How much water do you think your body contains and where? Mouth, eyes, digestive system ... Water is on average 75% of your body and is required for many of our body’s essential functions.
What happens if you don’t drink enough water?
- FATIGUE and low energy as your body tries to function without enough water.
- HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE occurs as the blood thickens without water and causes resistance in the blood flow.
- Dehydration impairs the elimination of toxins through the skin making it more vulnerable to SKIN DISORDER (dermatitis, psoriasis).
- Dry airways release inflammatory markers like histamine resulting in ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA.
- The body is producing more cholesterol to prevent water loss from the cells inducing HIGH CHOLESTEROL.
- Results in an alkaline mineral (calcium, magnesium...) shortage in the DIGESTIVE system causing a DISORDER such as an ulcer, gastritis, acid reflux.
- BLADDER OR KIDNEY PROBLEMS as the toxins and acids waste accumulates in the organs, creating the favorite environment for bacteria to thrive! Resulting in infection, inflammation, and pain.
- CONSTIPATION due to the dry large intestines causing the waste to move slowly through or not at all!
- JOINT PAIN OR STIFFNESS as the cartilage of the joint mainly composed of water is dry when dehydrating, making the cartilage weak and joint repair slower inducing pain and discomfort.
- PREMATURE AGING as without water the skin begins to wrinkle prematurely.
What are your water needs to stay hydrated and what are the benefits? When you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated. Women should have 2L of water per day, the equivalent of 8 glasses of water, and men should have about 2.8L, equivalent of 10 glasses of water. Drinking cold water:
- Boosts your metabolism and burns calories. 10 minutes after drinking water the metabolism elevates and peaks 30 to 40min after drinking.
- Increases concentration and productivity.
- Helps get rid of toxins in our body.
- Helps prevent headaches.
- Balances fluids in our body.
Top tips to get enough water:
- Have a nice cool glass of water as soon as you awaken.
- Drink one glass of water before each meal/snack, that is already a minimum of 4 to 5 glasses, halfway there!
- If you dislike the flavor or the water, get a fruit infuser water bottle to flavor your water.
- Drink 1 glass of water per hour at work (you can set a reminder on your phone).
- Eat more food high in water:
- Lettuce: 96%
- Celery: 95%
- Zucchini: 95%
- Cabbage: 92%
- Watermelon: 91%
- Cantaloupe: 90%
- Honeydew melon: 90%
