ALL OF OUR CELLS NEED WATER
Originally Published: AUGUST 31, 2015
Summer may be ending but warm days are still ahead! With all of our hustle and bustle, we need to make sure we are constantly hydrated. Many of my clients have symptoms that can be attributed to low water intake. Signs of dehydration can include fatigue, headaches, constipation, cramps, lack of energy, reduced brain function, the list goes on! Our bodies are roughly 70% water and every one of our billions of cells must remain hydrated to function optimally- it’s essential for life. A good starting point is 2 litres a day, and this includes herbal teas, fresh soups, and raw, organic fruits and vegetables. If you are doing this already, high fives all around! Remember though, there are certain foods and drinks that dehydrate us. If you’re someone that includes any of the list below in your daily diet, you must drink at least a cup more water for each habit:
- coffee + caffeinated drinks, pop, fruit juices, black teas, etc.
- processed and refined sugars
- boxed, canned, processed and refined foods
- intense exercise
- chronic stress
Dry skin, chapped lips, and dark urine are a few of the other ways that your body is telling you to drink up! Try to make a routine of your water intake. Start your day with two big glasses of lemon water, drink one mid morning and mid afternoon, and drink a big glass before meals. Whenever you leave to do errands, or take the kids to soccer, don’t forget your own water bottle! Here are a few super hydrating drinks to consume daily for optimal health and hydration:
- Warm water with fresh lemon first thing in the morning, aids digestion and supports natural detoxification by helping the bowels to flush out waste more efficiently.
- Coconut water is nature's Gatorade. It provides the electrolytes calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium which are essential for refuelling after a workout or if you’ve been sick. Make sure you read the label though, it should be low in sugar with no additives or sweeteners.
- Green juices are the best way to deliver a huge amount of bio-available nutrients to your cells. These drinks help your body to detoxify, add alkalinity to your system, and give you a huge burst of energy.
- Kombucha is a carbonated fermented beverage loaded with good gut bacteria, which helps your digestion and manages bloating. It’s a great transition drink if you are trying to reduce your pop intake.
- Herbal teas carry so many health benefits from increased energy and immune boosting qualities, calming effects on the nervous system, and a load of anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.