Drink Water: A Simple Tip for Being the Best YOU!

You’ve heard it all your life-drink water, it’s good for you!  

Water is not only calorie, sugar, and sodium-free, its also easy to access and can be free of charge if you carry your own refillable bottle around!

Many of us don’t really know how much water we actually should be consuming, but you have probably heard that you should have 8 x 8 ounce glasses a day, which equates to 64 ounces. While that is a good start, research has shown that we may actually need more that that each day, recommended to drink women at least 72 ounces and men at least 96. This is because our body loses water through sweat, urine, breathing, and bowel movements, as well as exercise, caffeine and alcohol intake, high-fiber diets, and high altitudes. It is necessary to keep the fluid levels in our body replenished because of all of the important functions of water, and if we don’t have enough, our bodies can’t work the way that they’re supposed to!

Some examples of the role that water plays in bodily function are that it helps to regulate body temperature, it protects your body organs and tissues, lubricates your joints, flushes out waste products and toxins from your kidneys and liver, and aids in the dissolving of minerals and nutrients to make them available for use in your body. With all that responsibility, no wonder we don’t feel great when we are dehydrated!

Signs of dehydration include light-headedness, thirst, fatigue, dizziness, dry lips, mouth and tongue, and confusion. Being sick or taking certain medications can contribute to dehydration, so make sure that you are drinking lots of water as part of your treatment plan.

While drinking plain water is the best way to replenish your fluids, there are other options such as soups, milk, 100% fruit juice (no added sugars), and decaffeinated teas. Many fruits and vegetables also contain high amounts of water, like watermelon, cucumbers, lettuce, and berries. Consuming more fruits and veggies can contribute to overall daily fluid intake with the added benefit of important vitamins and minerals.

Struggling to stay hydrated? Try some of these tips!

• Begin your day with a glass of water
• Carry a water bottle with you, ALWAYS!
• Swap your soda at lunch with water
• Set reminders on your phone to drink water throughout the day
• Add cucumbers, lemons, limes, basil, mint, or your favorite fruit to make an infused water

Being well-hydrated is ESSENTIAL to being the best YOU!

Written by co-host Ashleigh Geurin