10 Detox Ingredients You Should Be Adding To Your Drinking Water

By Nutrition Consultant, Jess Robinson

Drinking filtered water by itself has a multitude of benefits such as keeping our cells hydrated to carry out their many functions, boosting metabolism, keeping us energised and aiding weight loss. It is recommended to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, however many fall short of this, and one of the reasons is due to lack of flavour. Thankfully, these 10 detox ingredients do not only rev up the taste of your drinking water to make it more palatable; they also provide added health benefits to your daily water consumption.

1. Lemon

Have a large glass of water with the juice of half a lemon to stimulate your liver, improve digestion and aid in the elimination of toxins. Lemon juice contains citric acid which improves the function of enzymes and improves the liver detoxification pathways.

2. Honey

Yes, that’s right, honey is good for you. In this case, we recommend a teaspoon of honey in warm water as it is a natural antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial. It can help to reduce flatulence, boost your immune system, eliminate toxins, improve skin health, aid weight loss, regulate blood sugar levels and remedy a sore throat.

3. Ginger

This oddly-shaped root has had a long reputation for aiding health conditions. You can have it in your tea, juices, or added to stir-fry dishes. Ginger is great for the gut and digestive tract as it relieves nausea, supports digestion, heals ulcers, and boosts immunity. It also acts as an anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory, helps diabetes, lowers cholesterol, aids weight loss and reduces arthritic pain.

4. Turmeric

There’s a lot of craze about this yellow spice, and it is not unwarranted as it offers many benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Adding some turmeric to your water each morning can: boost your immunity, accelerate your healing process, lower LDL cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, increase bile flow, and boost liver function.

5. Lime

Is an excellent source of antioxidants, as well as being high in potassium, vitamins A, B, C and D, calcium and magnesium. Fresh lime can rejuvenate your skin, aid digestion, combat infections, assist weight loss, lower blood sugar and reduce inflammation.

6. Cayenne Pepper

This spicy pepper has high nutritional value and is low in calories, making it a great addition to any diet. It is the capsaicin in cayenne that makes the pepper hot, and promotes fat burning and weight loss, while also reducing appetite. Sprinkle some cayenne in lemon water to reap these benefits.

7. Green Tea

If cayenne is not your cup of tea, perhaps opt for this popular and valued beverage. Green tea contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that combat free radical damage, protecting cells and molecules from damage. It can also improve cognitive function, promote fat burning, improve physical performance, lower cancer risk, kill bacteria, and aid weight loss. So, do yourself a favour and sip on some green tea.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

This powerful fermented food is best diluted with water to prevent the risk of teeth erosion and has many benefits such as: curbing appetite and cravings, lowering LDL cholesterol levels, promoting weight loss, aiding digestion, and toning and clearing the skin. Buy an organic brand for maximum probiotic content.

9. Mint

This powerful herb is so refreshing in water and has been used as a natural treatment for: nausea, fatigue, headache, asthma, depression, memory loss and skin problems. It can also soothe the stomach, aid digestion, relieve the common cold and maintain oral health. Buy a mint plant to grow in your garden to ensure you are getting a regular, organic supply.

10. Strawberries

These red berries are not only delicious, they also provide a number of health benefits. Strawberries are rich in several vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, and E, plus, iron, vitamin K and folic acid. They are anti-inflammatory, prevent constipation, improve heart health, lower blood sugar, boost immunity, improve brain function and aid weight loss.

Now that you are aware of the numerous benefits of these ingredients, start adding them to your water today to ramp up your detoxification abilities. Dr Cabot’s 15 Day Cleanse is a great way to ensure sufficient detoxification through eating healthy, delicious meals and having our three different cleanse powders daily. Doing a cleanse is a great way to improve overall health and achieve maximum vitality.