What’s This Magical Energy Drink?

Water is the most vital component of your body and every single cell depends on it. We need water to help eliminate wastes and toxins, carry nutrients and oxygen to cells, help act as a cushion for your nervous system, keep joints lubricated, regulate our body temperature and, most importantly, keep body cells hydrated.

Water also increases energy levels. If you are tired during the day, it’s probably because you are dehydrated.

Yet the question still remains. How much water should you drink each day?

Many of us are walking around in a constant state of dehydration; totally unaware of the health risk it poses. When you’re not getting enough water, you’ll be sluggish, lethargic, and most likely mistake thirst for hunger.

Dehydration (when water loss exceeds intake) can strike in virtually every scenario that involves physical activity. It doesn’t have to be hot and you don’t have to see visible perspiration. You can become dehydrated swimming laps or skiing on a cold day.

Other than making us feel thirsty, common signs of dehydration include dry mouth, flushed skin, headaches, dizziness, constipation, fatigue or muscle cramps. If not treated correctly, severe dehydration can lead to mental delusion or unconsciousness and will require medical attention.

Common wisdom recommends adults drink 8-10 cups daily, but most experts agree it’s not possible to specify a quantity that is suitable for everyone.

Why? How much water you need depends on how rapidly you are losing it from your body, and this is influenced by many factors including your health status, climate, how active you are, your age and what food and beverages you consume.

In normal environmental conditions, the turnover of water (via breathing, sweating, bowel and urine movements) in most adults is approximately 4 per cent of total body weight. This is equivalent to 5 - 6 pints a day in a 154lb adult. The food we consume contributes approximately 20 per cent of total water intake.

So if you drink 4 pints of water each day, along with your normal diet, you typically replace the lost fluid.

SO REMEMBER TO KEEP DRINKING WATER!