C
an you drink your way to good health? You sure can. Nutritionists help in understanding the benefits of water to a healthier ‘you’.
Water for overall functioning of the body
90 percent of the blood in our body is made up of water, which helps in transporting nutrients to the muscles. It also helps carry away the waste such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Therefore enough water helps in maintaining the blood volume, which in turn helps in the proper functioning of the body.
Water as a digestive
Water plays a very important role in digestion and waste control. The water in saliva and gastric fluids helps the body to digest food. Without sufficient water, the colon will not be able to process fiber as well as it should. Fiber, without enough water, makes solid waste to bulky and concentrated to pass comfortably, which is the first cause of constipation. Remember, water is the only medium to flush toxins from the body.
Water as a refreshment
Thirst is one of the main reasons behind fatigue. Just by drinking water one can get instant energy. A glass of water is enough to rejuvenate one. If you allow yourself to get dehydrated, every part of your body suffers.
We drink too much coffee, tea, and sodas containing caffeine, which prompts the body to lose water. A dose of eight to 10 glasses of water per day keeps the body hydrated.
When water is needed in excess
One needs at least 18-20 glasses of water if one has large quantities of aerated drinks, alcohol or food with excess sodium like bread, Chinese grub and all kinds of junk food. These food items dehydrate the body. Thus to replenish the amount of water, one should drink in excess.
Water for skin and hair care
Water, being a hydrate, essentially helps in the prevention of shrivelled, wrinkled skin. It also makes the skin glow, preventing acne and patchy, wrinkled look. Less water in the body also leads to dry and brittle hair, causing split ends.
Source to increase intake
You don’t need to sip from your water bottle all day to satisfy your fluid needs. Your diet, including the beverages you drink, can provide a large portion of the water your body needs. Fruits and vegetables, besides being good sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber, contain a lot of water. Orange, cucumber, watermelon, etc. are great substitutes. Drink fruit juices as well as infusions such as chamomile, peppermint, ginger, lemon, buttermilk, etc. to increase water intake. So raise your glass to water - it’s good for you, and available almost anywhere.
Strategies to get the right intake of water per day:
c Keep a large (600ml) glass of water by your bed. Soon as you wake up, you can drink it. It helps in flushing the toxins out of the body.
c Carry a bottle of water around you. This will make it easier for you to drink water if you are on the move. It’s also a constant reminder to keep drinking.
c Keep a bottle of water on your desk or near your work area and sip from it throughout the day.
c If you are a regular at the gym, carry a bottle of water along. This way, you will drink more water than you usually consume.
