Drink more water, drink more water, drink more water! Everyone from the doctor, to health experts, to the cashier at the grocery store (who just so happened to guilt me into getting a case of water) constantly tells us to increase our water intake. So, why is getting the standard 8-10 glasses of nature’s nectar a day the way to go?
Lots of reasons, actually.
First and foremost, nearly 2/3 of our bodies are made up of water and we need it in order for our organs function properly. According to experts, water is second only to oxygen as essential for life. It flushes out toxins and waste and carries nutrients and oxygen to and from all cells in our body. Water provides cushioning for joints and protects organs from damage and shock.
Staying hydrated is so important when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It can aid in weight loss, as drinking water will often fill you up when hunger strikes. Sometimes that hungry feeling can easily be confused by thirst. If you feel hungry, drink some water, then reassess that Big Mac calling.
Your friends at the gym carry water bottles for good reason. Water regulates the body’s temperature, allowing heat to evaporate from the body in the form of sweat. Within one hour of exercise, the body can lose more than a quart of water. If it is not replenished, your body may become dehydrated, which can lead to muscle fatigue and loss of coordination. Keep in mind that it’s important to head off thirst at the pass. By the time your mouth is dry, your body is already on its way to dehydration. Try to drink more than thirst demands and to continue to drink throughout the day. Also, take your alcohol and caffeine consumption into account: both are diuretics and you’ll need to compensate for the extra fluid loss.
Need help revving up that water intake? Try adding lemon or lime – it can fool your taste buds a bit and be a nice change from the plain stuff. Or get the fluid through your food: fruits and veggies like cucumber, watermelon, lettuce, celery, grapes, oranges, tomatoes, all have high water content. Even drinking decaffeinated tea or coffee or non-fat milk will help.
Summer’s coming and we’re all going to be sweating a little more. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself the best you can. If better health is as easy as replacing that soda with a few extra glasses of water, isn’t it the least we can do?
Looking to get a good sweat in, before getting your daily dose of H20? No better place to start than here:
Learn more here!