By Karen Fifield, Michigan State University Extension
Drinking enough water each day to stay hydrated can often feel like a chore, but, we know water is very important to keep our body working properly. According to United States Geological Service (USGS) water school, the human body on average is made of 60 percent water. The benefits to our body when consuming water each day are numerous.
Staying hydrated helps us:
- Have healthier skin
- Stay alert
- Digest food
- Maintain a healthy weight
Drinking enough water can be a challenge, but there are ways to make it easier. One popular way is to make fruit infused water and create a “water bar” — an area in your office or home set aside as a place where fresh drinking water can be found regularly. Adding fresh fruit to water can be a fun alternative to drinking plain water.
To make infused water, simply add washed fruit of your choice to a container of water and put it in the fridge to chill. Soon the flavor of the fruit will infuse the water. This drink can be a cool summer beverage or a little spice could be added to make a fall or holiday drink. Try adding a few sticks of cinnamon to an apple infused water and experiment with creating your own combinations.
Besides hydration, fresh fruit infused water has other benefits:
- There is no food waste when all of the fruit is used.
- It can be low-cost flavored drink option when seasonal fruit is used.
- It contains no added sugar.
- It is eye-catching.
Michigan State University Extension recommends you try infusing your drinking water with fresh fruit to help increase the amount of water you drink and stay hydrated.
