If we asked what the most important nutrient is that we as humans consume, what would be the answer? Would it be protein? Perhaps carbohydrates? Maybe a low-carb eating protocol, we would say that fats are most important. How many would say water? Needless to say, plain old water does not get enough publicity unless, of course, it is bottled, infused, coloured and “jacked up” with the latest health craze ingredients.
Plain and simple, water is the most important nutrient we can consume. Every aspect of our body requires water to function properly. We can survive weeks without food, but only days or hours without water. Statistics have revealed that 75% of people are operating in a dehydrated state every single day. Is this something to be alarmed about? The answer is, it depends. To be living a healthy life and allowing the body to operate optimally then yes, we should be alarmed and take action.
Being hydrated each day is crucial to many aspects of overall health. Being properly hydrated helps regulate body temperature, provide proper joint lubrication, supports infection prevention and nutrient delivery to cells to name a few. If our body is well hydrated it will also improve sleep quality, mental cognition and overall mood.
5 Ways to Increase Hydration
- Drink water… and plenty of it. The recommendation is 64 oz (8 cups) of water per day. Additional research has come out however, recommending even more. Therefore, make the 8 cups a starting point and try to get in 10-12 cups of water per day. NOTE: Even more isn’t always better. Don’t go crazy drinking water as we can over hydrate. So keep it at or around the recommended levels (Men can increase their water consumption to upwards of 16 cups per day while women should stay in the 12 cups range)
- If the “flavour” of water is a concern, drop in a slice of cucumber, a slice of lemon or lime, or perhaps a sliced strawberry or add a scoop of EWYN BCAAs. That little bit of flavour will go a long way.
- Consume hydrating foods. Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, oranges (not orange juice), cucumbers and lettuce are all great hydrating food options (all in the 88% – 96% water content range).
- Keep away from pop/soda, fruit juice and alcoholic beverages. Keep these types of fluids at an incredibly low (to zero) level.
- Moderate levels of coffee and tea consumption can actually be hydrating and provide some health effects. However, this only holds true if the consumption is moderate to low levels of both.
PRO TIP: Try a little “water therapy” each morning. Consume a glass of water every morning immediately upon waking. Work up to a 1 litre of water first thing every morning to provide your body with a jump-start of hydration. This will give the body a very beneficial “inner bath” which will help clear toxins and waste. Add a squeeze of lemon to that water for healthy cocktail. By adding some lemon it will help get digestive juices going. These digestive juices will improve stomach and digestive function.
In summary, make hydrating a priority. Not everyone is a water drinker, start slow and build up an “appetite” for it. Working up to 8 cups a day and then eventually be able to get up to the 12-cup range in no time.