Just Drink Water

Here is the bottom line: you need water. Whether you are big or small, you need water. Other drinks do not count in your water allowance. Real , plain water is what it takes.

Your body is 60% water. If you want to be like a prune or, as we say today, a dried plum, then avoid water. If you want to be overweight, avoid water. If you want to be dumb, avoid water. If you want to breathe poorly, avoid water. In other words, in order for your body to function optimally, yes, you need water.

The lungs are 90% water. Your brain is 70% water and your blood is 83% water. Your thinking and breathing depends on a constant supply of water which it gets from your blood.

Here are some of the many health benefits of water: increased energy, increased mental and physical performance, removal of toxins, clear and glowing skin, decrease in headaches and dizziness, keeping the blood alkaline, and what everyone always wants-WEIGHT LOSS.

The conventional wisdom is that everyone needs to drink 8 glasses a day. in actuality, one needs to drink the right amount for their ideal body weight. The suggested amount is about half ounce for every pound. This translates to 75 ounces for a 150 lb person. That is is slightly more than nine 8-oz glasses. Calculate how much that is right for you.

Can you drink too much water? Yes, but it tends not to be an issue because under normal daily life conditions, you will urinate more if you drink more. However, if you are exercsing or in a very hot envirnoment, when you lose water through sweat , you must replace not only the water but the electrolytes or you will get water intoxication which can lead to death.

Should you wait until you are thirsty to drink? No. Thirst is a poor indicator of hydration status. When you are very dehydrated, you ARE NOT thirsty. The best way to drink water is to calculate what you need based on body weight and spread it out during the day evenly. If you are an avid exerciser, make sure you replace lost fluid. Weigh yourself fully hydrated and than after your workout. The difference in weight is how many ounces of water you need to drink to bring yourself back to your e equilibrium hydrated state.

Water is heralded as the hallmark of weight loss. With regards to weight loss, water is the secret ingredient of success. Studies have shone that when comparing water drinkers and non water drinkers on the same diet that the water drinkers lose a lot more weight and have an easier time maintaining weight loss. Why is water so crucial? It eliminates toxins, aids digestions by contributing to the breakdown of food and when drinking before meals, it gives a sense of fullness so that you eat less. Start off every meal with a glass of water and drink throughout the meal.

Lastly people want to know if there is anything that can be substituted for water. Sometimes it does get monotonous. I recommend drinking unsweetened teas, especially herbal teas which are free of caffeine and any artificial additives. True teas do have a diuretic property however herbal teas that are free of true tea leaves (green, black, white and oolong) generally do not have the diuretic property. I would recommend that you substitute no more than one quarter of your water allowance with teas.

It’s always best to enjoy plain H2o. I do not get into whether you should drink distilled or mineral or water with gases because as far as I am concerned I am quite happy if you are drinking any of the naturally occurring waters with out sweeteners, preservatives of additives. Sorry Vitamin Water (which is really a punch enhanced with vitamins).

Drink water for better health. It’s free and it’s easy.

Dr. Veronica-Wellness for the REAL World