Should You Buy or DIY? The Best Detox Drinks For Full-Body Cleansing

There’s nothing more satisfying on a hot day than a cool, refreshing beverage. And while a crisp soft drink — or an ice cold beer — are hard to beat, we recommend dabbling in drinks that are both delicious and optimize your health at the same time. Loaded with nutritional benefits, kickstart your health this season with a delicious detox drink.

Health Benefits of Detox Drinks

Detox drinks are a delicious way to reboot your system. In addition to delivering enhanced hydration, these drinks can offer a myriad of health benefits from head to toe.

Removal of Toxins

The basic science behind it goes like this: To do their best, your body's cells need to be repaired regularly. (kinda like your neighbor's beloved '93 Honda.) These repairs result in a bit of a mess, and that waste isn't great for your body. In fact, if left to accumulate, it can become potentially harmful.
 
That's where the detox drinks come in. Detox drinks help your body quickly and safely flush those unwanted materials through your body’s natural cleansing systems and out of your body forever. (Sidenote: Toxins also vacate via sweat and breath.) By aiding in your body’s natural detoxification processes like this, they also help cleanse your liver, which in turn makes your liver better at cleaning your blood.

Increased Hydration

Just like you, detox drinks are typically water-based. That's not why they're heavy hitters when it comes to keeping you hydrated. Studies show that water with a small amount of sugar, protein, or fat provides even better hydration than water alone.¹

Weight Loss

Because most are mainly water, they're usually either low in calories or completely calorie-free. If you're trying to drop a few pounds, ditch the calorie-heavy drinks and artificial sweeteners. With that, make sure you follow the directions on how to take your detox and don't overdo it. Detoxes are made to enhance your body's health, so let's keep it that way!

Clearer Skin

Another perk to a well-hydrated body is the wonders it does for your complexion. Detoxes nourish your skin by:

• Keeping oil in check
• Boosting your skin's elasticity
• Minimizing wrinkles
• Increasing your skin's defenses against free radicals and pollutants
• Helping your skin flush toxins
• Decreasing dullness

Improved Energy

If you're tired 24/7, your kids, job, or raging social life may not be entirely to blame. You may just be thirsty!
 
When you're dehydrated even a little bit, it can make you feel like you're moving in slow motion. Detoxes elevate your energy and help you sustain it. Improved mood, restful sleep, and increased mental focus are all commonly part of the deal. 

 

Better Digestion

Water offers a wealth of health benefits, but the add-ins are the real stars. Many of the most popular flavor infusions, such as lemon and ginger, are powerful detoxifiers that can lead to smoother digestion and eliminate occasional bloating. 

Balanced pH Levels

Just like a fish tank, your body needs to keep its pH levels in check if it wants to thrive. It's quite literally a balancing act, and if your body becomes too acidic — i.e., its pH levels are high — it can wreak havoc on your entire system. It's not hyperbole to say that almost every disease flourishes in an acidic environment. The best detox drinks help rid your body of toxic materials and keep you level.

Reduced Inflammation

If healthier joints are part of your plan, several spices are popular detox drink ingredients and known inflammation fighters. They include:

• Turmeric
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Clove
• Cayenne pepper

At Home Detox Drinks

A detox can always do your body some good. Best of all? You can achieve these benefits with ingredients from your own kitchen. Here are three of our favorites:

Lemon and Cucumber

This refreshing beverage offers XL hydration with plenty of antioxidants. And water with lemon and cucumber can even lower your risk of cancer thanks to the flavonoids in cucumber.

To make it:

1. Slice one lemon and one cucumber into relatively thin slices.
2. Layer the lemons around the bottom of a glass and top with ice cubes to keep in place.
3. Repeat with the cucumber slices and another layer of ice.
4. Add purified water and let it sit for a few minutes so the flavors can sink in before you start sipping.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon

This twist on a lemon detox drink swaps out the cucumber for a mix of 2 tablespoons unfiltered apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons honey. (Use lemon slices, or use 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.) Add water, mix gently, and let sit for a few minutes before drinking.
 
Why apple cider vinegar? In addition to eliminating toxins from your body, it can: 

• Aid digestion
• Increase good gut bacteria
• Soothe and nourish your skin
• Stabilize your body's pH levels
• Promote weight loss and control

Lemon and Cayenne Pepper

Sometimes referred to as the "master cleanse," this fiery mix of flavors aids in digestion, breaks up and removes toxins from your body, and makes your kidneys sparkle. Here what you need: 

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• A pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 8 ounces purified water

Mix all of the above together and drink promptly.

Detox Drinks You Can Buy

If you don’t have time to whip up your own, consider buying premade drinks instead! Sometimes, convenience is crucial. When you're short for time, stock your fridge with some of these prepared cleanses:

Detoxify Ready Clean Herbal Cleanse

Available in two delectable flavors — tropical fruit and grape — this gentle cleanse uses a mix of vitamins and minerals. Plus, Detoxify's proprietary blend of herbal extracts, including burdock root, uva ursi leaf, milk thistle seed, and stinging nettle leaf to flush toxins from your system.

 
For best results, shake well before drinking. Wait for 15 minutes, and then fill your empty 16-ounce Ready Clean bottle with water; give it another shake and drink.

Detoxify XXtra Clean Herbal Cleanse

Thirsty for more? Opt for this grape-flavored detox drink. At 20 ounces, it packs an even stronger toxin-fighting punch. In addition to Detoxify's proprietary herbal blend, it includes American ginseng root extract to support healthy, sustained energy while reducing feelings of stress and improving mood.

Shake it up before drinking it down. Wait 15 minutes, then fill the XXtra Clean container with water. Shake that, give it a swill and look forward to a cleaner system, increased energy, and a better mood.

Detoxify Mega Clean Herbal Cleanse

We've saved the biggest and best for last. This 32-ounce detox drink cleanses your digestive, circulatory and urinary systems — and it does so quickly. It pulls its detoxifying power from a handful of gentle yet potent sources. That includes Detoxify's proprietary herbal blend, American ginseng root extract, guarana seed extract, and taurine (for an extra burst of energy). If you're serious about rebooting your body from head to toe, this may be the ready-made cleanse for you.

For best results, you know the drill: Shake it up, and shake it thoroughly. Drink all 32 ounces of toxin-busting, tropical fruit-flavored goodness. Sit tight for 15 minutes, then refill your Mega Clean bottle with water, shake it up, and drink.

Whether your detox drinks are homemade, store-bought, or a mix of both- what's important is a healthier you. Find a few drinks that you love, don't be afraid to experiment with new flavors, and reap the plentiful benefits of a clean and well-cared-for body.