Expert's opinion
Expert's opinion
The article is a subjective view on this topic written by writers specializing in medical writing.
It may reflect on a personal journey surrounding struggles with an illness or medical condition, involve product comparisons, diet considerations, or other health-related opinions.
Although the view is entirely that of the writer, it is based on academic experiences and scientific research they have conducted; it is fact-checked by a team of degreed medical experts, and validated by sources attached to the article.
The numbers in parenthesis (1,2,3) will take you to clickable links to related scientific papers.
Detox Water For Weight Loss 2024: 10 Best Detox Drinks For You To Lose Weight
Updated on
- Written by Jennifer Olejarz, Nutritionist & Health Coach
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
Detox Water For Weight Loss: Detoxing is all the rage — but is it really worth it?
The word detox is almost synonymous with dieting, which usually dreads feelings of despair. After all, who wants to restrict their favorite foods and just chug cayenne lemon water all day long?
Luckily, a detoxification or detox drink can just be a new way to spark an interest in drinking more water while experimenting with fun flavors and some mood-boosting nutrients.
So if you want to try it and drink detox water for a change, read on. Because whether you’re a fan of detox water for weight loss or not, these recipes can leave you feeling much more satisfied than with water alone.
10 Best Detox Waters For Weight Loss
- Blueberry Lavender
- Pineapple Basil
- Watermelon Rosemary
- Grapefruit Mint
- Strawberry Thyme
- Orange Basil
- Blackberry Sage
- Lemon Cucumber
- Ginger Turmeric
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Best Detox Water For Weight Loss – 10 Healthy Detox Drinks 2024
Blueberry Lavender
Blueberries are known to be a great source of antioxidants that can help improve brain function[1] and reduce inflammation. Meanwhile, lavender is a natural stress reliever that can reduce anxiety[2] and improve sleep quality. Combining these two together offers rich flavor, satisfaction, and maybe even a calmer mind.
To make this refreshing drink, mix a cup of fresh blueberries and a few sprigs of fresh lavender in a water pitcher.
Pineapple Basil
This pineapple detox water for weight loss is high in antioxidants and bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion[3]. Pineapple is a bit higher in sugar than other fruit, but it’s so nutrient-rich and digestive-friendly that when eaten in moderation, it’s not a problem. After all, healthy sugars never need to be completely avoided.
Basil[4] is also anti-inflammatory and can improve your skin.[5] So if you’re looking for a detox water recipe for weight loss and clear skin, this is the one.
To make this detox drink, combine one cup of fresh pineapple chunks and a handful of fresh basil leaves in a water pitcher. You can blend it with some ice for a cool summer drink.
Watermelon Rosemary
Watermelon is mostly water, so it’s especially hydrating and may help reduce inflammation.[6] It’s rich in vitamins A and C, which helps the immune system and protects against disease. It might even help you lose weight, thanks to its water-filling effects. A 2019 study showed that people who were overweight and ate watermelon instead of low-fat cookies daily for a month felt less hungry[7] and lost weight.
Rosemary is also an antioxidant and may improve memory and concentration[8] and help prevent brain aging. The two combined offer rich flavor with a touch of sweetness and savory richness.
Add two cups of chopped watermelon and one sprig of fresh rosemary to a pitcher of water to make it.
Grapefruit Mint
Grapefruit[9] is high in immune and energy-rich vitamins C, A, and some B vitamins. And since it’s a citrus that’s low in sugar, it’s also great for those with diabetes. It’s high in fiber and can help you feel fuller for longer, which might indirectly help you eat less and lose weight. Meanwhile, mint can help relieve nausea[10] and even act as an anti-diabetic, making it the perfect low-sugar detox drink.
Add one sliced grapefruit and a handful of fresh mint leaves to a pitcher of water, and let it sit for at least a few minutes before serving.
