The Power of Water

The human body is made up of 70% water and our brains our made up of 85% water- we simply cannot live without it. The quality of water is one of the first priorities in sustaining our environment, our health and our well-being. In order to maintain the healthy function of our bodies and our brain, we must be properly hydrated. 

What are the Benefits of Drinking Water?

Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids

Your body is composed of about 70% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature.

When you're low on fluids, the brain triggers the body's thirst mechanism and you should listen to those cues and get yourself a drink of water.

 

Water Can Help Control Calories

For years, many dieters have been drinking lots of water as a strategy for weight loss. While water doesn't have any magical effect on weight loss, using it as a substitute for higher calorie beverages will definitely help.

Food with high water content tends to look larger, its higher volume requires more chewing, and it is absorbed more slowly by the body, which helps you feel full. Water-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, oatmeal, and beans.

 

Water Helps Energise Muscles

Cells that don't maintain their balance of fluids and electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue.  Drinking enough fluids is important when exercising. Research has recommended that people drink about 17 ounces of fluid around two hours before exercise. During exercise, it has been recommend that people start drinking fluids early, and drink them at regular intervals to replace fluids lost by sweating.

 

Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good

Your skin contains lots of water and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. Dehydration makes your skin look drier and wrinkled, which can be improved with proper hydration, but once you are adequately hydrated, the kidneys take over and excrete excess fluids.

You can also help "lock" moisture into your skin by using moisturizer, which creates a physical barrier to keep moisture in.

 

Water Helps Your Kidneys

Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. The main toxin in the body is blood urea nitrogen, a water-soluble waste that is able to pass through the kidneys to be excreted in the urine. Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body of toxins, as long as your intake of fluids is adequate.

 

Water Helps Maintain Normal Bowel Function

Adequate hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation. When you don't get enough fluid, the colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration and the result is constipation.

 

In order for water to be beneficial, it must be:

 

Free from pollutants

These pollutants include heavy metals, pesticide residues, solvents, hormone residues, drug residues, chlorine, fluoride and pathogens.

 

Micro clustered

Good water should have 5-6 molecules clustered, which means significantly increased electron activity energised water. Most tap water clusters are upwards of 12 and so are not particularly beneficial.

 

Have negative oxidation/ reduction potential (ORP)

Typically, tap water has an ORP reading of around 250 mV upwards. Good, healthy water should have a reading between -100 to -300 mV. This anti-oxidant water helps to neutralise free radicals.

 

5 Tips to Help You Drink More

1.    Have a beverage with every snack and meal.

2.    Choose beverages you enjoy; you're likely to drink more liquids if you like the way they taste.

3.    Eat more fruits and vegetables- their high water content will add to your hydration. About 20% of our fluid intake comes from foods.

4.    Keep a bottle of water with you in your car, at your desk, or in your bag.

5.    Choose beverages that meet your individual needs. If you're watching calories, go for non-caloric beverages or water.