Let’s face the facts, water is essential to life. Starting from the outside in, water promotes wellness and beauty and with colder weather coming our way, keeping our skin hydrated tops the list.
About 60 percent of your body is water, and it’s crucial to replenish the supply as much as possible. We should drink it plentifully every day — but unfortunately, most of us slack from time to time and opt for tastier drinks to quench our thirst.
Whether it’s adding mint for a fresh taste or dropping lemon juice in warm water, these four healthy and tasty ways to hydrate will have your skin and body thanking you.
1. Fruit-infused water
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If you haven’t already jumped on the fruit-infused water bandwagon, give it at try. People often mix in herbs to boost the nutritional benefit, and adding fresh mint with your berries is a work of art in itself. Drinking water has been shown to boost your metabolism, and helps you detox by aiding digestion. Just a few fruits and herbs worth mentioning to add to your water are:
Oranges provide vitamin C.
Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are chock-full of antioxidants.
Ginger may help fight nausea and ease muscle soreness after a workout.
Mint contains vitamin A, which may strengthen skin tissue.
2. Aloe vera water
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Known as the “plant of immortality” by the ancient Egyptians, aloe has been used for centuries to aid everything from arthritis to acne. Aloe vera is also used for medicinal purposes to treat burns, and some studies have shown that it’s got promise to treat skin conditions, prevent cavities and help with liver damage. Offered as in water or as pure aloe juice, this is a refreshing and hydrating drink — but don’t make your own, as too much aloe can cause cramping.
3. Lemon water
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Drinking warm lemon water in the morning does a body good, which in turn does your skin some good as well. Lemon water has a fair share of vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that fights free radicals, which are damaging to our skin. Key word: natural. It’s safe and healthy (though you should drink it through a straw) — and the more you drink, the better you might feel and look. Drinking this water can be a good method of fighting aging (fine lines, wrinkles) because it can build collagen. It’s also good for your digestion, and it’s a natural pick-me-up. So the next time you’re at home or a restaurant, don’t forget to add some slices of lemon to your drink.
4. Coconut “water”
I’m not that crazy about the taste of coconut water, but this drink has numerous health advantages. It’s actually a juice, not a water, but it’s got more potassium, magnesium and calcium and fewer calories than most juices, clocking in at 45-60 calories for eight ounces. (It also has sodium, if you’re watching that.)
Coconut water can also act as a great skin tonic, giving dull and dry skin the boost it needs. It contains cytokinins, which can with blood circulation and promote tissue growth — this may help fight pre-mature wrinkles and aging. You can also use coconut water to cleanse your skin. The best part is that it usually has no bad side effects.
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