You probably often hear that you need to drink more water. But do you know why? And did you know that it may affect your eating habits and weight-loss efforts?
Every cell in your body contains water and it is the most abundant component of your body. It performs many purposes, including carrying nutrients from the food you consume to the cells of your body; carrying waste products from your cells to your kidneys; acting as a lubricant for your joints; regulating your body temperature from sweating. When you consider water’s many purposes, you begin to realize just how important it is to get enough.
You can get water from two sources: food and fluids. While all beverages contribute to your total fluid intake, some may actually dehydrate you, such as caffeinated-beverages and alcohol. Water-filled fruits and vegetables, such as melon or celery, also help to increase your fluid intake.
Despite water’s many sources, most of us don’t get enough. (And if you exercise or work in a physically-demanding job, you need even more water than the average person to replenish the fluid your body loses when you sweat.)
Being dehydrated can affect you in many ways. Side effects of dehydration include headaches, poor concentration and fatigue. Staying well hydrated can bring many positive effects such as increased energy and stamina, improved digestion and decreased water weight (and resulting bloating). Staying hydrated may also help keep you from overeating — we often tend to reach for food when we’re actually thirsty (we think we are hungry).
Waiting until you feel thirsty to drink something isn’t the best way to prevent dehydration. In fact, you could be dehydrated right now and not even realize it. The best way to begin the habit of staying better hydrated is to do just that — create habits. For instance, I began feeling much better throughout my mornings when I started drinking a full glass of water upon waking.
Here are some ways to work more water into you day:
- Drink a glass before every meal.
- Alternate other beverages with one glass of water.
- Ask for a glass of water alongside soda, coffee or tea at restaurants.
- Keep a bottle of water at your desk.
- Drink water in the afternoon when your energy level dips (and before you hit the vending machine!).
- Drink a full glass of water both before and after exercising.
- If you start feeling a little off (slightly nauseated) or a headache coming on (a sign of dehydration), drink a glass of water.
- Switch to 12-oz. water glasses at home instead of 8-oz. ones.
- Keep a bottle of water in your car when the weather is mild.
What are some ways you ensure to get your water in every day? Please share with us!
Article taken from: http://weightloss.about.com/od/eatsmart/qt/ttdrinkwater.htm