The 10 Best Infuser Water Bottles
Editor's Notes
September 13, 2019:
If you're trying to reduce your use of disposable plastics, you probably already own a reusable water bottle (or two). But getting your daily 8-12 cups can quickly become boring if you're just drinking plain water. An infuser bottle allows you to add flavor with few to no added calories, making it easier to stay hydrated.
Unlike many others, the Infusion Pro Premium's fruit chamber is on the bottom, so it keeps flavoring your water even when it's almost empty. Both ends are fitted with O-rings to prevent it from leaking, and it comes with two extras in case they need to be replaced. As its name suggests, the Hydracy Sport is designed for active lifestyles. Its sturdy Tritan plastic construction, leakproof design, and a metal latch on the top allow you to toss it in your backpack without worrying about ruining your laptop or important papers. The Savvy Infusion comes in 24- and 32-ounce sizes, both with sleek profiles that will fit into the cupholders in most cars, and a handle built into the lid makes it easy to carry. However, the infuser basket won't hold as much fruit as some others.
We've also included the Pure Zen Tea Tumbler, which is made from borosilicate glass, for those who don't like plastic. It's double-walled for insulation, which keeps your drink hot or cold longer. You can attach the infuser to the top or bottom, or remove it entirely to make room for more fruit.
The Benefits Of Staying Hydrated
A number of products have come out in recent years to increase water intake among adults, many of which add unhealthy dyes, sweeteners, and artificial flavors to the mix.
Water is an essential part of life. While it’s possible that life might find a way to exist somewhere in the universe in its absence, the only evidence we have so far is that, without water, you cannot have life. This is pretty common knowledge. Most people know that they need water to stay alive, that they would die of thirst long before they would die of starvation. Most people also know that their bodies, much like the surface of the world on which they live, are mostly made of water. Despite this common sense, however, the vast majority of people in the world remain poorly hydrated on a daily basis.
This may seem like a predominantly third-world problem, as nearly a billion people worldwide routinely deal with water scarcity, but the vast majority of residents in developed countries have plenty of access to safe drinking water (unless, of course, you live in Flint, Michigan). Shockingly, in a study that spanned from 2009 to 2012, researchers found that more than half of a sample population of children in the United Stated was inadequately hydrated.
When you stop and think about it, though, it begins to make some sense. American children are also at extremely high risk for obesity and diabetes. This risk factor comes from sugary beverages more than almost any other source. Sodas and fruit juices often contain immense amounts of sugar, and the latter are deceptively marketed to parents as healthier alternatives to other soft drinks.
Quite possibly the biggest problem with these drinks is that they taste good to children. They’re sweet and a little tangy. Even sugary sodas have acids added to them to give them their bite. Once kids get a taste for this kind of beverage, it’s hard to convince them to drink plain water.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to imply that a lack of hydration among the youth in the United States is a contributing factor to the country’s plummeting educational system. The quality of the individual teacher may be on the rise — with more and better degrees required by schools —, but they’re increasingly confronted with lethargic, distractible students who can’t seem to keep information in their little heads. There are a lot of factors in this problem, but hydration is a big one. Inadequate hydration leads to decreases in brain function and learning capacity, as well as increased fatigue that can make students too sleepy to remember lessons.
These issues connect to adults, as well, plenty of whom are also improperly hydrated. Poor performance at work — and even in the bedroom — can easily be traced back to a lack of sustained hydration. A number of products have come out in recent years to increase water intake among adults, many of which add unhealthy dyes, sweeteners, and artificial flavors to the mix.
Far preferable for kids and adults alike would be to find a way to add natural sugars and flavors to their water in quantities that are as healthy as they are delicious. That’s where water infusers come in. These devices allow water to take on the flavors of whatever you place in the infusion chamber, providing you with a blank canvas to create any number of tasty and responsible drinks. In short order, you will be better hydrated and creatively satisfied.
How Water Infusion Works
In order to infuse your water with flavors and additional nutrients, you only need three basic things: water; some food in the form of fruit, vegetables, herbs, or anything else you want for flavor; and a water infuser. Then, all you have to do is place the materials in the infusion chamber, secure it in your infusion bottle, and wait a while.
Often, recipes for infused water will contain ingredients commonly found in healthy juices and shakes, like ginger or mint.
To get a closer look at the process, lets take a look at a simple, popular infusion: cucumber melon water. As the slices of cucumber and melon sit in the water, and water-soluble material from the foods will slowly make its way into the drink. This happens gradually, which is why infusion is best left to occur overnight, if not longer.
In addition to flavors entering the water, nutrients will find their way in there, as well. That’s why a lot of health and wellness enthusiasts recommend infused water; you can use the natural properties found in a lot of healthy foods to increase the wellness potential of your water. Often, recipes for infused water will contain ingredients commonly found in healthy juices and shakes, like ginger or mint.
A Few Great Infusion Ideas
In order to get the most out of your infuser water bottle, do your best to prepare your concoctions ahead of time. There are a few ingredients out there that are particularly popular among infusion enthusiasts for their flavor and health properties, and knowing these can give you the power to create some delicious custom drinks.
Go to town mixing these ingredients with a wide variety of herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables.
Lemon is a classic water additive, so much so that many restaurants offer it up with their water. Tap water is often very acidic, and while lemon will add acid to your water, your liver metabolizes this citric acid in a way that increases the alkalinity of your bloodstream, bringing you closer to an ideal pH balance.
Ginger is another favorite among flavored water drinkers. Its anti-inflammatory properties are well documented, but it’s also lauded for its ability to suppress hunger. If you’re dieting, a little ginger infused in your water can make a big difference in your appetite.
It’s never a bad idea to add more natural vitamin C to your diet, and foods like oranges and strawberries are packed with it. If you want to get more creative than plain old orange, though, you can mix your strawberries with a little tangerine instead. Be sure to include the zest of your citrus fruits in your infusions, as well, as these contain a vast amount of healthy and flavorful oils.
Go to town mixing these ingredients with a wide variety of herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables. As you refine your methods, you're liable to come up with some truly unique waters, some of which may end up working wonders for your health.