Water is the essential substance of our bodies. At night before I go to bed, I drink about a cup of water. That's because our bodies work at healing and nourishing us while we sleep, and water is their fuel.

However, I have been reading various articles about adding natural ingredients to our water to enhance the benefits. I have a list from 'Holistic Magazine' that I've been experimenting with and have seen positive results.

GINGER WATER: Supports digestion
LEMON WATER: Boosts hydration and is a natural liver cleanser
TURMERIC WATER: Controls inflammation and eases sore joints
CINNAMON WATER: Steadies blood sugar
HIBISCUS WATER: Supports blood pressure and liver health. It's also an antioxidant and improves vascular functions
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Must be diluted with water. Before meals may reduce blood sugar spikes and aids in digestion
CUCUMBER WATER: Hydrates cells, reduces puffiness and supports lymph glands

You can just add these to water, but I add to boiling water, then let cool. Of course, since many of us are on various medicines, I suggest talking to your doctor to make sure it does not affect the medications that you are taking.

Easy Eddie's Take

Sharon's right about checking with your doctor first, especially if you're taking common medications like blood thinners, diabetes medications, or blood pressure pills. If you're on warfarin or take metformin, some of these natural additions could affect how your medications work. Even natural ingredients can interact with prescriptions, so it's always worth a quick ask.

Your doctor or pharmacist can quickly tell you which of these are safe for your specific situation. Simple lemon water or cucumber water are gentle starting points that work well with most medication regimens. The key is starting with just one addition at a time and seeing how your body responds.

You're already doing the most important thing by staying hydrated. These natural boosts are just the cherry on top of an already healthy habit.