3 Reasons to Drink More Water

Your body is made up of about 70% water. Sounds, crazy, but it’s true! And your body depends on all that water.

This large percentage of fluid helps to regulate the temperate of your body’s cells, organs, and tissues and maintain other bodily functions. Without it, we could not live.

In fact, even being slightly dehydrated can cause problems, like dizziness and headaches—our bodies’ own warning signs that it’s time to rehydrate!

Now here’s the million-dollar question…what does water do in our bodies that makes it so important? Keep reading to find out why it’s important to stay hydrated!

Water Helps Us Transport and Metabolize Food

Water is an essential element in transporting waste and fluids. It’s also vital to metabolizing food. Without it, the proper chemical reactions of digestion cannot occur.

And when you’re unable to digest food properly, you’ll be certain to experience abdominal discomfort and a bad tummy ache.

Not to mention, the carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are also metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream. If we don’t have enough water in our system, we are unable to absorb the nutrients we need to stay energized and healthy.

Water Helps Removes Toxins from the Body

The body needs fluids to flush out the body’s toxins and waste products.

When hydrated, water moves through the kidneys, liver, and intestines to help cleanse and rid your body of harmful toxins.

Water also naturally suppresses the appetite, which helps the body metabolize and get rid of stored fat deposits—another form of flushing out stored-up waste.

Water Regulates Body Temperature

Water is essential for regulating the body’s cooling system.

It works by enabling the body to release heat when the temperature is higher than our body temperature. In other words, it allows us to sweat, which is our body’s most efficient way to cool itself when overheated.

Clearly, water does a lot for the body, and it’s very important. But, not everyone consumes enough water to help her body function at its best.

Personally, we think making flavored water is a great way to encourage us to drink more. So, to help you start drinking more water on a daily basis, we’re going to share a delicious flavored water recipe with you.

Check it out…

Strawberry Mint Water

Ingredients:

  • 6 – 8 sliced strawberries
  • 1 cup of mint leaves
  • 40 oz. of cold purified water
  • Ice

Directions:

#1 Slice up 6-8 strawberries.

#2 Crush 1 cup of mint leaves.

#3 Add ingredients to 40 oz. of water. If needed, add ice.

#4 Let sit for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to let flavors meld together.

#5 Enjoy!

Recipe source: http://www.inspiredbythis.com/dwell/berry-infused-water/

What do you do to make sure you drink lots of water? Share in the comments below!

Don’t Like Drinking Water? Here’s How to Make It Delicious

We all know we need to drink water every day, but let’s face it… water isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. Depending on your pipes and where you live, your water may not be the best tasting, so here are a few ways to make it taste better.

Filter it.
You can filter with a home filtration system, a faucet unit, a pitcher, or a bottle. The choice is yours. You’ll be amazed at how much better your water tastes—just be certain to change the filter per the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Buy it.
You can buy just about any type and flavor of water you wish. From mineral to sparkling and from apple to kiwi flavors, take your pick! Try several different kinds to see which taste great and quench your thirst.

Add to it.
Add a squirt of lemon and / or lime, a little fruit juice, or just a splash of soda to flavor it. Use your imagination, and drinking your daily water will be something you look forward to.

Make your own.
Here are a few recipes from http://www.sheismynutritionist.com/8-home-made-vitamins-water-recipes/ to make your own vitamin water. Enjoy!

  1. Lemon and cucumber: In a pitcher, mix 10 cups of water, 1 cucumber, and a lemon, thinly sliced. Add 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf and 1/3 cup of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
    1. Pineapple and mint: In a pitcher, mix 10 cups of water, 1 cup of pineapple cut into cubes, and 12 fresh mint leaves finely chopped. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
    2. Apple and cinnamon: In a pitcher, mix 10 cups of water, 1 cup of apples cut into cubes, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving.