The Truth About Fruit-flavored Drinks

Fruit-flavored drinks have invaded the market. More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of keeping their body hydrated and, of course, the food industry does not want to miss a new opportunity to make money.

What are the ways we can hydrate?

As temperatures rise from summer to summer, experts warn of the dangers of excessive heat. We are advised to protect ourselves from the sun, not to exercise in the hottest moments of the day, to cool down and stay hydrated.

We all know that, as the health authorities warn us, we should drink about two liters of water a day. Dehydration can cause serious metabolic and functional problems.

Water is definitely the best option to avoid dehydration. But many people have difficulty drinking this liquid in sufficient quantities, finding it tasteless and dull.

This is why alternatives such as soft drinks, juices and energy drinks have gained so much popularity. According to a report by the European Food Safety Authority, each consumer drank, on average, 49 liters of soft drinks in 2017.

The problem is that most of the drinks just listed have large amounts of added sugar. Many specialists recommend that we avoid them because of the refined sugars in their composition and the health hazards to which they expose us. So we need to try to reduce our consumption of such drinks.

The benefits of fruit-flavored beverages

Fruit-flavored drinks prepared with natural ingredients are ideal for hydrating the body. Thus, we can use them as an alternative to sugary soft drinks.

When we say “fruit flavored water” we mean infused water or water that has been processed with fruits, vegetables and spices. In this case, it is a drink as healthy as plain water.

Aromatic water can be a good option if you want to hydrate yourself with a delicious, fun and varied drink. It can also help you reduce your consumption of sugary soft drinks. Basically, you will opt for tasty moisturizing drinks that are not harmful to health.

Don’t ignore the negative points

Aromatic water has gained a place in the market due to consumers concerned about their health, who know the importance of having proper nutrition.

Water and fruit make up a very healthy combination. But not all fruit drinks on the market are what they seem. You have to be very careful what you choose to drink.

Sugar content

If you look at the packaging of certain commercial flavored drinks, you will notice that their ingredient lists include sugar and other sweeteners.

Because they contain the equivalent of 2-3 teaspoons of sugar per cup, some of them are soft drinks rather than mineral waters. In fact, many cans of soft drinks exceed the recommended daily dose of sugar.

As you can see, although you feel like you have opted for a healthier drink, you simply consume more sugar.

A long list of ingredients

You probably already know that water, fruits and vegetables are ideal ingredients when it comes to making a drink. But the ingredient lists of commercial beverages can be very long. In addition to the sugar and sweeteners mentioned above, these products contain concentrated fruit juices, artificial flavors, acidulants, preservatives and even dyes.

Obviously, a drink as healthy as mineral water should not contain such ingredients.

Plants, vitamins and minerals

We want the water we drink to hydrate us and restore our mineral deposits. With few exceptions, water should not provide other nutrients that can be obtained through food.

We need to read the packaging of the drinks carefully before buying them. It is not good to be seduced by terms such as “energizing”, “detoxifying” or “balancing”. Remember that the role of any drink is to hydrate you.

To take advantage of the medicinal properties of plants, go to specialized centers that can offer you personalized advice.

Homemade fruit-flavored drinks

The fruit-flavored drinks you make at home are healthy and ideal options for cooling off in the summer. But be sure to prepare them only with ingredients such as fruits, vegetables and spices.

If you make your own fruit-flavored drinks at home, you will be able to control the quality of the ingredients used. Be innovative and experiment with various ingredients. Try the new spices and take advantage of the fruits and vegetables you already have in the kitchen.

We advise you to follow the three rules below to prepare healthy and invigorating drinks that can be enjoyed throughout the year. You will not be short of options to serve your friends and guests!

1. Water is the main ingredient

The main ingredient in your drinks should be water. If you want, you can also use carbonated water. Simply add it at the end of the preparation process. As soon as the drink is ready, let it sit for at least 12 hours before consuming it, so that it is more fragrant. You can add ice cubes to keep it fresh when you serve it.

2. Use whatever fruit you want

Make drinks with green or yellow lemons, oranges, pineapples, mangoes, strawberries or any other fruit you like. Cut them into pieces and put them in a large jar. The smaller the pieces, the better. Grind more juicy fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries or blueberries, to release the juice and flavors. You can also add cucumber, carrots and celery to get more interesting combinations.

3. Add spices and fresh herbs

Spices and fresh herbs go great with fruit and add freshness and flavor. Cut plants like mint, basil, sage or parsley and mix them with fruit. In the case of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves or ginger, it is enough to prepare an infusion and add fruit.

Are you ready to enjoy a fruit-flavored drink? This type of liquid is a great way to hydrate yourself, as long as you make sure it contains only high quality ingredients. From now on, avoid commercial drinks, which tend to be rich in sugars and additives.