Few of us follow the “minimum program” - drinking 8 glasses of water a day, as required by the body. Statistics show that only 23% of people on earth follow the correct drinking regime, while the rest have a lot to catch up on!
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In 2013, the oldest source of water on Earth was discovered in Canada. In a mine at a depth of 2.4 kilometers, scientists have found a water reservoir that is 2.6 billion years old! The water in it was very salty. The salt concentration was 10 times greater than in sea water. Today, scientists say that less than one percent of the water on earth can be used as drinking water. At the same time, residents of Europe use about 50 liters of water every day, citizens of America - 100 liters, and the population of Africa - from 2 to 5 liters. In developing countries, the main task of girls and women is to collect water. To make even a small supply, they spend 25% of their time every day. Moreover, in order to fetch water, they have to travel very long distances on foot. In addition to the fact that water is the basis of life, without which existence is basically impossible, its insufficient consumption is dangerous for the body. Recent studies by scientists link water deficiency to a high risk of diseases of the colon, mammary glands and urinary tract, kidney cancer, bladder and prostate cancer. Hydration is critical for normal blood circulation and optimal immune system function.
But how often we underestimate water! When a person begins to feel thirsty, his body has already lost more than one percent of the total amount of water in the body.
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We offer 10 simple recipes on how to make ordinary water tasty and, most importantly, even more healthy for those who find ordinary water tasteless.
These are healthy drinks based on ordinary pure water, less often mineral water, the taste of which is enriched with nutritional additives - fruits, berries, vegetables, spices and herbs. Such water is not only very tasty and aromatic, but also plays an important role in maintaining good health and strong immunity. Some drinks speed up metabolism and promote weight loss, others take care of skin and hair, and others charge you with energy and improve performance. What drink do you choose?
For active brain function and prevention of heart disease
Boil a cinnamon stick in a glass of water over low heat, then use the resulting broth as a concentrate by adding it to the water. Flavored water with cinnamon concentrate has a pleasant taste, activates the brain and helps to concentrate. Cinnamon contains polyphenols and antioxidants that have the ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. And a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adding cinnamon to food helps tame blood sugar levels in people without diabetes.
How to make refreshing and tasty water to quench your thirst
Don't expect an explosion of flavor and some very sweet drink. You will receive water with a subtle, refreshing aroma. So light that sometimes it seems that it is not there, and the water will taste much more pleasant. By the way, it’s very easy to prepare. You don't even need any equipment like a blender, mixer, etc. Just a few cans in which you will then store the drink in the refrigerator.
To prepare water we will need:
► Fruits. Any kind you like, except bananas. Fruits must be ripe to maximize their flavor and aroma. It’s good to put berries, citrus fruits, pineapple or watermelon in water.
►Herbs. This is optional. It is not necessary to add herbs if you don't really like them. However, sometimes they work wonders to bring out the flavors of the fruit and make the water delicious.
►Jars or jugs. Preferably with lids.
►Jug with strainer. Or you can just take a separate strainer. Berries from water in a glass will not look very attractive, and they will not taste very good. so it is better to filter the water.
►Mudler or just a spoon to mash fruits and herbs.
►Water. Any water you always drink. It can even be tap water, if its taste and quality suits you.
What fruit should I take, fresh or frozen?
The answer is ambiguous. Out of season, naturally, it is better to take frozen ones, since fresh ones, even if they are in the store, usually do not have the rich taste that we need, and they are a little expensive. During the season, you can look for fresh ripe berries and fruits.
What herbs to use?
Which ones do you like and which ones do you have on hand? Typically mint is used in these recipes, but basil, rosemary, sage, thyme or lavender also provide interesting flavor combinations.
How long can such water be stored?
In the refrigerator - about 3 days. Therefore, it is not recommended to make too much water in advance, especially since it takes literally 2 minutes to prepare, and it will not be difficult for you to prepare fresh water regularly.
The most successful combinations:
- Cucumber and fresh mint
- Apple and cinnamon sticks
- Blueberries and strawberries
- Orange, cucumber, lime and lemon
- Lemon, cucumber, fresh mint and fresh rosemary
- Frozen grapes, frozen strawberries and fresh mint
- Watermelon, pineapple and apple
- Peach and melon
- Watermelon and peach
- Strawberries and fresh mint
- Fresh mint, fresh lavender and lemon
- Peach, strawberry and raspberry/blackberry
- Kiwi, raspberry and peach
- Strawberry and orange
Recipes:
Citrus water
The amount of ingredients is indicated for 2 liters of water, but you can change the ratio of elements to your taste.
