Water: Liquid Life

I am always thirsty these days. I never get enough to drink!  I always start with my morning coffee then I might not drink ANYTHING until dinner.  I realize that none of you really care about my daily "drinking habits" but I thought as a holder of a degree in nutrition I should know better.  And now I am going to share some good reasons that we should all drink a lot of water (8 cups, which really means 64 oz., which is 2 average size nalgenes**) everyday!

Water....

-the largest component of the body

-required to dissolve and absorb nutrients

-helps with good circulation

-prevents dry skin (literally hydrate from the inside out!)

-regulates body fluids- making sure minerals go where they belong

-regulates body temperature

-accounts for 1/3 of your body weight (but should not be withheld to decrease numbers on the scale!)

-thirst is triggered when your blood (thickness) is changed due to lack of water

-lost through the consumption of caffeine or alcohol (they are natural diuretics (make you tinkle)

-lost in high altitude, low humidity, and of course high temps

-when you are dehydrated, the kidneys conserve water changing the concentration of your tinkle, but there is a limit to the concentration the kidneys can make (some water is always lost)

-the body can't "store" water, it must be continually replaced

-infants need to stay hydrated b/e they can't produce concentrated urine (milk counts as liquid!)

-unless you exercise heavily or are sick, thirst is a good enough signal to drink water

-dehydration causes headache, fatigue, nausea, difficulty concentrating, muscle spasms. insomnia, death (if you don't feel absolutely normal and good, try drinking water first)

- being consistently mildly dehydrated increases the risk of kidney stones, colon and breast cancer, increased risk of childhood obesity

if you don't like to drink water...

- other liquids count too, but remember caffeine and alcohol work against hydration

-lettuce, celery, cucumbers, cabbage (uncooked), and watermelon are all more than 90% water

-almost all fruits and veggies have more than 70% water content

Now Go Drink Some Water!!

**8 cups/ 64 oz is a very general average and is probably not the exact amount you need.  In general men need a little more, women need less.  If you exercise a lot you probably need more, depending on your definition of a lot.

Today's Picture:  Doesn't it make water look good?!  This is a picture I took from a baby shower I helped  host.  The fruit slices not only make it pretty, but make it taste good too!  You should give it a try.  (also good with lemon, lime, strawberry, or cucumber)

Sorry this is so long, I am a nutrition NERD, even if it is only head knowledge (I lack application)