Hydrate for Health
Our body weight is comprised of 60-70 percent water so we need to stay hydrated to keep our bodies running at their best as hydration affects our energy levels, digestion, regularity and blood pressure.
Dehydration slows the activity of enzymes which leads to feelings of fatigue. In fact, the slightest reduction can lower our metabolism. When we don't drink enough liquids, the digestive process is impaired which leads to slower elimination, systemic toxicity and inflammation. Chronic dehydration results in a thickening of our blood which causes our blood vessels to contract. Our bodies must work that much harder to push blood through our veins, resulting in elevated blood pressure.
So what's the best way to stay properly hydrated? While those successfully marketed sports drinks can be tempting, water is truly the best way to hydrate your body. Eight 8-ounce glasses a day is recommended by the Mayo Clinic .
We've all heard this before, but do we do it? Here are some easy ways to make your water more tasty and boost your nutrition!
Lemon water: Add a lemon slice and some lemon juice to your water. The beauty of lemon water is that it is tasty, refreshing and best of all, alkalising. The value of eating lemons is reported by Jethro Kloss, a pioneer in natural herbal remedies, in his book Back to Eden: "The medicinal value of the lemon is as follows: It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis [the presence of pathogenic bacteria] or putrefaction [decomposition of tissue]. It is also anti-scorbutic, a term meaning a remedy which will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities."
Cucumber water: You often see this at the spa and it is delicious but did you know that cucumber water has some great health benefits? The flesh of cucumbers is primarily composed of water but also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to improve the complexion and health of the skin, plus cucumber's high water content makes it naturally hydrating a must for glowing skin.
Are you looking for a water alternative?
Coconut water is fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie, super-hydrating, naturally rich in electrolytes. Over long periods of exercise, the body needs to replace electrolyte salts that are naturally sweated out, especially potassium; its absence can cause muscle cramping and delayed recovery time after exercise.
Orange juice (ideally not from concentrate) is a very good natural source of potassium too.
Another way to keep hydrated is to incorporate more water-rich foods into your diet such as: tomatoes, peaches, pineapple, melon, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, squash and bell peppers. And believe it or not, a potato is roughly 80 percent water.
So ... Cheers and drink to your health!
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