Magic Water
May 2010. Filed in: Diet
And you thought drinking water was just to quench your thirst. OK! We all know that drinking water is very important for our body. But did you know that there are a raft of other reasons to keep up you water intake.
Did you know that drinking a good 2 litres of water a day may also have the following benefits:
Water really is that important. It's a pity we often underestimate its true value to our entire wellbeing. So, the next time you walk past the water tank or filter make sure you pick a up a glass to go.
- It will clear your mind and alleviate headaches. Your brain needs water to operate properly. If it is dehydrated your brain will slow down and your cognitive (thinking) functions will lack clarity and you will most likely develop headaches. No doubt some of you will have had a hangover. Well, the fuzzy thinking and headaches are due to your brain being deprived of fluid. So, if you want a clear head drink more water.
- It reduces fatigue. Every cell in your body needs water to function at its optimum. If you deprive them of this fluid then they will become sluggish and toxic and this takes its toll on your body. So don't reach for that caffeinated drink or beer when you are thirsty, because caffeine and alcohol dehydrate the celts. Have a nice big drink of water and the energy will return soon enough.
- It will add more gloss and strength to your nails than the manicurist will. The protein in your nails is made up of about 20% water, so if you are a chronic water avoider your nails will lose their lustre and become brittle and a little ugly. So, drink more water and watch them slowly return to life.
- Lose weight by drinking water. If you want to lose weight fast, stop drinking (not advised though). If you want to lose weight - seriously - an ample array of research shows that those who drink more than one litre of water a day are able to lose more weight (over time) than those who drink less. This is because of the complex relationship between the cellular metabolism and hydration levels. In short, a well hydrated cell is going to work harder and therefore burn more energy. The more energy you burn the more weight you lose. Simple really!
- It may help reduce your back and joint pain. The spine has discs between every vertebrae and each of these discs contains fluid. All of your body's joints are bathed in fluid. Water helps maintain this fluid balance. If you have too little fluid in the discs and joints they become a little like a sticky old door. You might find lubricating your body with more water will help relieve some of the stiffness and even the associated pain.
- It will lower your risk of heart attack. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that subjects who drank more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die of a heart attack during the study than those who drank less than two glasses. Worth raising a gals too - don't you think!
- It will contribute to Bowel & Kidney health. It stands to reason that the two major organs associated with elimination should benefit from more water. The bowels require a good deal of fluid to help in the digestion process and ease of elimination. The kidneys also need lots of fluids to help eliminate waste from the system. Too little fluid and you risk kidney increases acid and toxic waste build up, which leads to kidney stones and/or renal failure.
Water really is that important. It's a pity we often underestimate its true value to our entire wellbeing. So, the next time you walk past the water tank or filter make sure you pick a up a glass to go.