I’ve spent a decent amount of time in Europe this summer. That’s not to humble brag for the sake of sounding annoying but rather to ask: Do Europeans drink any water? Or, are Americans just very, very thirsty? Though I’m not a self-professed Stanley girlie—I find the idea of toting around 40 ounces of water deeply inconvenient—I am used to always having an ice-cold glass of H20 within reach. I’ve never thought much of it, occasionally only elevating my water with a few citrus slices. But in the widespread push to make everything aesthetically appealing, our hydration habits are getting an upgrade. Sexy water has entered the chat.
We can all agree that proper hydration is essential for everything from digestion to supporting detoxification to improving cognitive function. But is it sexy? With our understanding of the word reaching new liberal heights (even vacuum cleaners now garner the label), it seems that with a little zhooshing, meeting our daily hydration goals can be a transformative experience.
Featured image from our interview with Mary Ralph Bradley.
What is sexy water?
The term “sexy water” entered the wellness lexicon in October 2023 when TikTok creator Kelly Stranick first posted about her leveled-up hydration routine. In the video (part 1 of her “sexy water series”), Stranick explains that she began infusing her water with fruits, veggies, and supplements to upgrade and boost the benefits of plain drinking water. She thinks of it as a way to make this key element of her wellness routine fun. And as we know, romanticizing your life can help you commit to healthy habits—no matter how mundane.
It’s important to note, as she does in the video, that Stranick is not a physician or nutritionist. She adds that she learned about the purported benefits of her sexy water supplements by what she’s “read online.” While we love the idea of improving water’s appeal, we wanted experts’ takes before diving into the trend. Ahead, Jessica Sepel, nutritionist and founder of JSHealth, and Edie Horstman, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (INHC) and Nutrition Consultant (CNC), break down the benefits, myths, and everything to know about the sexy water trend.
Potential Benefits
Sexy water isn’t just an electrolyte packet poured into a glass. Instead, it’s often a multi-step recipe composed of various fruits, veggies, supplement powders, and tinctures. While more isn’t always necessarily more—and it depends on what you’re putting in your water—Horstman notes that when certain ingredients are mixed, they are better absorbed and pose greater benefits. She offers a couple of examples:
- Combining vitamin D with calcium enhances their effectiveness. Vitamin D enhances the absorption of calcium in the intestines, improving bone health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
- Pairing vitamin C and iron increases the absorption of non-heme iron (the type of iron found in plant-based foods). Horstman adds that this is beneficial for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
By contrast, if you were to add both calcium and magnesium to your sexy water, you’d be reducing the effectiveness of each.
Sepel agrees, adding that “it all comes down to what combination of ingredients you’re adding and your individual health.” She supports the idea that getting adequate hydration should be easy—and even something to look forward to.
Her brand, JSHealth, had this in mind when developing its magnesium capsules into a powdered form. As Sepel shares, the goal was to enhance “the nutrition content of your water while also supporting muscle relaxation.” Proof that when done correctly—and with a health professional’s guidance—sexy water can deliver everything you need.
Understanding the Risks
You’re not likely to get an excess of any of the ingredients you add to your sexy water. However, Horstman shares that “excessive chlorophyll can cause digestive issues, and high doses of mushrooms like lion’s mane and cordyceps can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.”
Sepel goes further to add that there is “evidence to support that the body can only absorb and metabolize a certain level of vitamins in any one day.” Because of this, you should always discuss appropriate dosing with a trusted medical professional. And do your research before adding anything to your glass. JSHealth formulas are developed to hit the sweet spot of maximum clinical dose for optimal efficacy, ensuring you’re always getting exactly what you need.
Is it safe to mix supplements?
Again, it all comes down to what you’re mixing. Horstman supports Stranick’s OG sexy water recipe, saying that “lemon, cucumber, and spearmint are all great for hydration and digestion, and the mushroom supplements support immune function and cognitive health.”
This is said with the caveat that Horstman assumes sexy water recipes use only relatively small doses of each ingredient, as “mixing too many supplements can dilute the concentration of each ingredient, potentially reducing their individual effectiveness.”
What to Keep in Mind Before Trying Sexy Water
Horstman’s advice makes clear: it always comes back to your why. “Do you want a better-tasting way to take your supplements? Do you want a more fun way to drink water? etc.” As with anything, it’s important to lead with intention. She recommends taking into account whether or not what you’re adding to your water boosts other ingredients’ effectiveness.
Ask yourself the following questions when you’re tempted to take on any health trend—sexy water or otherwise:
- Is there science- or data-backed research to support these claims?
- Does it fit in your budget?
- Does it align with your personal health goals?
Sepel is on the same page. “Nutrition trends can be fun and exciting, but I encourage people to maintain routines that are sustainable to their lifestyles and to be wary of any ‘trend’ that encourages restriction or extremes.” She’s a proponent of what she calls ‘The Health Life’—”making decisions that are sustainable and are grounded in the basics: quality sleep, stress management, nourishing your body with wholesome food choices, speaking to yourself with love, and exercising with kindness.”
With that framework in mind, Sepel leans heavily into the truth that making your water ‘sexy’ can help boost hydration and make it all the more enticing.
The Best Sexy Water Recipes to Try
Add the following ingredients to your desired vessel with filtered water (I love a mason jar). Drop in some ice and use a glass straw for the sexiest vibes.
The OG Sexy Water
The Beauty-Boosting Sexy Water (From JSHealth)
“Our office team has their own ‘sexy water’ each day. It’s our signature inner beauty powder, Vitality X + Collagen (3 grams of marine hydrolyzed collagen per serving) mixed with our new Advanced Magnesium Powder for total body wellness and inside-out support. They love it as a delicious tropical, raspberry-lemonade blend and as a quick way to hydrate, restore and glow all at once.” — Jessica Sepel
Sleepy Girl Sexy Water
Read more: The Best Sleepy Girl Mocktails for a Restful Snooze
Recovery Elixir
Our Favorite Sexy Water Supplements
Ready to take your water to the next level? Alongside slices of fresh fruit and veg, these are some of our favorite supplements to consider blending into your glass.