Diwali sweets, alcohol, and fried snacks – this sums up Diwali party nights for most of us, right? If you, too wake up the next day, looking for a way to wash off the festive binge, try detox drinks. Easy to make to yummy to taste, these water-based drinks may help in flushing out the toxins from our bodies and help keep the calorie count in check.

What is detox water?

Detoxification refers to the removal of toxins accumulated in the body and liver performs this function. Dietitian Garima Goyal explains, “Water is very essential for hydration and flushes out all the toxins from the body. You can use infused or detox water too. It is water that has been infused with fruits, vegetables or herbs for additional health benefits.”

Additionally, these detox water helps in weight loss, maintaining the body’s pH balance, improving digestive health, boosting immunity, increasing energy levels and skin whitening and brightening.

8 detox drinks to boost metabolism in festive season

1. 1. Lemon Cucumber Detox Water

      Sliced cucumber, lemon, and mint leaves in water. The vitamin C and antioxidants in lemon work by potentially enhancing the nutrient content of your glass of water.

   2. Ginger and Turmeric Detox

      Add Sliced ginger, a pinch of turmeric, and lemon in water. Ginger is a great digestive aid and Curcumin, a potent antioxidant in turmeric, helps to scavenge free radicals that cause oxidative stress in the body.

   3. Berry Blast Detox water

      Add mixed berries and lemon slices in water. This drink has a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

   4. Minty Watermelon Detox Drink

      Mix watermelon chunks, fresh mint leaves, and lime in water. Watermelon has vitamin A and vitamin C. Mint is known for its anti-nausea properties.

   5. Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Water

      A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, lemon, and honey in water is a great way to reduce overall caloric intake.

   6. Citrus Medley Detox Drink

      A mix of citrus fruits slices in water is a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants.

   7. Cilantro and Lime Detox Water

      Fresh cilantro leaves and lime slices in water. Both cilantro and lime contain antioxidants that prevent from cellular damage.

   8. Pomegranate and Mint Detox Water

      Pomegranate seeds and mint leaves in water. Mint is known for its digestive properties and pomegranate is rich in antioxidants namely polyphenols.

Why choose detox drinks?

For those of us who struggle to complete our water intake goals every day, detox  drinks are a saviour. “Adding a fruit of herb to water enhances its flavour and encourages more of detox water consumption instead of calorie dense sugary beverages,” says Goyal.

Besides, the ingredients such as fruits or herbs added in detox water fulfil the needs of various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

What is the best time to consume detox drinks?

There is nothing as ‘best’ time to drink detox drinks, says Goyal. Drinking it at different times during the day helps in different ways.

“Begin the day with a glass of warm water with honey and lemon as it will give a kick start to body’s metabolism,” explains Goyal, “You can sip on detox water throughout the day to stay hydrated and maintain a pleasant taste in your mouth.” Before a meal is another great time for a detox drink as it can help control your appetite. Rehydrating with detox water after a workout can be a good choice as well.

What is the right way to have detox water?

Here is the correct way to have your detox water for maximum benefit.

• Don’t gulp water, rather drink it slowly by sipping it.
• Try to have your water from copper, silver or glass container instead of plastic.
• Warm or room temperature water is the best.
• Refrain from having water during your meal as it disrupts the digestion.

What to not include in your detox water?

There are some ingredients that you must avoid. “It’s best to not have too much sugar, as it can nullify the advantages of detox water. Using artificial sweeteners may not be the best choice as they can have negative health effects. Avoid using processed fruit juices, as they are often high in added sugars,” warns Goyal. Not only sugar, but avoid excessive salt as it can lead to water retention.

How many hours do detox drinks last?

The duration for which detox water remains fresh and safe to drink largely depends on the specific ingredients used and how you store it. “The water will be just fine for 1-2 days, if the water is kept in the fridge,” says Goyal.

If left at room temperature, detox water should be consumed within a few hours.