Water H2O – two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. This liquid is vital to life. When you consider the body is made up of approximately seventy percent water, it is not surprising that we need to drink regularly to keep the body functioning.
Water is necessary to:
- Regulate body temperature
- Lubricate joints
- Moisten tissues such as mouth, eyes, and nose
- Help facilitate chewing and swallowing
- Protect body organs and tissues
- Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells
- Remove toxins from the body (via your sweat, pee and poop)
- Prevent constipation and aid in bowel movements
- Serve as a medium in which chemical reactions occur
Water is lost out of the body every day, whether it is through perspiration, breathing, digestion, or your urine. Therefore, the need to keep the fluid intake up to maintain and restore the body is vital for all things like brain health, immune health, skin health, lung health, digestion, muscle and joint functioning, blood pressure and circulation.
Drinking when you are thirsty is not a reliable indicator that your body needs water. As by the time the body signals thirst, dehydration has already begun. With an inadequate intake of water, the body starts to slow down, and fatigue can set in. So the next time you are feeling tired during the day think, how much water have I had today?
If you struggle to drink an adequate amount of water during the day, then here are several helpful tips.
- Take a bottle of water with you where ever you go
- If you forget to drink your water place a sign next to your drinking vessel that reads “DRINK ME”
- Add a slice of lemon, lime, cucumber, or goji berries to enhance the flavour
- Drink herbal tea as these count towards your daily water intake and have many health benefits
- Add a little variety to your daily fluid intake such as a glass of coconut water or fresh vegetable juice
- Grab a bottle of sparkling mineral water and add a few drops of pomegranate juice or maybe a bit of lemon, lime or orange rind
Not all fluids are good hydrators. The caffeine in coffee, tea, and caffeinated drinks is a diuretic which means they increase urine excretion which can cause further dehydration. Alcoholic beverages are also not good hydrators.
It is important that the water you are drinking is clean and full of naturally occurring minerals as some harmful substances can find their way into drinking water from industrial or agricultural sources or are intentionally added by your local council.
With approximately 2 litres (depending on your daily activities) a day of good quality water, you should be hydrated enough to turn your pee into an ideal colour of a light-coloured yellow.
To help quench your thirst and add to your daily water intake try out these simple ideas.
Herbal Infused Water
- ½ cucumber (peeled)
- 1 lime (peeled)
- 12 peppermint or mint leaves
- 500 mL filtered water or coconut water
- Handful of ice
Instructions: Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass, put your feet up, relax and enjoy.
Herbal Teas
These herbal blends make great cold infusions.
Instructions: Brew as per normal then chill in the fridge until cold. Drink as is or add to a wine glass and top up with sparkling mineral water.
Water is Life ~ Drink to Your Health!