H2O: How much is enough?

Are you getting enough?

How much water are you drinking daily?

How much should you drink?

Does coffee count?

💧Water is the primary component in our body fluids, including our digestive juices amongst the more obvious blood, sweat and tears.

💦 With proper hydration, you can properly circulate, digest, absorb and eliminate - the processes that are crucial to our bodily systems. Water carries electrolytes that convey electrical currents in the body (calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and sodium). 

🚰 Our needs vary depending upon climate, diet, and our activity level. Most of us need approx. 12 cups worth (about 4-5 cups come from the food we eat), yet 42% of us consume 2 glasses (or less) a day!!

🐫 Dehydration is linked to arthritis, diabetes, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, heartburn, high blood pressure, kidney stones, lupus, migraines, and even MS.

How much water do you need daily?

Most of us need at least 2.5L per day. A good rule of thumb is to take your weight in pounds and divide it in half. This gives you the number of ounces you should drink. So if you weigh 150 lb, aim for 75 oz per day. 200 lb? aim for 100 oz.

Can water solve constipation?

Water alone will not solve this problem. There are two main obstacles to overcome with constipation: bulk and motility. Each of these relates to a particular type of fibre. Soluble fibre, which needs water btw, helps with the bulk portion. Insoluble fibre helps with the motility. Solving this equation takes a low and slow approach. A gallon of water and two cans of beans won’t solve for this. If you’re constipated (and by constipated, this can include going daily but feeling like it’s incomplete) working with a professional to best understand the reasons for the constipation is the best place to start. If you’re in need of a holistic nutritionist to help you find your healthy way out of constipation, book your free discovery call with me today!

Can water help me lose weight?

Sometimes, we are actually thirsty when we feel hungry. Drinking water in lieu of a snack that you don’t necessarily need or even want can definitely help with losing weight. Feeling hydrated can help you feel full and satiated.

Drinking water can help you to burn energy, or literally calories. But it’s incremental and don’t expect to lose a stone overnight after pounding water the first time. Water is also essential for metabolizing fat from the food we aeat.

Keeping the body hydrated can help to build that bulk from the soluble fibre mentioned up above. Water helps the kidneys filter toxins and waste. When you’re dehydrated your kidneys will retain water and thus you can be holding onto water weight. Flushing the system will help with digestion and reduce the bloat.

3 Ways to get more water into your day:

🍋🍵 Add a slice of lemon, lime, or some fresh mint leaves, or a green tea bag (yes, cold)

🫐🍓Add some frozen berries (or frozen watermelon)

⏳⏰ Set a timer to refill your 1L container every 2 hours

So, are you staying hydrated? And how much water are you drinking daily?