Water, Water Everywhere!!

With the heat we’ve been having recently, I thought it would be a great time to discuss WATER. The average human body is made up of about 65% water. That means that out of every 100 pounds a person weighs, 65 pounds of that is water. WOW!

How much water should I drink each day? The amount varies from person to person based on several factors; how active a person is to where you live. To keep it simple we’ll stick with the doctors recommended amount of 8 cups of water per day. This number is based on how much water it would take to replace what our bodies lose every day through our normal bodily functions like breathing, going to the bathroom, and sweating.

How can I tell if I’m drinking enough water? The easiest way to tell if you are getting enough fluids is by looking at the color of your urine. It should be colorless to a very pale shade of yellow. If it’s a dark yellow to orange, you need more fluids!

What if I don’t like water? Some foods have very high water content. So if you find it hard to consume just plain old water, look to your food as a source of replacing fluids. Some of the highest water containing foods are lettuce, watermelon, broccoli, grapefruit, milk, orange juice, carrots, yogurt, and apples. Surprisingly enough, your caffeinated beverages (and even beer) can count towards your daily fluid intake. Of course your best option would be to go for that glass of cold, refreshing, calorie-free water and you can always jazz it up by adding a slice of lemon, lime, orange, or even cucumber.

What health benefits can I expect from increasing my fluid intake? Every system in our body is dependent upon water. So being and staying well hydrated offers up some amazing health benefits. Just to name a few - it helps to reduce fatigue while increasing energy levels, raises our metabolism and is a natural appetite suppressant (both aiding in weight loss), healthier hair and skin, less chance of injury by increasing bone density (reduces muscle cramps and joint pain), improves digestion, and overall puts us in a better mood.

Is it possible to drink too much water? Yes. However, it would take a massive
amount of water consumed at once to cause any problems. Unless you are a serious marathon runner or an extreme athlete; most people will never have to give this issue a second thought. If you are concerned or have questions about the adverse effects of drinking too much water, I recommend talking with your doctor.

So here are some simple ways to get more fluids. Purchase a portable water bottle. These come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. I would suggest a 24 ounce size – but make it fun by picking your favorite color, design, or shape – and take it with you everywhere you go! Set a timer on your watch or phone to go off every hour as a reminder. Just make sure that cup of water is consumed before the next “beep”. Start using a water purification or filtration system. The pitchers work great and do not cost a lot of money. Just replace the filter as often as needed and you have fresh, filtered water available all the time. Again, add fruit slices to the pitcher or your individual water bottle for a splash of color and flavor. And finally, eat more foods that have higher water content.