Strawberry Thyme
Strawberries[11] are high in antioxidants and may improve heart health and weight loss thanks to their high fiber and nutrient content. Thyme[12] is also incredibly anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, making it great for your gut health and immune system. This sweet and savory combo is packed with flavor and is a great sweet summertime treat.
Mix one cup of sliced strawberries and a few sprigs of fresh thyme in a pitcher of water to make it.
Orange Basil
Oranges[13] are high in vitamin C and may help with weight loss since they’re low in sugar and high in fiber. This fruit gives tons of energy because of its nutrients, slow sugar release, its burst of flavor, and high hydration, without many calories. Meanwhile, basil[14] can help reduce inflammation and maybe even your acne, making it a great option for someone looking to avoid sugar for clearer skin.
Add one sliced orange and a handful of fresh basil leaves to a water pitcher and let it infuse before drinking.
Blackberry Sage
Blackberries[15] are high in antioxidants and may help with digestion, while sage[16] can also help improve memory. It’s a rich combination of flavors packed with plant chemicals like anthocyanins,[17] which helps reduce cardiovascular disease and improve brain function.
To make it, combine one cup of fresh blackberries and a few fresh sage leaves in a water pitcher.
Lemon Cucumber
Lemon detox water for weight loss is one of the most popular detox drink recipes around. Lemon[18] is a natural diuretic that helps digestion, while cucumber[19] is hydrating and may help reduce inflammation. It’s got a blend of sharp citrus flavor with calming cucumber, making it simple yet effective.
Combine one sliced lemon and one sliced cucumber in a pitcher of water.
Ginger Turmeric
This is a great morning detox drink for weight loss, thanks to its tummy-soothing yet invigorating kick of spice.
Ginger[20] and turmeric[21] both have anti-inflammatory properties and may help your digestive system, especially if you’re not feeling well. Whenever you eat turmeric, however, you want to include black pepper[22] since it helps turmeric absorption and increases its anti-inflammatory abilities.
To make this drink, add one teaspoon of ginger slices and one-half to one teaspoon of turmeric to a pitcher of water. You can also add some cinnamon, honey, and black pepper to taste.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This ingredient has been trending for a few years now, claiming it will help you lose weight and belly fat. Adding apple cider vinegar may help regulate blood sugar levels[23] and aid in weight loss, but be careful not to consume too much since it can cause digestive discomfort due to apple cider vinegar acidity. On top of that, there really aren’t enough studies done to prove it can directly lead to weight loss.
Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a liter of water. You can add a bit of honey, cinnamon, freshly grated ginger, and lemon juice to give it more flavor.
What Is Detox Water?
When you add extra nutrient-rich ingredients to your water, you can automatically call it detox water.
It’s a vague term that implies you’re consuming something that will help your body get rid of toxins, boost your energy, and help you lose weight.
Normally, it’s infused with fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs. You could also call it fruit-infused water for weight loss, and it would offer the same health benefits.
Is Detox Drink Really Good For Weight Loss?
Detox water can help you lose weight — but in an indirect way. That’s because the fruits, vegetables, and herbs in detox waters may help with:
- Hydration.
- Increasing fiber.
- Adding nutrients.
- Improving digestion
- Reducing inflammation.
- Boosting immune function.
- Increasing energy levels and mood.
Detox waters don’t make you burn fat or shed pounds, but they can contribute to many health benefits that together lead to weight loss over time.
How To Make Detox Water For Weight Loss?
Most weight loss detox water recipes follow the same format: add chopped fruit, vegetables, and herbs to about four cups of water. You can also crush the fruit and leave it overnight in the fridge for added intensity.
Risks & Precautions
Anything that’s marketed as detox tends to come with a long list of unbelievable health benefits. Naturally, there are many myths surrounding what exactly a detox is, so let’s bust the main ones:
Detox Diets Don’t Exist
Your body has its own natural detoxification system, so calling something detox is extremely vague. Many diets claim they flush toxins, burn fat, and aid weight loss. Unfortunately, there’s no significant evidence[24] that a detox diet will help you detoxify or lose weight.
