It’s called Sassy Water… how could I not love it? The original recipe comes from a health and nutrition site which says this drink helps in maintaining a flat stomach. While the ingredients have detoxing components that aid in digestion, I’m assuming to achieve the flat tummy you also have to do a little bit of this and a little bit of that as well as drinking this refreshing concoction.
Quick and Easy to make:
2 l water
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced,
1 lemon, thinly sliced,
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
A handful of mint leaves
Combine everything in a pitcher
Chill for for a few hours or overnight
Why this helps detoxing:
Lemons contain high amounts of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, pectin, folate, vitamin A, and lutein. These ingredients make the lemon powerful fruit, giving it antibacterial, immune-boosting and digestive aid qualities. Lemons are known to increase enzyme production in the liver to improve digestion, and they ease heartburn, bloating and belching. In addition, lemons can relieve respiratory conditions, and they are good for cleaning the skin. Not only does improved digestion show up in a better complexion, but the ingredients in lemon also boost collagen production. Drinking water infused with lemon also remedies constipation and aids the bowels in eliminating waste more efficiently. In addition, drinking lemon water during a meal promotes the use of digestive juices to start the digestive process. Furthermore, lemon water, with antioxidants from its high level of vitamin C neutralizes the effects of free radicals in the blood stream. – via Livestrong
Ginger Benefits:
Historically, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects. -via World’s Healthiest Foods
Cucumber Benefits:
Cucumbers have not received as much press as other vegetables in terms of health benefits, but this widely-cultivated food provides us with a unique combination of nutrients. At the top of the phytonutrient list for cucumbers are its cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids. These three types of phytonutrients found in cucumbers provide us with valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits. - via World’s Healthiest Foods
Mint Benefits:
Mint tea alleviates gastrointestinal problems, including indigestion. It also protects the liver and supports its metabolic processes. The herb’s compounds carvocrol, thymol and menthol help relieve gas and bloating. The herbal tea also improves unpleasant breath, alleviates diarrhea and soothes diverticulitis, according to Botanical Online. - via Livestrong
Pictures and Original Recipe Adapted from Sitno