Feeling Thirsty? Drink Water!

According to some nutritionists, 80% of the American population are dehydrated. They could have a point. Take the morning routine as an example. After perhaps 7 or 8 hours of sleep, what do most people opt for in the morning? Many start their day off with a cup of tea or coffee, followed by soft drinks and more tea and coffee. These drinks contain a great deal of caffeine, which actually prompts the body to lose water, rather than retain it.

The body is made up of water

When people are thirsty they are often confused about what to drink. The simple answer is water. Water not only refreshes us, but it also accounts for a large percentage of the body body. The average 150lb adult body contains about 50 quarts of water. In fact, almost two thirds of our body weight is actually "water weight".The blood is made up of 83% water, muscles contain 75% water, the brain is 74% water, and the bones are 22% water.

Water aids digestion

Water is vital for the body in order to properly digest and absorb vitamins and nutrients. It also helps to get rid of toxins in the liver and kidneys, and carries waste away from the body. Digestion cannot occur without a good supply of water. On its own, fibre cannot help in the proper digestion of food. Without water, fibre is useless and can then lead to constipation. That is why constipated people are encouraged to increase their intake of water because fibre alone will not solve the problem.

Results of dehydration

If you allow yourself to become dehydrated, the blood thickens and the body has to work much harder to cause it to circulate around the body. This results in the brain becoming less active. That is why it is very hard to concentrate when you are dehydrated. The whole body becomes fatigued and cannot function properly.

Ways water can help

To help avoid dehydration, choose to change your view of water and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, more if you are engaging in physical exercise or are pregnant. As long as the water is free from chemicals and additives, water can benefit you in a number of ways. Water will help improve your energy levels, mental and physical performance. Water will help keep skin looking healthy and can also help a person lose weight.

Protection against heart attack

In the May 1st edition of the American Journal of Epidemiology the results of a six-year study conducted of more than 20,000 healthy men and women aged between 38-100 revealed that women who drank more than five glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses. The results were even greater in men.

Helps you lose weight

The reason why water can help a person lose weight is because it is a natural appetite suppressant. Dr F. Batmanghelidj, author of "Your Body's Many Cries For Water" said that most times your "hunger" is your body asking for water, rather than food. When the body is dehydrated, fat cells can become "rubbery", making it harder to metabolize them. That means it is harder to lose weight if you do not drink enough water.

Tips for increasing your water intake

Start the day off properly by drinking a glass of water rather than reaching for the coffee or teapot. It is the best way to help kick start your day after spending several hours asleep. Water helps flush toxins out of the body. If you do drink caffeinated drinks, have a glass of water nearby, to help counteract the dehydrating affect of tea and coffee. Drink when you are not thirsty. By the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. So try to avoid this by having a bottle of water with you wherever you are. Fill it up periodically throughout the day to keep you well hydrated. Drinking water is not really a chore when you consider the alternatives. Do you want to feel exhausted and tired each day? Water can help keep you alert and is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Source:

http://www.betterwayhealth.com/drinking-water.asp