We know how important it is to drink water. We are about 60% liquid so in order to have a digestive system that functions like clockwork and keep our skin radiant (and less wrinkly!), we must also keep our bodies hydrated. Hydration is vital to various functions of the body, such as:

• Getting the nutrition and oxygen our cells need to be healthy by maintain appropriate water levels in the body.

• Avoiding inflammation and controlling blood pressure by leveling out sodium and other substances in our system.

• Fighting external pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, which is crucial right now for each of us. Hydration is a key part of keeping pathogens out of the body.

Let's be honest, drinking water in the winter is not easy – but it is still fundamentally important to supporting the immune system, our defensive bastion. We’ve developed some suggestions on how to add more hydration to your body while also making the drinking process more enjoyable. 

Wrap yourself in the warmth of teas and infusions

There is nothing more delicious than drinking hot tea on a cold winter day. If you choose well, you can add much more than just liquid to your body. Most herbal teas or infusions have a wealth of benefits, for example:

• Ginger tea is a liquid anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in a cup. It supports the defenses and is excellent at reducing sore throat symptoms and flu discomfort. Its ingredients have been widely studied, including as a potential treatment towards cancer. For days when your body isn’t regulating temperature well and you find yourself wrapped in a thick blanket, drink ginger tea to help yourself feel better.

• A cup of green tea supports heart health, reduces cholesterol and blood pressure, and provides antioxidants to support the regeneration of cells and boost metabolism. It provides a boost to the body’s defenses by supporting the immune system. Several recent studies support the use of a catechin, the main ingredient in green tea, as a potential therapeutic agent in preventing and improving autoimmune inflammatory disease related to T-cells, which are responsible for eliminating pathogens from our body.

• Add cinnamon to your tea or infusion for a sensory delight of smell and taste, as well as a helping hand to your health. This pleasant spice is a powerful anti-inflammatory that also supports the regulation of blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol, improves digestion and benefits immune cells.

Refresh with fruit juices

A very cold fruit juice may not be very desirable in the middle of winter, but you don't need to prepare it with ice to make it delicious. You can make it with room temperature water and fresh fruit, and it will still be just as tasty. The important thing is to make sure to add the right nutrients you need. You can even incorporate dried fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries, apples, mango or pineapple, by adding hot water and letting it steep for a few hours. Drink the water and eat the fruit as a snack, or process everything in a blender. You will get a refreshing juice without having to add any sugar.
Some fruits you can use during the winter are:

• Blueberries, because they are loaded with polyphenols, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and flavonoids, elements that also fight inflammation and support our cardiovascular health. Blackberries are excellent for boosting immunity as well as preventing and treating urinary infections.
• Pomegranates are another great option that help the digestive and immune system. They’re packed with antioxidants and flavonoids that help fight off oxidative stress and toxins. Pomegranates also support heart health by lowering cholesterol and facilitating blood flow.
• A fresh tomato juice is another excellent addition to your daily diet. Tomatoes have lycopene which helps fight inflammation, especially in the prostate for men, and there are studies that show they support the fight against heart disease by controlling LDL (bad cholesterol). It is best to prepare tomato juice at home to avoid excess sodium and added sugar. A good mix is to blend one tomato, a glass of water and some basil leaves for a delicious and healthy beverage.

Power up your body with green vegetables

Vegetables are delicious in salad, prepared as soup and even enjoyed as a juice. There are those who complain about the taste, but that’s just because they’re mixing in way too many vegetables that result in an intense shake. It’s better to add only one or two greens and a piece of fruit like pineapple, apple or pear. Carrot is a great fruit alternative, and a little bit of lemon juice or ginger goes a long way.

• Add avocado for some good fats, potassium, fiber and other nutrients. Studies show that avocado decreases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, in addition to improving energy levels. You also get a smoother texture to your beverage with better taste.

• Another good option are green leaves like spinach, which provide oxidative breakdown and support the immune system. If you don’t eat it in salad, you may find it more appealing in a juice blended with green apple, lemon and basil.

• Cucumber provides hydration, is anti-inflammatory and a diuretic. It supports cell nutrition and the nervous system with its high content of vitamin B and has been proven to help control sugar and lipids in the body.

• Celery has a lot of fiber, vitamins and minerals, like potassium, that help eliminate toxins from the body. It also has important therapeutic effects by controlling sugar, weight and several other issues.

Be sure to add enough water to make a juice instead of a shake. Alternate drinking juice and plain water throughout the day. Dare to try different flavors and beat the winter blues with proper hydration!

Let's be healthier, together!

Your friends at Santo Remedio

References
Immunomodulating effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea: mechanisms and applications (1)
Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ginger in Health and Physical Activity: Review of Current Evidence (2)
Cinnamon: Mystic powers of a minute ingredient (3)
American cranberries and health benefits - an evolving story of 25 years (4)
Punica granatum (Pomegranate) activity in health promotion and cancer prevention (7) 
Enhancing the Health-Promoting Effects of Tomato Fruit for Biofortified Food (8)
Avocado consumption is associated with better diet quality and nutrient intake, and lower metabolic syndrome risk in US adults: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001–2008 (9)
Functional properties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) phytochemicals and bioactives (10)
Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber (11)
A Review of the Antioxidant Activity of Celery (Apium graveolens L) (12)