Why do we need water?
Water is essential for the maintenance of optimum health and efficiency in all the body’s systems. For example, nerves do not transmit messages efficiently if they are not properly hydrated, hormone secretion is hindered and insufficient acid and digestive enzymes are secreted into the intestinal tract to break down food. Water helps the entire gut work more efficiently, helping prevent constipation, irritable bowel symptoms & many other related diseases.
If the circulation is lacking in volume due to dehydration, it does not deliver oxygen, nutrients and other essential substances to the tissues effectively. Poor circulation to the kidneys means that toxins are less readily removed from the system. Dehydration jeopardizes all of the most basic processes in the body. Even mild dehydration can provoke problems with a diverse array of symptoms including headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, heat intolerance, light-headedness, dry mouth and eyes and lack of concentration.
Water also hydrates the skin, which can help combat skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, wrinkles & spots.
How much water do we need?
Ideally, we need to consume between 1.5 and 2 litres of water per day or, for average day-to-day needs, we should aim to consume 30 mls of water for each kilogramme of our body weight. Exercising and hot weather increases water loss and water consumption should be increased accordingly. It is preferable to drink water that is filtered or bottled to remove as many contaminants as possible.
Drinking Water and Weight Loss
Water is a natural appetite suppressant, so developing a good water drinking habit can be a long-term aid in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. It’s also important to remember that when the body is dehydrated, fat cells get “rubbery” and cannot be easily metabolized. This means that it’s harder to lose fat when you don’t drink enough water.
Tips for Increasing Water Intake
- You are naturally thirsty (dehydrated) in the morning, so re-hydrate and help your body flush out the toxins it has been processing all night by drinking a glass of water first thing.
- Drinking a mug of hot water with lemon before breakfast will help cleanse your system.
- If you are cold, drink warm water with a slice of fresh ginger instead of coffee & tea.
- Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to have a drink – you are already dehydrated if you feel thirsty.
- Set a timer to remind yourself to establish a habit of drinking water
- Keep a large bottle of water with you at work and a smaller one with you when you are out.
- If you drink a lot of coffee, tea, or sodas with caffeine, you’ll need to drink a few extra glasses of water to compensate for these diuretic beverages.
- Add lemon or lime to water to tone your liver and add flavour.
- Drink water near to body temperature. Very cold water can over-stimulate the kidneys.
- Spread your water intake throughout the day & drink most of your quota before 6p.m.
- Try herbal teas in place of tea or coffee. These count towards your daily requirement.
- Drink before you eat – you may be thirsty rather than hungry!
