The human body is made up of over 75% of water and as we all know, we cannot live without water!
Water has however, been replaced in most diets by soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened refreshments. You have to keep in mind that water is healthier and necessary for leading yourself towards better health and longevity.
Your own personal need for water can vary greatly due to:
- Exercise
- Weight
- Temperature
Research has proven that over two-thirds of adults don’t get the water they need on a daily basis! By drinking water on a regular basis, you can replenish your body and keep it well hydrated and functioning as it should be.
A majority of people wait until they are thirsty before they drink water. Keep in mind this way isn’t a reliable gauge of the water needed for the body. By the time you are thirsty, you have already lost two or more cups of the body’s water supply. Therefore, drinking water regularly is much better than simply waiting until you are thirsty!
It is also very important that you don’t substitute beverages with alcohol and caffeine for water. The reason behind this is that those types of beverages act as a diuretic and can actually cause you to lose more weight through increased urination. You may think and feel as if you are getting more water through these beverages, although the fact is that you are letting it go almost as fast as you consume it!
Anytime you exercise, you need more water. Due to perspiration, your body will lose quite a bit of water. For each pound lost due to exercise, you need to drink 2 cups of water.
Even when you lay down to sleep, your body loses water! By drinking a glass or more of water before you go to sleep, you can wake up with your body functioning as it should be.
It should obvious that when you are sick, you’ll need more water than any other time! When you get a cold or the flu, your body can become dehydrated quite quickly. You can help to prevent this by drinking more water at times when you become sick.
Always make it a habit to drink water on a daily basis. Try to keep a bottle of water with you at all times and drink it throughout the day. You should also teach yourself to drink water, instead of other beverages that don’t replenish the nutrients your body needs!