There are a lot of literature about drinking water. Some say you have to drink 64 oz or 8 glasses of water daily. It can either be plain water or in the form of other fluid or foods. Some will suggest drink 2 glasses of water when you wake up in the morning or warm lemon water to stave off cancer. In any case, drinking water is beneficial to our health but do we drink that much of water daily?
Here are 5 reasons to make sure you’re drinking enough water or other fluids daily:
Help prevent and treat headaches: When I had my 6 month post-surgery checkup with my neurosurgeon, I raised my concern on how to prevent or reduce headaches. Drinking enough water daily was one of his suggestion among others.
Help relieve constipation: On the different articles I’ve read, this one is something I’m a bit dubious. I have a problem with constipation at times. I’ve constantly been drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of plain water daily but I still have issues with constipation. Maybe I should add more fiber to my diet on top of the water I’m drinking.
Can aid weight loss: How? If you drink soda or other sweetened beverage daily, your calorie intake will increase. High calories and less movement equals to weight gain. In my ESMM class, the instructor suggested not to go turkey with your sweetened beverage intake. She suggested to reduce maybe at least 1 day a week without sweetened beverage will at least help to slowly reduce your weight.
Increase energy levels and brain function: Do you notice that when you’re dehydrated that you can’t concentrate or you’re feeling lethargic or even cranky? I do. A simple way to reduce it is to drink water. If you don’t like drinking plain water, you can do fruit-infused water. Don’t go buying those drinks in the supermarket but just make it yourself by adding fruits to your drinks.
Water helps your kidneys: do you know that the darker your pee is, the more dehydrated you are? If you don’t drink enough, your kidneys can’t do a proper job to cleanse and rid your body of toxins. If you chronically drink too little water, you may be at higher risk for kidney stones.
Here are some tips to help you increase your fluid intake:
Eat more fruits and vegetables with high water content: Fruits such as watermelon, melons, orange, peach, pineapple, strawberry. Vegetables such bell peppers, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini
Keep a bottle of water wherever you are: there are water bottles which are big enough to hold 64 oz of water with time on the side to remind you to drink enough water. In the office, I prefer a smaller water bottle to give me more opportunity to move more as I head to the pantry to refill my water.
Create your own infused water drink: in my previous company, they have fruit infused water in the cafeteria. I would refill my water bottle to create a variety in my drink. The most simple infused water drink is adding a slice of lemon. Another great infused water recipe is adding slices of cucumber and strawberries.
Set reminders or alarms: Just like my fitbit or apple watch reminds me to stand or take 250 steps every hour, you could set reminders to drink half a glass or a glass of water.
Drink a glass of water before every meal: my aunt always reminds us to drink water before every meal to help us digest our meal. Moreover, drinking a glass of water sometimes help us feel full.
Photograph by iStock/turk_stock_photographer
Claudine on the Go 