Thinking Outside the Water Bottle

Last week I posted about drinking water and it being a challenge for me. Keeping a bottle of water on my desk or in my car reminds me that I need to drink half of my body weight in ounces everyday. Reading about the fact that I don't have to just drink plain water I can eat the fruits and vegetables that I like that are water-dense can help with hydration as well!! I keep a glass jug with iced tea with lemons or herbs in my fridge and I also drink that during the day. I start my day with a whey-based protein shake which helps with my weight management routine and it helps me stay full so that I don't eat junk food.

Thinking Outside the Water Bottle

When determining personal water and fluid intake needed for optimal hydration, one of the best things to remember is to not become thirsty. Achieve this by drinking plenty of plain water, in addition to other healthy fluids like coffee, tea, electrolyte-enhanced beverages, and whey-based protein drinks. Eating plenty of water-dense fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, and watermelon, contribute to optimal hydration as well. Also be sure to add plenty of delicious and healthy drinks and water-dense produce to meals and snacks. Optimal hydration doesn’t have to mean chugging down jugs and jugs of water, but can be achieved with a variety of fluids and delicious foods.

7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water

The human body comprises around 60% water.

It’s commonly recommended that you drink eight 8-ounce (237-mL) glasses of water per day (the 8×8 rule).

Although there’s little science behind this specific rule, staying hydrated is important.

Here are 7 evidence-based health benefits of drinking plenty of water.

1. Helps maximize physical performance

If you don’t stay hydrated, your physical performance can suffer.

If you exercise intensely and tend to sweat, staying hydrated can help you perform at your absolute best.

Losing as little as 2% of your body’s water content can significantly impair your physical performance.

2. Significantly affects energy levels and brain function

Your brain is strongly influenced by your hydration status.

Mild dehydration (fluid loss of 1–3%) can impair energy levels, impair mood, and lead to major reductions in memory and brain performance.

3. May help prevent and treat headaches

Dehydration can trigger headaches and migraine in some individuals

Drinking water may help reduce headaches and headache symptoms. However, more high quality research is needed to confirm this potential benefit.

4. May help relieve constipation

Constipation is a common problem that’s characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stool.

Increasing fluid intake is often recommended as a part of the treatment protocol, and there’s some evidence to back this up.

Drinking plenty of water may help prevent and relieve constipation, especially in people who generally don’t drink enough water.

5. May help treat kidney stones

Urinary stones are painful clumps of mineral crystal that form in the urinary system.

Increased water intake appears to decrease the risk of kidney stone formation.

6. Helps prevent hangovers

A hangover refers to the unpleasant symptoms experienced after drinking alcohol .

Hangovers are partly caused by dehydration, and drinking water can help reduce some of the main symptoms of hangovers.

7. Can aid weight loss

Drinking plenty of water can help you lose weight .

This is because water can increase satiety and boost your metabolic rate.

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