Cut 1 orange, 1 lime, 1 lemon into halves. Place in a jar and mash a little with a muddler so that the fruit releases juice but does not turn into mush. Fill the jar with ice and add water to the top. Gently mix with the handle of a spoon. Close the lid and put it in the refrigerator or just in a cool place.
You can drink it right away, but the aroma will become more intense after 1-2 hours, and the drink will acquire an even fuller taste after a day. Even until the next day, the ice may not melt completely and will serve as a kind of sieve separating water from pieces of fruit.
Raspberry and lime water
It turns out to be an interesting, slightly tart drink with a pleasant color. Cut two limes into quarters, squeeze the juice into a jar with your hands, then throw the quarters into the jar. Add a handful of raspberries. Crush the fruit a little, but only lightly. Add ice, water, mix, cover with a lid, and put in the refrigerator.
Water with pineapple and mint
Place a sprig of mint or mint leaves (if you want them to float beautifully in the jar) in a container. Rub the mint a little with a muddler, you should feel its aroma. Add pineapple pieces and mash some more. Ice, water, mix, cover with a lid, put in the refrigerator.
Water with blackberries and sage
The result is a subtle and refreshing taste. Add sage leaves to the jar and mash a little. Add a handful of blackberries and mash. Ice, water, mix, cover with a lid, put in the refrigerator.
Water with watermelon and rosemary
We put a sprig of rosemary in a jar, knead it a little, even with a little effort, rosemary releases its aroma very quickly, so don’t be too zealous. Add watermelon cubes and knead very lightly. Ice, water, mix, cover with a lid, put in the refrigerator.
Rosemary-watermelon and pineapple-mint water are the sweetest. If the rest seems a bit bland to you, you can add honey or even sugar. It will still be no worse than store-bought lemonade. By the way, these are just basic recipes; you can experiment endlessly, using other fruits and herbs, mixing them in different ways. This is a huge scope for creativity.
To strengthen the body during the cold season
Cranberries and ginger root are among the top foods that are good for the immune system. They increase the body's resistance to viruses and bacteria. Place 20 cranberries on the bottom of the carafe. Cut 5 centimeters of ginger root into thin strips and add to the berries. Fill the carafe with 1 liter of water and let the drink steep in the refrigerator for 4 hours. In addition to these properties, cranberries will help cope with oral diseases by reducing inflammation. And ginger root is effective for relieving muscle pain after an intense workout.
Questionable ways to improve chemical composition
Dietary supplements.
Many manufacturers of dietary supplements and cleaning products offer their products for purifying water from impurities. Here you can find anything you want:
- Shungite.
- Silicon.
- Coral powder.
Promoters of alternative cleaning methods promise improved taste, enriched composition and high-quality cleaning.
In fact, such methods rarely have a positive effect. Moreover, the wrong dosage of silicon spoils the taste of water and makes it dangerous. And shungite is rarely purified, so a person will receive additional contamination as an enrichment. Sorbent.
Another popular method is the use of wood ash as a sorbent. If we are talking about ordinary activated carbon, then yes, it is able to purify the composition of water and absorb most chemical elements, but it is completely useless in the case of bacteria and spores.
Silver.
Even if you collect all the family jewelry and cutlery made from this metal in a container, the properties and composition of the water will not change at all. The only advantage of silver is the reduction in bacterial growth activity. The same effect can be achieved by freezing and storing in the refrigerator.
For clear skin and an even complexion
Bright strawberries and green freshness of cucumber. This drink is pleasing to the eye and good for health. To prepare it, take 5 large strawberries and cut into thin slices. Separately, slice half an English cucumber. Place the prepared ingredients in a carafe and fill with a liter of water. After 10 minutes you can drink. Biologically active compounds contained in cucumbers and strawberries help the body cope with inflammatory processes and help reduce skin rashes. This drink is useful for everyone who cares about the health and beauty of their skin.
Sorrel lemonade
You will need:
- sorrel - 200-300 g;
- sugar - 150 g;
- water - 500 ml;
- lemon - 1 pc.;
- sparkling mineral water - 1 l.
