Why is it so hard to drink water? This is a very common factor with my clients. I understand their frustration. It’s a daily challenge for me even though I know how important it is for me. But, for some reason many of us find it a difficult task. I’m going to share with you why water is essential for us to have optimal health and how you can determine how much your body needs, as we are all different.
Water is by far the most important nutrient for the body. You can go eight weeks without food, but only days without water! It makes up 55-60% of our total body mass and its found in all tissues of our body.
Water has many important roles of the body:
- – Transports nutrients
- – Flushes toxins
- – Lubricates joints
- – Maintains normal electrical properties of the cells
- – Enables cellular hydration
- – Regulates body temperature
- – Absorbs shocks to joints
- – Improves oxygen delivery to cells
- – Empowers the body’s natural healing process (this is my favorite)
For those of you who are drinking soft drinks, I would love for you to try to STOP!
These “drinks” are made with nothing but chemicals that interfere with the production of HCL (stomach acid) and it may prevent the body’s ability to use calcium. Aspartame is horrible! Studies have shown that it has at least 92 different side effects. Aspartame eventually changes to methanol, which converts to formaldehyde and formic acid.
Diet soft drinks also dehydrate you. Isn’t it crazy that these soft drinks contain this many toxins??? These chemicals truly cause an addiction. If you drink an 8-ounce diuretic beverage, add 12 – 16 ounces of water to your daily intake.
Try switching to sparkling water and adding fresh lime or lemon juice to it. One of the things I like to do with water is diffusing it with cucumber and mint for a refreshing taste or infuses it with strawberries and mint. If you’re looking for something sweet and bubbly, try adding a few drops of your favorite flavored Stevia to sparkling water.
Water is not able to be stored in the body, making it crucial for us to consume it on a daily basis. To make sure you’re getting enough water for you body, here’s an easy and helpful tip – divide your body weight by two and that is how many ounces you should be drinking on a daily basis.
Here are some early signs of dehydration: fatigue, anxiety, irritability, dizzy, headaches, cramps and joint pain. Having good hydration is a key to optimal health. Make sure you’re drinking the amount of water your body needs by doing the equation I mentioned above and make sure to get a good amount of electrolytes by adding unrefined sea salt. This also will give you some trace minerals. Oh! Another thing I want to mention, don’t chug your water. Sip it throughout the day so your body has time to absorb and digest it.
For additional hydration tips watch Daniel Plan Signature Chef, Robert Sturm demonstrate a couple of his favorite hydrating drinks:
References: Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by F. Batmanghelidij, M.D. NTA
