It is recommended that most people should consume around 2 litres of water per day and it is generally accepted that most of us do not achieve that level. Have you ever suffered with headaches, lethargy or poor concentration? If so then there is a good chance that these symptoms are as a result of dehydration.
Water has a major role in almost all bodily functions:
So it stands to reason that if we do not replace the water that we lose throughout the day, our bodies are likely to suffer.
Water is the best drink for hydration; it has no calories, caffeine, sugar, salt, carbonation, colouring or preservatives; not a claim that can be made by any other drink.
Regular and steady consumption of a good quality drinking water throughout the day will have a miraculous effect on the body
During periods of high physical activity it is particularly important to keep the body hydrated in order to maintain optimum performance. This can be done by having a drink of water before, during and after exercise.
Many illnesses require water in order to aid recovery; this is particularly the case during bouts of sickness and diarrhoea where to body is losing large amounts of water.
Studies in the USA have shown that dieters frequently mistake the body’s desire for water as hunger pangs. Dieters have found that even one glass of water reduces the hunger pangs and drinking water has helped them to reduce their food intake.
Recent studies show that drinking water may play a role in the regulation of your metabolism–your body’s calorie-burning engine. For one thing, if you become dehydrated, your metabolism tends to slow down, meaning that you won’t burn as many calories as normal while at rest.
Dieting also causes the body to produce more waste which in turn requires more water to help remove it from the body.
It’s easy to forget to drink water through the day, so here’s a few tips to help you stay hydrated