Henry David Thoreau once said, “Water is the only drink for a wise man.”
When I ask people to recall everything they ate or drank in the past 24 hours, most will not mention water, yet water is one of the six nutrients our bodies need to survive. In fact, short of a miracle, the human body cannot go without water for more than a week.
We need about 2.5 quarts of water per day from drinking and eating foods to maintain good health. Adequate water intake supports digestion, elimination, hydration and dental health. “Doctoring” up our water at home has several benefits. Ginger is known to help with nausea, and lemons cleanse the mouth and dislodge phlegm. Ginger and lemon also work as powerful bacteria fighters. Cucumbers have a unique, clean taste and help to neutralize the saliva in our mouths.
Refreshing Cucumber Water
8 c. water
1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced
Soak and float cucumber in cold water several hours before serving over ice.
Ginger-Lemon Water
8 c. water
1/4 c. cup fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
1 lemon, sliced in rings
Soak ginger overnight in water. The next day, remove ginger and float lemon rings in the ginger water. Serve over ice.
Suzanne Forsberg, RD/LD, CDE, works for St. John Healthy Lifestyles.