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Wash the sorrel, tear off the stems, leaving only the leaves. Grind in a blender or food processor to a paste. Pour hot water over the sugar and stir to create a syrup. Pour chopped sorrel over it, squeeze lemon juice into it, mix and strain through a sieve. Add mineral water to the resulting mass and mix thoroughly again. Then cool, add ice and enjoy!
Sangria
Sangria is a soft drink based on wine (usually dry red) and fresh fruit. Homemade sangria contains no artificial additives, flavors or fruit waste.
Ingredients:
- wine (red, rose or white) - 700-750 ml;
- honey/sugar (cane or white) - 2 tbsp;
- lemon - 1 pc.;
- water - 700-750 ml;
- sweet fruits (oranges, apples, peaches - to choose from) - 2 pcs.;
- spices - to taste: cloves, ginger, mint, cinnamon sticks, vanilla, etc.;
- strong alcohol (cognac, rum, brandy, vodka or dry liqueur) is an optional component.
Preparation:
- If the drink contains strong alcohol, you need to infuse fruits and spices in it for 6-8 hours.
- Mix all ingredients in a jug and refrigerate for 3-12 hours.
- If desired, add ice and fizzy drinks to the sangria.
Children's joy with banana and cocoa
What do children love most in the summer heat? Of course, ice cream. Not only the younger ones enjoy it, but also the adults. Based on it, you can create another delicacy - a milkshake. And it would be wrong to talk about cooling drinks and not say a word about it. So, it will require:
- 100 grams of creamy ice cream
- 300 ml medium fat milk
- 1 banana
- A couple of teaspoons of cocoa powder
- A pinch of vanillin.
This delicacy is easy to prepare:
- The main thing you need to create this drink is a blender or at least a mixer. Without them, it will be very difficult to get that airy cocktail structure. In general, the principle of creating a drink is very simple: everything is put into one container (the banana is slightly chopped into round pieces), and then the kitchen appliances are turned on (the same blender or mixer).
- The resulting cocktail is poured into a glass and can be served.
It will be more convenient to absorb this dish through a straw, otherwise, due to its structure, there is a high chance of getting dirty. By the way, it can have any “filling”: you can add strawberries or raspberries, for example. The main thing that should remain unchanged is the combination of ice cream and milk in a ratio of 1 to 3. The option with banana and cocoa is, one might say, already a classic.
This drink can be made a little healthier. So, for example, you can add a spoonful of dry oatmeal to it. They are first filled with a small amount of milk and allowed to swell a little. And then grind it in a blender in the same way as in the original recipe. This cocktail option will be an excellent breakfast replacement. Children and little sweet tooths will especially enjoy this replacement.
Ginger cocktail
A drink with ginger has a calming, relaxing and tonic effect. It can be combined with juices and alcohol. A ginger cocktail quenches thirst, strengthens the immune system and promotes weight loss.
It is better to use fresh ginger. It is less hot, more aromatic and does not spoil the consistency of the cocktail.
Ingredients:
- ginger root - 20 g;
- boiling water - 200 ml;
- honey - to taste;
- lemon/orange juice - to taste;
- mint - 1 leaf.
Preparation:
- Place the chopped ginger in a small saucepan, add water, bring to a boil and remove from heat.
- Add honey, lemon or orange juice if desired.
- Cool, add ice cubes and a mint leaf.
Lassi
Lassi is a traditional Indian drink that is very refreshing in the heat. If desired, you can add berries, syrup and even vegetables to the basic ingredients. Lassi can be drunk before and during meals, or as a meal replacement.
Ingredients:
- natural yogurt - 100 ml;
- water - 200 ml;
- ginger root - 1/2 tsp;
- cardamom - 1 tsp;
- sugar - 1 tsp.
- fruit or vegetable (to choose from) - 1 pc.
Preparation:
- Peel and grate the ginger.
- Add ginger, yogurt and ice to the water.
- Dilute the composition with cardamom. You can complement the lassi with your favorite vegetable or fruit. Grind in a blender until creamy.
- If desired, add honey or sugar to the drink.
Drink only purified water
And finally, one more simple piece of advice. Thawed water is cleaner, and therefore much healthier; it is easier for the body to absorb it. For more effective cleaning, you can freeze the water and then defrost it to room temperature (impurities will precipitate), or pass it through a special filter.
Tips on how to make water tasty are very simple, and preparing such water will not take you much time. And the benefits from it are much greater than from the usual one!