So if you see any marketing for weight loss detox drinks, know it’s just that — marketing.
And if you think you need to buy supplements or detox drinks to lose belly fat, you don’t. Instead, aim to focus on slowly developing one healthy habit at a time.
High Risk Of Disordered Eating
If you rely on strict diets or detox drinks to lose belly fat and weight, you might also lose nutrients and develop disordered eating habits.[25] You could end up going overly restrictive, which often leads to binging[26] and weight gain, creating a yo-yo dieting cycle.
Eating a well-balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and plant-based proteins or lean meats will give you the most long-lasting health benefits. It’s not easy to start, but research shows that developing one habit at a time[27] while giving yourself plenty of self-compassion[28] is the best way to begin.
The Bottom Line
Detox drinks might be a great way to help you experiment with new fruits and vegetables.
Just remember, losing weight doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not a linear process, either, so be sure to think about the big picture. If you want to develop healthy habits for weight loss, focus on your mindset toward healthy living, too.
Ultimately, the best detox water for weight loss is simply the one you enjoy the most. Plus, if drinking detox water is going to help you avoid sugary drinks, it’s well worth giving it a try.
And if adding some extra herbs, fruit, and vegetables makes your water taste better, perks you up, and makes you drink more — why not?
+ 28 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Kalt, W., Cassidy, A., Howard, L.R., Krikorian, R., Stull, A.J., Tremblay, F. and Zamora-Ros, R. (2020). Recent Research on the Health Benefits of Blueberries and Their Anthocyanins. Advances in Nutrition, [online] 11(2), pp.224–236. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz065.
- zaleska (2021). How Lavender Can Improve Your Health. [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-benefits-of-lavender/.
- Debnath, P., Dey, P., Chanda, A. and Bhakta, T. (2012). A Survey on Pineapple and its medicinal value. Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy (SAJP) Scholars Academic & Scientific Publishers, [online] (1). Available at: https://saspublishers.com/media/articles/SASP11_24-29_vMVRj7M.pdf.
- International Journal of Food Properties. (2020). Chemical components and pharmacological benefits of Basil (Ocimum basilicum): a review. [online] Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10942912.2020.1828456.
- Singletary, K. (2018). Basil: A Brief Summary of Potential Health Benefits. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324085682_Basil_A_Brief_Summary_of_Potential_Health_Benefits.
- International Journal of Food Properties. (2019). Watermelon as a potential fruit snack. [online] Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10942912.2019.1584212.
- Lum, T., Connolly, M., Marx, A., Beidler, J., Hooshmand, S., Kern, M., Liu, C. and Hong, M. (2019). Effects of Fresh Watermelon Consumption on the Acute Satiety Response and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults. Nutrients, [online] 11(3), p.595. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11030595.
- Moss, M. and Oliver, L. (2012). Plasma 1,8-cineole correlates with cognitive performance following exposure to rosemary essential oil aroma. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, [online] 2(3), pp.103–113. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/2045125312436573.
- Italian Journal of Animal Science. (2020). Effect of dietary orange and grapefruit peel on growth performance, health status, meat quality and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens. [online] Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1828051X.2020.1845576.
- Tafrihi, M., Imran, M., Tufail, T., Gondal, T.A., Caruso, G., Sharma, S., Sharma, R., Atanassova, M., Atanassov, L., Valere Tsouh Fokou, P. and Pezzani, R. (2021). The Wonderful Activities of the Genus Mentha: Not Only Antioxidant Properties. Molecules, [online] 26(4), p.1118. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26041118.
- ACS Publications. (2016). Promising Health Benefits of the Strawberry: A Focus on Clinical Studies. [online] Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b00857.
- Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (2019). Understanding the potential benefits of thyme and its derived products for food industry and consumer health: From extraction of value-added compounds to the evaluation of bioaccessibility, bioavailability, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. [online] Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2018.1477730.
