Water is the source of all life, and is clearly the most important liquid on our planet: it doesn’t get much better than that, does it? Wrong.
Still, not all drinking water is created equal, and not all drinking water is delicious. Fortunately for all of us (drink at least half an ounce of water per pound of body weight per day), there are some quick and easy ways to improve the overall taste quality of our water. In fact, water can be as subtle as a glass of wine, which is why we now have water experts and sommeliers to steer our palates in a tastier direction.
Tips to make water taste better
Erik Lalak is A researcher and co-creator of A water purification device, Ańalemma. Iris Perez is a sommelier at Maitre D ‘Hotel and at Disney World’s Victoria and Albert restaurant. He believes the first step to increasing your drinking volume is to make sure the water you drink tastes good. Each spoke to Yahoo Life about their own ways to make water more palatable, from the delicious citrus herb enhancement to the need for a good strainer.
filter
The Brita water filter is your friend — at least when it comes to improving the taste of your water.
“The fastest way to change the taste of water is filtration,” Laarakker says.
Perez echoed that sentiment, explaining the detailed process that goes into making sure the water quality in the restaurant is superior to other restaurants. “We chose a filtration system to remove sediment and biological matter from the local water supply,” he explained. “The system first performs carbon filtration, which removes particles larger than 0.5 microns and removes the smell of chlorine in many urban water.”
Instead of drinking straight from the tap, consider buying a water filter that will filter out anything but one molecule of oxygen and two molecules of hydrogen in the water.
Consider buying filtered bottled water? Forget it.
“Water should be in glass bottles, not plastic ones,” Laarakker advises. “Especially where the temperature is high. The heat affects the plastic and it starts to dissolve in the water, changing its taste and quality. The best water should be pure water, not pure water or bottled water.”
Carbonate,
Whether you prefer canned sparkling water or soda, adding bubbles is a great way to spruce up your standard Adam beer. You can even choose a naturally carbonated drink, such as Ferrarelle or Perez’s favorite, Badoit, a mineral water from France.
Yes, carbonated water is just as hydrating as standing water. You may hear some hiccups and stomach growling sounds during your trip.
It tastes
Adding flavored powders or liquids to your water, or filling a pitcher with water, are all great ways to enhance your drinking experience.
“I love adding high-quality organic vanilla to the water,” Laaraaker shared. “Because water holds the memory of whatever you put in, the healing effects of the herbs will penetrate through the water, through the water, and into the body.”
Some popular flavor combinations include orange and rosemary, lemon and thyme, cucumber and mint, although you can use almost any fruit and herb to make up your own innovative flavors.
As one of Perez’s favorite blends proves, flavored water complements food as well as wine, which includes citrus zest, pomelo, juniper, parsley and rosemary to match the earthy flavor of Victoria and Albert’s cauliflower and caviar dishes.
How to motivate yourself to drink more water
Sticking to the aforementioned half-ounce per pound of body weight can be quite difficult, especially for busy people, but there are simple ways to encourage healthier hydration habits.
Invest in a motivational — or more advanced — water bottle
Many water bottles and kettles are as old as the “Live, Laugh, Love” signs on Etsy, but some – stamped with levels, time of day and motivational messages such as “You can do it” or “Almost there” – can actually encourage you to finish what you’ve started.
But if you absolutely can’t stand these, invest in a high-tech or trendy alternative that will encourage you to eat full every day. Not only does it keep your water cold, but its sleek and modern design can go with any head-to-toe look. You’ll also use less plastic, which ultimately helps the environment.
Change your routine and combine it with another habit
Aside from filtration, carbonation, or flavoring techniques for water, it may be in your best interest to add a spell of goo-goo to your daily routine. For example, when you take vitamins, drink a whole glass. Before brushing your teeth, drink a full glass. Finish that glass of wine before you begin to eat. Doing so will eventually become second nature and you’ll hit your daily hydration goal without even realizing it.
Find other sources of water through food
There are many fruits and vegetables mainly composed of water. These fruits include cucumbers, watermelons, tomatoes, apples, celery and peaches. Fresh fruits and vegetables will not only increase your intake, but also boost your immune system with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants — a win-win!
More active
Take 30 minutes a day to go for a walk or jog. Even the smallest amount of activity can activate thirst and you’ll want to quench it immediately.
Change your attitude towards water
“The best way for people to motivate themselves to drink more water is to understand what water is and what it does in our bodies,” Laarakker said.
“There are many worlds hidden in water. People don’t realize that 99 percent of our molecules are water, “he added. “We’re basically very smart H2O. That’s why the quality of the water we drink has a very big impact on our overall health. The right water can rejuvenate your entire biological system, it can powerfully affect your microbiome, and it can affect your state of mind by enhancing your brain waves.”
Since your brain is mostly made up of water, think of drinking water as an experience that is not only beneficial, but downright beneficial.