Why Water?

Each week I want to do a post here focusing on one of the Healthy Habits that we are working on building.  I'm certainly not an expert so I'd love your input, and comments on these posts. 

WHY WATER?

A DROP IN THE BUCKET 

Just a Few of the Benefits of Drinking Enough Water

Water Helps You Lose Weight

Water is a natural appetite suppressant and has zero calories.  Drinking a glass of water 30 mins before each meal will help you eat fewer calories.  According to livestrong.com we often misinterpret thirst for hunger.  If you're feeling hungry, before reaching for a snack, have a glass of water and wait 20 mins.  If your still hungry grab that apple and munch away, if you don't, maybe you were just thirsty.

Water Boosts Mood and Brain Power

Did you know that 90% of your brain is made up of water? No wonder dehydration effects our mental clarity and mood. Researchers from Tufts University say that even mild dehydration is associated with feelings of anger, depression, and confusion.

Water Keeps You Looking Young

"You can look significantly younger just by keeping your skin hydrated," says Howard Murad, M.D., associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. "Water naturally plumps skin, fills in fine lines and wrinkles, and boosts a lackluster complexion."

Water Helps Energize Muscles.

Your muscles consist of 75% water. "When muscle cells don't have adequate fluids, they don't work as well and performance can suffer," says adjunct professor of medicine at Stanford University Steven Guest, MD.  While exercising follow the guidelines provided by the American College of Sports Medicine.  They recommend that people drink about 17 ounces of fluid about two hours before exercise. During exercise, they recommend that people start drinking fluids early, and drink them at regular intervals to replace fluids lost by sweating.

Water Helps Your Kidneys.

Water transports waste products in and out of cells.   "Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate,"explains Guest.  When you're getting enough fluids your urine should be light in color. Dark urine is a sign of dehydration.



sources: livestrong.com,  mangosteen-natural-remedies.com, webmd.com