Blog Post #9c: Water
While people may not think that water needed to be included in the nutrient discussion, it is quite vital. In this post, we will discuss:
what does water do to your body?
what happens if I do not drink enough water?
how much water should I drink in a day?
what are diuretics?
What does water do to your body?
Water is essential for daily function. Water helps your body regulate temperature, as well as helps to remove waste from the body, carry nutrients throughout the body, and rehydrate after a workout. Water can also help with lubrication around your joints and organs.
What happens if I do not drink enough water?
If you do not drink enough water, you can become dehydrated. Unfortunately, dehydration can happen rather suddenly, so you need to be on top of your water consumption. Dehydration can be identified by fatigue and thirst, but you can also see the signs of dehydration from dry skin, and organ failure, which can even lead to death.
How much water should I drink in a day?
The average recommended fluid intake is 8 cups per day for the average adult. Now for some math: one cup is 8 ounces, so 8 ounces consumed 8 times a day is 64 ounces of water consumed daily. If you exercise, you will need more to replenish your water losses, so aim for 11-15 cups of water in a day. Overall, if you consume more water in a day, it will not hurt your body. Water is only needed to be monitored if you have heart issues or kidney issues, like being on dialysis.
What are diuretics?
You can consume other liquids that can make your body get rid of water, known as diuretics. Coffee and tea are diuretics that can still be counted towards your daily fluid intake, but they can also help your body get rid of excess water and extra sodium. You can also take diuretic pills that can help your body get rid of excess fluid.
The takeaway of today’s post is that water is essential for daily life and function. I know it can be hard to drink enough water during the day because I am right there with you! But it is the effort that makes the difference. If you drink just one more glass of water during your day, then that is a step in the right direction. If you hate drinking water or hate the taste of water, then add some flavor! You can add fruit like berries, herbs like mint, and lemon juice, or flavor additives like the brand Mio to your water to add some flavor and enhance your fluid intake. You can even drink sparkling water, like La Croux products, to get your daily water intake up.
Practical Ways Towards “Peachy” Living:
Try to drink just one more glass of water during the day. You can fit in a glass of water in the morning, or in the evening before bed.
You can document how much water you consume with a notebook, an app, or you can use a water bottle that keeps track of the water intake.
Try to find interesting ways to flavor your water.
