Why is drinking water SO important to our health?

Drinking water is so important for good health. When you were a kid in school, you learned that each molecule of water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. You may also have learned that it was great fun to fill up your squirt guns with water, at least until the principal caught you. What you may not have learned, however, was how much water you needed in order to be a healthy human being. 

 

Why You Need to Drink Water

Your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.

 Signs of Dehydration

You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active, you lose more water than if you are sedentary. Diuretics such as caffeine pills and alcohol result in the need to drink more water because they trick your body into thinking you have more water than we need.

Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles,lower back pain, headaches and constipation. A strong odor to your urine, along with a yellow or amber color indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B Vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.

 

How Much Water do You Need to Drink?

A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. If you exercise you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day. As you can see, your daily need for water can add up to quite a lot.

Twenty percent of your water need will come from the foods you eat. The rest of your water need should come from the beverages you drink. Water is the best choice. Sodas have a lot of sugar in them, so if you drink sodas, you may take in more calories than you need. Herbal teas that aren't diuretic are fine. Sports drinks contain electrolytes and may be beneficial, just look out for added sugar and calories that you don't need. Juices are good because they have vitamins and nutrients.

Caffeinated beverages will also add to your daily water need. Even though caffeine is a diuretic, if you regularly consume caffeine, your body will regulate itself to that diuretic effect.

 

Drink Enough Water

It may be difficult to drink enough water on a busy day. Be sure you have water handy at all times by keeping a bottle for water with you when you are working, traveling, or exercising. If you get bored with plain water, add a bit of lemon or lime for a touch of flavor. There are some brands of flavored water available, but watch for extra calories.

http://drinkhelth.blogspot.com/2010/05/drinking-water-is-so-important-for-good.html

Ways to make water taste better

1. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime (or both).
2. Fill a large jug with water, sliced fruit (try citrus, berries or melon) and ice; refrigerate overnight.
3. Let pineapple chunks soak in water for at least two hours.
4. Mash up blueberries or raspberries in the bottom of your glass, then add sparkling or still water.
5. Pour in a splash of unsweetened cranberry juice.
6. Make ice cubes out of no-sugar-added juice and add to sparkling or still water and cranberry juicewater.
7. Tear up some fresh mint leaves and leave to steep in water before drinking.
8. Add sliced cucumber for a refreshing zing.
9. Freeze clementine slices and use as ice cubes.
10. Flavor with Crystal Light (or other sugar-free mix such as Lipton’s Green Tea).
11. Make half the glass sparkling water, half the glass still water; it’s not as gassy as sparkling alone.
12. Crush some basil leaves, add to water and leave overnight.
13. After boiling vegetables, such as carrots, reserve the water and chill overnight for a vitamin-packed blast of flavor.
14. Add some artificial sweetener, like Splenda or Stevia, to give your drink pep without the calories.
15. Add a few drops of rose water.
16. Brew green or white tea, then chill.
17. Add an herbal tea bag like passion fruit; heat with lemon.
18. Add a splash of your favorite diet soda to plain seltzer water.
19. Try no-cal Metromint water (in flavors like Peppermint, Spearmint, Cherry Mint and Chocolate Mint).
20. Add a dash of Acai juice blend, like Sambazon.

Source: healthyisclassy

Sassy Water Recipe

8. 5 CUPS WATER
1 TSP/ GRATED GINGER
1 MED. CUCUMBER
1 MEDIUM LEMON
12 SPEARMINT LEAVES

COMBINE EVERYTHING AND LET IT STAND IN FRIDGE OVERNIGHT. DRINK ALL WATER THROUGHOUT NEXT DAY

A 'flabby belly' is often a combination of fat and retained fluid. Fluid is retained usually due to dehydration, so if you're better hydrated you can see an improvment in flabbiness and also a reduction in cellulite. Drinking more water (flavoured with whatever you like, frankly) is a good move. 1 - 2 litres a day is the usual. More if you exercise or live in a hot climate, of course.

At the same time, avoid sugar, sweeteners, alcohol, caffeine, salt and all processed/refined and starchy foods. They also cause dehydration.