The Importance of Drinking Water!

Water makes your metabolism burn calories 3% faster: Drinking water is important if you're trying to lose weight. Some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If there is a slight dehydration the thirst mechanism may be mistaken for hunger and one may eat when the body is actually craving fluid. As most food contains some water, if one doesn't drink much they may be subconsciously driven to eat more to gain the necessary water supply. However, you also gain the undesired effects of increased calorie consumption.

Importance of drinking water in the modern diet: So many new food products created today not only contain high amounts of energy from added sugar and fats, they also contain very little water. Foods today need to be stored for longer periods and foods with a high water content tend to spoil much faster (think about milk, yogurt, eggs, fruits and vegetables).

How much do I need to drink to benefit losing weight?: For the average person, experts suggest getting at least 64 ounces of water daily or eight 8-ounce glasses. If you are on a diet to lose weight it is more important to consume more and keep drinking water throughout the day, unless you have a medical condition that doesn't allow much water intake. A good guide for daily intake is to drink 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight. A 200 pound person should be drinking around 100 ounces (12.5 cups) of water in order the gain the benefits of increased energy and metabolism.

If exercising is part of a weight loss program, a bit more water should be included to account for water loss from sweating. Drinking water before, during, and after exercise will keep energy levels high and help recovery after training. Many people don't like drinking pure water. Gaining water from eating fruit high in water content is a great way to boost water consumption without drinking it directly. Fruit will also help fill up the stomach with low calories and gain vitamins, minerals, and phyto-nutrients to increase vitality.

Health benefits of drinking water: Regulate appetite, increase metabolism, boost energy levels, beat water retention, alleviate some headaches, help reduce blood pressure and high cholesterol, ease joint pain, lessen chances of developing kidney stones, release toxic waste products, and improve skin.
Cautions to consider: People with kidney problems or other conditions where fluid intake needs to be limited should follow their doctor’s recommendations with correct sodium intake. Always seek advice from your doctor before trying any new diet or changing eating and/or drinking habits!