This story has been updated since it was originally posted on 8/22/22 to include more ingredients
While staying hydrated is important for weight loss, it doesn’t have to be boring! We checked in with registered dietitians, nutritionists and other health experts who recommended 4 fun ways to add more flavor to your water for better digestion, to boost energy needed for exercise, and to take on your day. Read on for tips, insight and suggestions from Dr. Suzanna Wong, health expert and co-founder of Twin Waves Wellness Center, Sunny Jain, MS, founder and CEO of Sun Genomics, and Paulina Lee, MS, RD, founder of Savvy Stummy.
1. Lemon
Water with lemon juice squeezed in "helps to stimulate your digestive system, helping to ease your bloating," Wong explains. Lemon water is also always a great go-to "if you get gas or griping pains during the day as well for the same reason," she adds. "By stimulating your digestive system, it helps to push everything through so that you don't feel bloated or gassy."
Jain agrees, and says that "lemons are overflowing with Vitamin C, so incorporating them into meals or adding a few slices to your water bottle can give a hefty boost to the immune system." Also, the acids in your stomach mirror the acids in lemon juice. "Drinking lemon water stimulates your liver to produce more bile, which enables your digestive tract to keep up a smooth-running operation," he points out.
2. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are high in fiber, Jain stresses, "which helps with digestion by preventing constipation." This, he notes, is vital if your goal is to lose weight, as they can keep you fuller for longer, and adding them to your water can help you feel even more refreshed. They also contain vitamin B, which Jain says "plays a role in energy levels and brain function."
In addition, cucumbers contain antioxidants such as beta carotene, which are known to fight free radicals in your body, as well as unpaired electrons that damage cells and can lead to disease.
Cucumbers, as many may know, also provide health benefits for your skin when applied, to your eyes and face. Ultimately, as Jain and Wong point out, whether you've been advised to add lemons or cucumbers to your water before, or are just thinking of doing so now, these timeless tips are promoted time and time again by weight loss experts for a reason!
3. Dandelion
If you're looking for another beverage that can help aid digestion, you may want to consider brewing up some dandelion tea. You can do this by either adding dandelion flowers to boiling water and steeping for 10-15 minutes or letting dandelion soak in cold water for 4-6 if you prefer an iced tea.
Lee points out that research suggests that "dandelions increase gastric motility, thereby easing digestion," noting that it's a gentle digestive bitter, which can improve appetite and digestion, and support liver and detox function. "Bitter digestives can help relieve upset stomach, bloating, gas, and constipation," she tells us.
But the gut-healthy benefits don't stop there: "Dandelion also contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as inulin, a prebiotic and dietary fiber, found in dandelion, feeds beneficial gut bacteria," Lee says. Incredible!
4. Fennel seeds
Fennel is another incredible, bloat-blasting ingredient you should consider adding to your diet if you want to promote healthier digestion. "Fennel has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial powers that assist in balancing the gut microbiome and relieving bloating," Lee explains. She tells us that fennel seeds, in particular, "increase gut motility and help loosen up the digestive muscles."
There are several ways to consume fennel seeds (including by the handful, if you like), but Lee suggests making them into a tea. "When made into a warm tea, fennel seed tea can help relax your digestion and ease upset stomach, flatulence, and diarrhea," she concludes.
