Fruits and vegetables add flavor to water
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EmailInfusing drinking water with fruits and veggies – a flavorful way to boost vital fluids in your diet.
Up to 60 percent of the human body is composed of water; therefore water is essential for people to consume. Water flushes out toxins from our body, carries nutrients, helps moisten our ears and nose and plays a crucial role in supporting other major body functions.
In hot weather you can lose excessive amounts of water through sweating. One of the best ways to avoid dehydration and replace your body fluids is by drinking water.
Michigan State University Extension says that unfortunately, most people are not drinking enough water. A common complaint among adults and children is they don’t drink water because they do not like the taste of water. Many people say that water is bland and tasteless and will substitute sugary and artificially flavored beverages in place of water, not realizing how many calories are in sweetened drinks. Drinking high amounts of sugary beverages daily can contribute to excessive weight gain and obesity.
By infusing your drinking water with fruits, vegetables or herbs you can add flavor and eliminate the flat, boring taste of water which many people complain about. Increasing drinking water can also help prevent consuming extra calories.
The Institute of Medicine recommends 125 ounces for men and 91 ounces of water for women daily. Experts say as a rule of thumb, in order to get enough water, your child or teen should drink at least six to eight cups of water a day and eat the recommended number of daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Also pay special attention to your child's or teen's water consumption when he or she is physically active. Before, during and after any physical activity, kids need to drink plenty of water, especially in hot weather. The goal is to drink one-half to two cups of water every 15 to 20 minutes while exercising.
Kids total daily water requirements
|
Age range |
Gender |
Total water (liters/day) |
|
4-8 years |
Girls and boys |
1.3 |
|
9-13 years |
Girls |
2.1 |
|
|
Boys |
2.4 |
|
14-18 years |
Girls |
2.3 |
|
|
Boys |
3.3 |
Note: Total water includes all water contained in food, beverages and drinking water.
Infused water recipes can include any of your favorite fruits, berries, lemons, limes, oranges, etc. For a special flavor try adding cucumber slices, mint, lavender and spearmint. Add these to your drinking water for a pizzazz which can help improve you and your family’s daily water intake.
