Summertime means afternoons at the pool, weekends at the beach, backyard BBQs, hiking trails, gardening, baseball games, conferences… summertime means extended hours outdoors doing what we can’t do during the long winter months. More sunlight and warm temperatures offer many health benefits, but extended exposure can also make us vulnerable to certain health risks such as dehydration. To counter dehydration, we fill up our coolers, water bottles, and canteens. But, water by itself can be boring, and energy drinks and flavored waters contain unwanted sugars and chemicals.
The solution—infused water! Sure, it’s trendy. Fancy hotels are infusing their lobby water coolers, refillable water bottles are lining store shelves with infuser tubes designed to hold your recipes neatly in place, and health gurus have been blogging about their favorite produce-drawer-recipes for years. However, rebellious readers, don’t let the popularity deter you. There are loads of health benefits to hopping on the trendy train beyond staying hydrated.
We asked a few ISMers what their favorite water flavors were. Here are six of our favorite combinations you might find worth sipping on.
Lemon Mint
Ju Kim
Art Director
Recipe:
- Three or four thin lemon wheels
- ½ cup chopped mint
Health benefits:
- Lemon is great for detoxifying the body and assisting in weight loss. They contain vitamins A and B, and folic acid, and is rumored to fight acne.
- Mint contains vitamins A, B, C, and K. It helps with digestion as well as to relax nerves (the menthol mint releases is a mild painkiller and relaxant).
Melon Medley
Weldon Burge
I&P Editor
Recipe:
- 1 cup cantaloupe squares
- 1 cup watermelon squares
- 1 cup honeydew squares
Benefits:
- Cantaloupe is a super fruit containing vitamins C, A, B6, B3, and K, plus potassium, copper, folate, magnesium, and fiber. It’s rich in antioxidants that help protect cells and limit free radicals, protecting against colon, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers. It can also assist in keeping your eyes healthy, and controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
- Watermelon helps the body flush out toxins. It contains citrulline, an amino acid that has been proven to help the kidneys and liver get rid of ammonia (an end product of our bodies creating energy).
- Honeydew melon is in the same family as cantaloupe, so there are many shared health benefits. Although honeydew is not as rich in nutrients as it’s cousin, you will still benefit from vitamin C and B6, potassium, and fiber. It’s potassium richness helps calm nerves and feeds your muscles and heart the electric charge needed to function properly. And, it’s high-fiber helps with digestion as well as regulating blood sugars.
Peachy Pear
Ashley Stryker
Digital Content Editor
Recipe:
- ½ peach cut into slices
- ½ pear cut into squares (or slices—whatever is easiest)
Benefits:
- Peaches contain 10 different vitamins, as well as potassium, fluoride, and iron. They can help regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of becoming anemic.
- Pears are loaded with fiber and antioxidants. They assist in regulating digestion and are rumored to protect against colon cancer.
Cucumber Citrus
Justin Tirrell
Software Developer
Recipe:
- Three or four cucumber slices
- Three of four thin lemon wheels
Additional ingredient for the adventurous:
- A pinch of chopped mint (about four leaves)
Benefits:
- Cucumbers are high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium, calcium, and iron—all of which assist your metabolism, rejuvenate skin, and control inflammation.
- Lemons also aid metabolism and rejuvenate skin. They contain vitamins A and B, and folic acid.
Strawberry Basil
Amy York
Associate Marketing Director, ISM Insurance Inc.
Recipe:
- 1 cup of sliced strawberries
- Hardy pinch of shredded basil
Health Benefits:
- Strawberries pack a lot of health benefits into their tiny snacking size. They are loaded with vitamin C, folate, manganese, potassium, magnesium, calcium, fiber, and niacin, helping to regulate the nervous system; reduce cholesterol; prevent heart disease; reduce risks of arthritis, gout, and cancer; control blood pressure; boost the immune system; and help to keep the eyes healthy.
- Basil isn’t just a flavor additive for sauces and whatnot. It’s packed with vitamins K, A, and C, as well as manganese, copper, calcium, folate, iron, omega-3 fats, and magnesium.
Blueberry lavender
Ayush Agarwal
Software Developer
Recipe:
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 1 sprig of lavender
Health Benefits:
- Blueberries contain vitamins C and K, plus manganese, fiber, copper, and have the highest antioxidant capacity of all fruits, veggies, and herbs. They help limit free radicals, and fight against cancers. Research also suggests that blueberries can help increase memory and cardiovascular function, protect the nervous system, and regulate blood sugars. • Lavender has been used in medicines for years to help with restlessness, insomnia, depression, digestive issues such as upset stomachs and loss of appetite, toothaches, migraines, and joint discomfort. The health benefits of adding a sprig or two to your water have not been confirmed, but it will certainly add a refreshing flavor.
Didn’t see your favorite summer fruit on the list? Share your personal recipe in the comment section. Let’s see how many tasty combinations we can come up with.
Additional ISM resources:
ISM Monthly Update for Risk Managers Vol. 4 No. 9 Dig In! Summer Foods for Your Health
ISM Monthly Update for Business Managers Vol .11 No. 9 Green Corner: Tips for a Cool Summer
