soda once and for all! Please feel free to provide feedback or suggestions from your own personal experiences.
