Water Detox for Weight Loss
We all want clearer skin and a slimmer waist. While there’s no magic bullet for weight loss and skin issues, detox water can help support your journey to a happier, healthier you. After all, hydration plays a crucial role in your health. But what exactly is a water detox and what are the best water detox recipes? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Detox Water?
Detox water is, essentially, infused water. You soak fruits and vegetables in plain water for a few hours, allowing its flavor and some of its nutrients to infuse with the water.
The great thing about detox water is that there really aren’t any hard and fast rules. You can infuse your water with whatever fruits, vegetables or herbs you want.
Here’s how it works:
- Chop up your favorite fruits, vegetables or herbs
- Add your produce to cold or hot water
- Let the water infuse for 1-12 hours in the refrigerator
If you’re trying to lose weight or cut back on sugary drinks, detox water is a simple way to lower your daily caloric intake.
How Does Detox Water Help with Weight Loss?
There are a lot of claims about the health benefits of detox water, but weight loss is the most talked-about. Detox water can help with weight loss in many ways.
Drinking more water in general can help you lose weight because it can temporarily raise your metabolism.
Research has found that just drinking 17 ounces of water can boost your metabolic rate by 30% for an hour. Other studies found that overweight adults who drank 17 ounces of water before meals lost 40% more weight than those who didn’t.
The temporary metabolism boost helps drive these results, but water also helps suppress your appetite. So, drinking detox water before a meal may help you eat less.
When detox water replaces sugary drinks, it can also help you lose weight by reducing your calories.
It may not be a magic bullet that helps you lose 10 pounds in a month, but detox water can become an integral part of your weight loss journey.
Health Benefits Of Detox Water
Weight loss is just one benefit of drinking detox water. A water detox can also help improve:
Digestive Health
Your digestive health plays a big role in your overall health. A healthy digestive system can help you maintain a healthy weight, boost your energy and stamina, ensure you’re absorbing enough nutrients and support overall well-being.
Hydration is crucial for your digestive health and keeping things “moving.” When you’re dehydrated all the time, it can cause constipation, which makes you feel tired and bloated. It’s believed that up to 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
Incorporating detox water into your diet can help improve and support digestive health by helping you stay properly hydrated.
Mood And Energy Levels
Hydration also plays an important role in your mood and cognitive function. Just being a little dehydrated can make it harder to concentrate and stay awake.
Research has found that being just 1% dehydrated can affect your focus and mood. Other studies have found that increasing your water consumption from 1.2 liters to 2.5 liters per day can help you feel happier and calmer.
Making detox water a part of your daily routine can help you feel more balanced and energetic.
Related: Best Vitamins for Weight Loss
Water Detox Recipes For Weight Loss
Many people drink detox water to lose weight. The right combination of fruits, veggies and herbs can help you feel fuller for longer and more satisfied. They can also help satisfy those cravings for sweet, sugary drinks.
Here are some great water detox recipes to try for weight loss.
Lemon, Cucumber and Mint
Infuse water with:
- Cucumbers
- Lemons
- Mint sprigs
Allow the water to infuse for 1-3 hours before drinking. The lemon helps with digestion, and cucumber helps your body get more potassium. The mint makes this drink a refreshing way to start or end the day.
Berry, Lemon Detox Water
To make this drink, combine:
- Water
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Lemon slices
You can use fresh or frozen berries for this recipe. Allow the water to infuse for a few hours before drinking (ideally overnight).
Strawberry, Cucumber, Basil
A flavorful water that can help you feel more energetic. To make this drink, combine:
- Strawberries
- Cucumber slices
- Chopped basil leaves
- Water
Allow the water to sit for a few hours before drinking.
The strawberries add so much flavor and can give you a quick energy boost. The cucumber makes this drink so refreshing, and the basil can help curb your appetite.
Lemon Ginger Water
If you want to spice up your detox water, try mixing:
- Water
- Ginger slices
- Lemon slices
Infuse for a few hours and enjoy this flavorful detox water. Squeeze the lemon for even more flavor and a nutrient kick.
Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, supports digestion and can help curb your appetite. Lemon also supports healthy digestion and your immune system.
Strawberry Lavender Detox Water
To make this calming drink, combine:
- Strawberry slices
- Fresh or dried lavender sprigs
- Water
The lavender will help you feel more relaxed and at ease. Just remember that a little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it. The strawberry will help you feel more energetic while adding so much flavor to your water.
Detox Water For Clear Skin
Drinking detox water can help support a healthy complexion. Research has found that increasing water intake can help improve your skin’s appearance if you’re dehydrated.
For optimal skin health and to keep dry skin at bay, aim for 9-13 cups of water per day. Reaching that goal can be tough, but detox water can make it less painful. The flavor satisfies that need for something other than plain water, and the little nutrient boost can help support your skin from the inside out.
Here are a few recipes to try for clear skin health.
Peppermint and Grapefruit
In a large pitcher, combine:
- Water
- Lime slices
- Lemon slices
- Cucumber slices
- Grapefruit slices
- Ginger
- Peppermint leaves
Allow everything to infuse for about 2-3 hours before consuming. If you’re not a fan of grapefruit, you can always use oranges instead.
Lemon, Honey, Mint and Aloe
Fill a large pitcher with water and add:
- Lemon slices
- Mint sprigs
- Fresh aloe juice
- A little apple cider vinegar
- Honey to taste
Feel free to omit the apple cider vinegar if you’re not a fan of the flavor.
Detox Water For Acne
Staying hydrated can help prevent acne and give your skin a beautiful dewy glow. How? Dry skin can trigger excess oil production that can lead to acne.
One study found that women who drank an extra 2 liters of water per day saw improved skin hydration. Another study found that boosting fluid intake improved hydration of the outer layer of skin.
Detox water, especially when infused with hydrating ingredients like cucumber, may help keep your skin healthy and clear.
Try the recipes above to support skin health.
Detox Water Recipes For Flat Belly
Detox water alone can’t give you a flat belly, but it can help with bloating that can make your belly look enlarged.
When you’re bloated, your stomach feels tight, hard and painful. Bloating is usually caused by your diet, but stress and hormones can also cause it.
If you want to get rid of bloat for a flatter belly, try these detox water recipes.
Apple, Mint and Lemon
Mint has anti-inflammatory properties that may help ease the bloat. Apple and lemon also have antioxidants that can help with digestion and liver health.
Mint and Grapefruit
Here, mint is paired with grapefruit to help with bloating and curb your appetite. You can replace grapefruit with oranges, lemon or lime if you prefer.
Cucumber Watermelon
Cucumber is great for bloating and water retention because it acts as a diuretic. It also helps you feel fuller for longer. Watermelon is rich in water, which helps flush out sodium and combat bloating for a flatter belly.
Detox Water Recipes For Breastfeeding Mothers
Breastfeeding moms need an extra 300-400 calories per day for healthy milk production. Detox water can add some more calories to your day while ensuring that you’re staying hydrated (also important for breastfeeding moms).
Talk to your doctor before you add detox water to your diet, especially as a breastfeeding mom. While it’s tempting to start detoxing and losing weight, your health and your baby’s health are most important. You need to ensure that you’re eating enough calories each day to support breastfeeding.
Water infusions can help encourage you to drink more water. Here are some infusions to try:
- Water, lemon, ginger and honey
- Apple, strawberry and mint
- Ginger, turmeric and lemon
- Cucumber, watermelon and mint
- Lemon, aloe and basil
Many breastfeeding moms make it a point to drink water after every breastfeeding session in addition to their usual water intake. Staying hydrated is important, especially when breastfeeding. These infusions will make it easier and more enjoyable to drink water.
Related: Best Postnatal Vitamins for Moms
Printable Meal Planner
Do you want to give this diet a try for yourself? Download our Printable Meal Planner Template to quickly and easily plan out your meals.
Final Thoughts
These water detox recipes are so easy to make, and they can help you reach your weight loss and beauty goals. For best results, choose the fruits and vegetables you love most so that you enjoy your water detox.
Related:
7 Days Insulin Resistance Diet Plan