
Water plays an important role in your
life. Just like a plant will wilt without water in just a day, so will your
body. Water is not only thirst-quenching but has many health benefits for your
body and vital organs.
Some of them are:
o Prevents
dehydration
o Regulates
body temperature
o Carries
nutrients and oxygen to the cells
o Provides
moisture to the skin and other tissues
o Helps
prevent constipation
o Cushions
joints
o Helps
strengthen muscles
And,
what’s more, it contains no calories, fat or cholesterol, and is low in sodium!
How much water is enough?
While
you probably know the health benefits of drinking plenty of water, drinking
enough of it is another story.
An average healthy adult needs to consume at least 8 glasses of water on a
daily basis and this quantity should be increased during the summer and when
exercising. If your water consumption is lower than recommended, here’s what
you can do to drink more:
Tips for drinking more water
o Drink a
glass of water as soon as you get up everyday
o Add slices
of lemon, lime or orange to your water for a hint of flavour if you do not like
to drink plain water
o Use
straws, add ice and get fun to go containers
o Enjoy
water breaks at work
o Replace
other drinks with water at meal times
o Take water
bottles with you to work or college
o Always
have cold water on hand ready to drink
o Keep a cup
of water on your desk to sip on while you work
o Whenever
you pass by a drinking water fountain, take a drink
o Instead of
a soft drink or soda, reach for bottled water in the convenience store as well
as from the vending machine
o Drink
sparkling water instead of carbonated beverages at parties or restaurants
o Pack
bottled water in your carry-on luggage when travelling by plane
o Drink
water before, during and after physical activity
o Do not
wait until you are thirsty to drink water; stay hydrated all day long
Good to Remember:
Did you know that
drinking a glass of water before you eat helps to curb your appetite? It is
easy to confuse hunger with being thirsty; so try water first. Drinking water
makes you feel trimmer and it’s the best choice for quenching your thirst
between meals. Getting in the habit of drinking more water may take time, so
increase your intake gradually and eventually you’ll easily consume what you
need.