Water is one of the most important nutrients for optimal health, detoxification and fat loss. All biochemical reactions in the body require water. Your body is approximately 70% water, your brain tissue ~75% water, and your blood is ~83% water.
Many people are chronically dehydrated and consume a majority of their calories from sugary or caffeinated beverages including soda, energy drinks, fruit juice, lattes, and alcohol, and very little, if any water.
You can become dehydrated from an intense workout, excessive sweating, too much alcohol consumption, use of OTC drugs, when you’re sick (disease, diarrhea, vomiting), starvation, or just not consuming enough water.
Dehydration causes the following:
- Acidic environment (perfect for disease and cancer cell development)
- Constipation
- Decreased performance. According to a 2008 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology, dehydrated exercisers produce more stress hormones, while reducing the release of testosterone.
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Joint pain; low back pain; muscle cramps and spasms,
- Decreased immune function
- Poor concentration
- Toxic build up
| * Helps lower elevated cholesterol | * Weight maintenance aiding with fat loss |
| * Eliminates waste and flushes out toxins | * Central nervous system and brain function |
| * Regulates body temperature | * Transport nutrients |
| * Lowers cortisol | * Boosts metabolism |
| * Lubricates your spine, bones, joints and muscles | * Stimulates digestion – Do not drink fluids w/ your meals because fluids will dilute stomach acid needed to digest food |
Before meals, enjoy a cup or two of water with the fresh juice from a lemon or lime. In a study, those who drank two cups of water before each meal lost an average of 5 pounds more weight over a 12-week calorie controlled diet than those who followed the same diet but did not drink the water.
Instead of plastic bottles, store your water in a glass bottle such as the Voss water bottles or a BPA-free container. Install an RO system in your home to avoid chlorine and fluoride consumption.
Monitor Intake of other Fluids:
Alcohol, in excess, is a toxin to the body. Heavy drinking affects your brain, and increases your risk of cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis. If you regularly drink 3-4 pints of beer a day, 2-3 glasses of wine or 3-4 shots, wake up – you’re a heavy drinker. The liver is an amazingly resilient organ, however you can abuse your liver for years and seem fine until one day the damage is serious.
• Unprocessed sea salt (increases mineral content, nourishing for those with adrenal fatigue and helps your body absorb water)• Cucumber slices• Fresh mint
Copyright © Paula Owens
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