Water – a Basic Need
Do you know enough about water and how it helps you? Water is a basic need.
The best gauge of how much water to drink should be gauged on how thirsty you are and when you need a drink. The 8 cups a day may or may not be optimal for you – just drink when you think of it and feel thirsty (if you don’t drink much or your pee is quite yellow, you need to drink more – if the pee is clear to pale yellow you are drinking enough). An athlete may need more water than a sedentary person and should drink before getting thirsty, so not to have issues when thirst hits. For some, drinking too much can cause water toxicity – this is a rare occurrence, though anyone can drink too much and be affected.
Water is best to keep you hydrated – no calories, and hopefully the least impurities (in some places you should filter your water). There are other drinks that you can drink, in moderation – but most are worse than water. Eating fresh produce also gives you useful water – especially watermelon (but in moderation due to sugar calories). If straight water isn’t palatable for you, add a few drops of lemon juice, or berry juice, or letting fruits or cucumbers or herbs (like mint) sit in water for a while and drink it.
Water should be fresh – and may need to be filtered depending on your area. When traveling to other countries you will often want bottled water over tap water as the impurities in the water may upset your system (locals can drink it because their systems are acclimated to the water).
If you have trouble retaining water, which I do, you can add electrolytes to your water. That could be something at a store (but avoid sugars), or you can add lemon or some pure salt (not the table salt which has anti-caking chemicals added). You may drink aloe juice to help, as well. Water retention is important. My acupuncturist noticed it in my tongue analysis years ago and knew that I drink a lot. She suggested the electrolytes and aloe juice to help. When I was in the hospital, they filled my water in a measured bottle, then put a pan in the toilet to measure how much I peed out. They said I peed out exactly as much as they gave me. I had no electrolytes in the hospital so that was more proof that I don’t retain it.
Make sure you fill your water bottle every day (several times) and drink. When you fill your water – put a pinch of pure salt in it first – pure sea salt or Himalayan salt. Adding the salt may help water convert to the form the body needs and helps retains water for usefulness.
Don’t use BPA containers – and take your water bottle everywhere. Drink electrolytes before and after working out, after a massage, acupuncture, chiropractor, physical therapy or after an Epsom salt bath (to help remove any toxins that are released, and to refresh your body). I add electrolytes to my water in these cases.
Bottled water is mostly straight tap water in a bottle, and often in a BPA bottle – you need to keep it away from heat and sun – the plastic toxins of the bottle leach into your water. Bottles of water should be kept in cool, dark areas, If you leave it for a while in light or heat, you will see particles that dropped out in the bottom of the bottle – kind of gross. The same issue could occur with a personal water bottle. If you fill a water bottle, make sure it is non-BPA, and wash it frequently.
Coffee and tea are ok to drink in moderation, but coffee, tea, sodas and alcohol are diuretics – so it flows through you fast and rid your body of water. Tea has healing properties, but you need to look for organic, pure sources. Fruit juices are concentrated and sugary, so drink in moderation. Vitamin water and other healthy sounding drinks are largely not good for anything, other than making money for the manufacturer. There is very little benefit from the minute number of vitamins and “nutrition” in them. It’s cheaper to take a vitamin that has the full daily requirement, or better yet – eat good, nutritious foods.
Milk is good for other nutrients and fat (and may be a good source for rehydrating), if you drink non-GMO pasture raised cow or goat milk. Drink milk in moderation, and not to replace it with water.
If straight water isn’t palatable for you, add a few drops of lemon juice, or berry juice and drink it.
When you have blood drawn for any reason, make sure to drink plenty of water for hours (and the prior day) before the blood draw – the veins will be more visible, and blood will flow better. If you are not hydrated, it’s harder to find a vein that gives blood. You don’t want to be poked several times, looking for a vein that has blood flow.
Your kidneys need to stay healthy to get toxins out of your system. Water helps the kidneys and other organs perform well. You skin needs the hydration too. Replacing other drinks with water can help you lose weight by switching the calories to nothing. Constipation can be helped by drinking more water. There are so many needs and benefits to water!
Stay properly hydrated – your body will appreciate it in many ways. Your body and blood are made up of mostly water – so keep it hydrated. Drink or sip water all day long.
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