As you may or may not know, water is an essential nutrient.  While not a provider of calories, our bodies require around 8 to 12 cups of water each day in order to function properly.  Water makes up about 72% of muscle weight and represents 40 to 60 percent of our total body weight.  By regulating thirst and controlling urine output our bodies are able to keep a delicate water balance.  However, when this balance is not maintained our body's ability to function is drastically compromised.

Now that you understand just why water is essential and have an idea about how much water to consume each day, why stop with just plain ole water when you can spice it up with citrus and add some essential vitamins and minerals to the mix.  Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerines, and mandarins are rich in vitamin C and potassium which collectively aid in enhancing immune function and maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in our bodies.  In addition to these effects, citrus water is just an all around energy booster that is suitable for consumption throughout the day, especially before, during, and after exercise.

How To Make Citrus Water

Adding citrus to water is easy and can be done right at home.  Oranges, lemons, and limes make one of the tastiest combinations but be sure to choose quality fruits. Fresh oranges, lemons, and limes are of the best quality when they are well-colored, firm, and heavy with fine-textured skin.  If you purchase organic fruits you can just wash them with water.  Otherwise, you should soak or spray inorganic fruits with a biodegradable wash and rinse them well.

Once your fruits are properly cleaned, they are ready to be sliced and added to water.  The recipe combination is simple: 1 orange, 1 lemon, and 1 lime. Slice each fruit into rounds and then split each round.  Once they are sliced and split, you can add these fruits to a 1-gallon pitcher filled with drinking water.  Stir your citrus water well, chill it, and then enjoy!

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Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a physician for advice.