When it comes to drinks, what do you sip on while sitting at your work desk? While driving, what does your cupholder in the car holds for you? What kind of drink you usually grab from the office vending machine, on your coffee break? Is it coffee (… most likely), herbal tea, an energy drink (…something that gives you wings), or is it the plain old water?
Whatever is your choice of drink, be it coffee or tea to stay alert, sports drinks to replenish electrolytes, or alcohol to get a little buzzed. These drinks end up making us feel dehydrated instead of refreshed. There are several reasons which prove that drinking caffeinated products/ sports / alcoholic drinks is not the same as drinking water.
Proper hydration is key to staying in a top cognitive shape. According to this study, not drinking sufficient amounts of water can negatively impact your focus, alertness, and short-term memory. Drinking water is the liquid, that helps you feel fuller, hydrated, alert and active overall. It also keeps your kidneys healthy, including your heart and liver. It helps with your digestion, which is something we all need help with from time to time. That is why it makes sense to work on water therapy throughout the day.
FIVE MAIN REASONS TO DRINK MORE WATER
It is a known fact that our bodies are made up of about 70% water. We need water to regulate temperature, lubricate joints, and help our organs function properly. Adequate water consumption is one of the most important parts of living a healthy lifestyle. We can live for weeks without food, but only days without H2O.
Here are five main reasons to drink more water:
- Keeps you hydrated
- It helps you lose weight
- Improves your kidneys
- Supports healthy skin and hair
- Boosts your immune system
If you have experienced chronic fatigue syndrome, you know how awful it can feel. There is just no energy to do anything, disturbed sleep, or memory impairment. Chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by dehydration. When you do not drink enough water, your body cannot carry out its functions properly, and your metabolism starts to slow down. Your body cannot perform at its full capacity if it does not have enough water in it. Water helps you flush out toxins that may make you feel sluggish or unmotivated.
You have probably heard that drinking water can help you lose weight. But it can also help you treat a bunch of other things, too. Drinking water can help your body metabolize fat and even reduce the build-up of plaque in your blood vessels. And since you are now using that extra fat for energy, you will be able to work out harder and longer, which will make you even healthier!
WHAT IS A BETTER TECHNIQUE TO DRINK WATER — GUZZLING OR SIPPING?
For years, doctors and health specialists have recommended eight 8 oz. glasses of water that equals 64 oz. water per day. And most recently it was recommended to drink, at least half of our body weight in ounces. However, over this debate on how much to drink, we have lost sight of how we should be drinking water correctly.
Which brings us to the most significant discussion about the correct technique to drink water — should we gulp down enormous amounts of water as soon as thirst hits us & not drink water for hours altogether after that? Or should we slowly sip water every half an hour?
The primary benefit of gulping down water is that it immediately makes you feel really full, which means that you are more likely to drink less in the coming hours — which is a good thing if you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy BMI since drinking too much water can cause health problems. Another issue with drinking too much water, too fast, is hyponatremia — a condition where sodium levels in the bloodstream become dangerously diluted, causing various health related problems.
The sipping technique has the benefit of making it easier for you to track how many glasses you have had during the day, but it also allows you more control over how much water you are drinking — which is important if you are trying to avoid consuming too much or too little.
Most people do not realize the importance of the sipping technique when it comes to water consumption. The best rule of thumb is to begin with a 32-ounce water bottle. Fill it once in the morning and drink slowly. You will have approximately 4 hours to finish it by 12–1pm. Then refill it with the intention of emptying it by late afternoon or evening. That will get you a full 64 oz. of water for the day without having to gulp it down or drink a lot right before bed!
Many of us require more or less depending on where we live, our level of physical activity, illnesses we face, medications we take, and our current daily activities. You can easily adjust the water intake according to your body requirements. Need more than 64 oz. or less than… simply fill a tumbler & sip throughout the day.
Another noteworthy factor highlighted in this research published in Canada, reveals that sipping water instead of guzzling it, lowers the urine excretion 6 times! In fact, the body is able to retain more water and stay saturated, without resulting in increased trips to the bathroom.
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DRINK WATER?
It is important to always be drinking water, but it is also important to know when the right time to drink water is. If you always keep a bottle of water nearby, you can make sure you are always drinking the right amount of water every day.
- First thing in the morning, when you wake up in the morning, your body has been without water for 8 hours or more. Staying hydrated helps jumpstart your metabolism, as well as flush out toxins and waste products from your body.
- If you drink a glass of water before each meal, it will help fill you up and ensure that you do not overeat at mealtime.
WHY NOT TO DRINK WATER WHILE STANDING OR WALKING?
The reason you should not drink water while standing is to prevent your body from becoming hydrated too quickly. Humans are designed for drinking water in sedentary position in order to let the water flow through the digestive tract at its own speed. When you drink excessive amount of water while standing, it actually floods your stomach and intestines with too much liquid at once, which can cause bloating, gas, and nausea. It is best to sit down and drink small sips of water often throughout the day.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DO NOT DRINK ENOUGH WATER?
The body needs water to survive. It is a fact that we all need to remember. It helps you stay healthy, hydrated, and energized and transports nutrients and oxygen to your cells. The average person should drink around two liters of water per day, but how much do you actually drink? Perhaps you have had a glass of water with breakfast, and then… well, that is it. Maybe another one with dinner. But the thing is, your body needs water constantly, especially when it is working hard; for example, when you are exercising!
Not drinking enough water is dangerous. When we do not drink enough water, we are putting ourselves at risk for a variety of health problems. From fatigue to headaches to slow cognitive function, there are numerous things that we put our bodies through when we do not have the fluid intake our bodies need to function properly. Other diseases include:
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Cramps
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory loss
So next time you get the urge to gulp down an entire water bottle, sit down & think before you indulge in water therapy!
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This article first appeared on www.recipeforte.com on March 5, 2022
