Sunday, June 7, 2009

Benefits of Water


Easy Energy and Weight Control: The Benefits of Water

Like the famous hip hop star Jay Z says in one of his songs, “H to the O!” (I’m sure that’s not what he meant but it works for the purpose of this article). Everyday in our clinic the importance of water has become a mantra. We hear so much about how our body is made primarily of water and that we need to drink lots. What is lots? Some say 8 cups a day, others say 64 ounces a day, some say just keep drinking until your urine is clear. Well I’d have to agree the closest with the latter, but how do you get there without inspecting your urine constantly?

Here is the simple formula to follow in relation to water:

Drink 1/2 Your body weight in ounces every day. Therefore if you weigh 100 lbs, you should drink 50 ounces of water.

In addition to that for any beverage you drink that isn’t water you need to drink that much more water. For example, if you have a 20 ounce cup of coffee in the morning you must add 20 more ounces of water to your daily quota. THIS GOES FOR ANY BEVERAGE THAT ISN’T WATER.

Tips:

  • Be sure to get at least half that quota down before noon so that you’re not up all night.
  • Carry a water bottle with you and calculate how many fill-ups you need to meet each day. Never say "I should drink more water" or "I will drink more water". What is more? Define exactly how much your body needs and do it!
  • Add a lemon or lime to your bottle for flavour.
  • Try to drink out of a bottle that is made of glass or a SIGG water bottle
  • Drink only mineral or sparkling water, distilled water is useless for your body.

Benefits:

  • Aids your body by promoting alkalinity (refer to Alkalinity The Power of Going Green for more information on the benefits of alkalinity)
  • Helps quench hunger cravings, most hunger cravings are really signs of dehydration.
  • Promotes elasticity and turgor (fullness) of the skin keeping you wrinkle free!
  • Rids your body of toxins
  • Increases Energy Levels (Your cell’s energy and growth is dependent on the electrons it gets from water)
  • Increases Physical and Mental Performance

So get up and out of your seat, calculate your daily quota and fill up! The more consistent you make this healthy habit the more your body will thank you. You’ll find that your nervous system learns how to use the water more efficiently as the weeks go by.