Fall, 2000

Beyond soda: green water hydrates and refreshes
by Robin Russell

"Hydrate yourself," said my canoe companion as she passed out beers to a team of hot, sweaty paddlers. "Conquer your thirst" say the sports heroes in soft drink commercials.

While a cold beer or soda can feel really good going down, it does not quench your thirst. When alcoholic, caffeinated or excessively sweet beverages fail to hydrate our bodies what do we do? Some have learned that fresh pure water is the answer, but others try to compensate by drinking more of the same. Soda sizes in fast-food outlets are getting bigger and bigger. Next time you see an old soda bottle from the 1950s notice how small it would seem next to today's "super-big-gulp" sizes.

My husband brought home two big plastic glasses from a convenience store. Yes, they had once been filled with some sickly sweet soda which he somehow managed to consume, but he thought the glasses would be great for the tall soy milk banana shakes I make. I took one look at the glasses and said "umm. . . honey. . .these are bigger than the blender." Normally I can make two large shakes in my 48 oz (1.5 litre) blender. The glasses are 64 oz (2 litres) each! How people can consume that much sugar-laden liquid in one sitting boggles my mind (even if the consumer is a 6' 200 pound extra-thirsty guy)! The sugar rush and eventual crash must be phenomenal, not to mention the frequent bathroom visits!

Sodas aren't the only culprit. We have iced teas laden with sweetener, and sugary fruit drinks being passed off as juice. Artificial sweeteners are another story. Even juice, while an important part of our diet, isn't meant to replace daily water intake.

So why do people often choose soda or sweetened fruit drinks over water? Let's face it. Water is boring to many people. My father-in-law is always stunned when I've been out walking and ask for a glass of water when he offers me a refreshment. Water doesn't tantalize the taste buds. Even with a twist of lemon it can be ho-hum.

In my health food store travels I came upon something wonderful. . . something tasty!. . .  something refreshing!. . . something that hydrates!. . . something that energizes! It's green water--chlorophyll enriched water with mint. Sound gross? It's not. It is my new favourite cold drink to get me through the day.

I first discovered it as "H20 Plus"-- a brand name for this awesome drink. Not only does it quench my thirst but it also provides trace minerals. After a while I began to make my own in order to save money. Here's how to do it:

Get a 2 litre (64 oz) empty bottle with a screw-on cap. If you try H2O Plus you can use that empty bottle. If it's not available in your area and you don't have a suitable container at home, just get the cheapest brand of soda you can find and flush it down the toilet where it belongs. Trust me, the bottle probably accounts for more of the cost than the ingredients. The acids just might freshen your toilet bowl!

Buy a bottle of liquid chlorophyll from your local health food store. Prices will vary depending on quality, and different brands may have different percentages of chlorophyll. Get a bottle of mint extract, and you're set to go!

My formula is as follows: 1 1/2 tablespoons Bernard Jenson's liquid chlorophyll (with mint), 2 litres filtered water, and 1/2 teaspoon mint extract. You can also used distilled water if you prefer, which is the type used in H2O Plus. I plan on trying a new brand of liquid chlorophyll soon (one without artificial preservatives-- I overlooked that when I first bought it). You can make up your own formula according to your own tastes using the brand of chlorophyll you prefer.  Just make sure the amount of chlorophyll you end up drinking per day does not exceed what is recommended on the bottle. The amount I put into a 2 litre (64 oz) mixture is slightly more than what is recommended per day, and it usually takes me two days to consume an entire bottle.

Experiment by adding a slice of fresh lemon or lime to your drink. You could even try using carbonated water if you like a bubbly effect. Whatever way you like it, this drink will refresh you more than plain water, and will definitely do you more good than a soft drink.

Update, 2005

The brand name H20 Plus is no longer available but a similar product called "Aqua Vera" is now being sold in health food stores.

References

(1) Fit for LIfe, and Fit for Life II by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond (Warner Books)
(2) Why drink water? (web site) by Dr. Brett

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Copyright © 1999-2010 Robin L. Russell