- Etebu, E. and Nwauzoma, A. (2014). A REVIEW ON SWEET ORANGE (CITRUS SINENSIS L Osbeck): HEALTH, DISEASES AND MANAGEMENT. [online] 2(2), p.33. Available at: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=3fb01c8f80b772041eeed3f272a17017a814ef0d.
- Singletary, K.W. (2018). Basil: A Brief Summary of Potential Health Benefits. Nutrition Today, [online] 53(2), pp.92–97. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/nt.0000000000000267.
- Vemana Gowd, Bao, T., Wang, L., Huang, Y., Chen, S., Zheng, X., Cui, S. and Chen, W. (2018). Antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of blackberry after gastrointestinal digestion and human gut microbiota fermentation. Food Chemistry, [online] 269, pp.618–627. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.07.020.
- Lopresti, A.L. (2016). Salvia (Sage): A Review of its Potential Cognitive-Enhancing and Protective Effects. Drugs in R&D, [online] 17(1), pp.53–64. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40268-016-0157-5.
- Kong, J.-M., Lian Sai Chia, Goh, N.-K., Chia, T.T. and Brouillard, R. (2003). Analysis and biological activities of anthocyanins. Phytochemistry, [online] 64(5), pp.923–933. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9422(03)00438-2.
- Mohanapriya, M., Ramaswamy, L. and Rajendran, R. (2013). HEALTH AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF LEMON (CITRUS LIMONUM). International Journal Of Ayurvedic And Herbal Medicine, [online] 3, p.1. Available at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d26cb57c067540001f8a891/t/5d703a536a06240001dad958/1567636051895/Lemon_Research.pdf.
- Murad, H. and Nyc, M. (2016). EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF CUCUMBERS FOR IMPROVED HEALTH AND SKIN CARE. Journal of Aging Research & Clinical Practice©, [online] 5(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.14283/jarcp.2016.108.
- Singletary, K.W. (2010). Ginger. Nutrition Today, [online] 45(4), pp.171–183. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/nt.0b013e3181ed3543.
- Singletary, K.W. (2020). Turmeric. Nutrition Today, [online] 55(1), pp.45–56. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/nt.0000000000000392.
- Hewlings, S. and Kalman, D. (2017). Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods, [online] 6(10), p.92. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6100092.
- Iman, M., Seyed Adel Moallem and Barahoyee, A. (2019). Effect of apple cider vinegar on blood glucose level in diabetic mice. Pharmaceutical Sciences, [online] 20(4), pp.163–168. Available at: https://ps.tbzmed.ac.ir/Article/PHARM_1559_20141222141412.
- Klein, A.V. and Kiat, H. (2014). Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, [online] 28(6), pp.675–686. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.12286.
- Reichenberger, J., Schnepper, R., Arend, A., Richard, A., Voderholzer, U., Naab, S. and Blechert, J. (2021). Emotional eating across different eating disorders and the role of body mass, restriction, and binge eating. International Journal of Eating Disorders, [online] 54(5), pp.773–784. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23477.
- Burton, A.L. and Abbott, M.J. (2017). Conceptualising Binge Eating: A Review of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature. Behaviour Change, [online] 34(3), pp.168–198. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/bec.2017.12.
- Dalton, A.N. and Spiller, S. (2012). Too Much of a Good Thing: The Benefits of Implementation Intentions Depend on the Number of Goals. [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228439252_Too_Much_of_a_Good_Thing_The_Benefits_of_Implementation_Intentions_Depend_on_the_Number_of_Goals.
- Inwood, E. and Ferrari, M. (2018). Mechanisms of Change in the Relationship between Self-Compassion, Emotion Regulation, and Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, [online] 10(2), pp.215–235. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12127.
Written by:
Jennifer Olejarz, Nutritionist & Health Coach
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
