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Did you know our bodies are made up of about 60% water? So, while we aren’t quite as liquid-loaded as a watermelon (92% water) or a cucumber (96%), it is an essential piece to our health puzzle. In fact, every cell, organ, and tissue relies on water to carry out its proper function, making water for our body equivalent to gasoline for a car. In other words, if you want it to run smoothly, you better fuel it properly.

If you’re in need of some H2MOtivation to help you step up your water sippin’, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn the surprising & science-supported benefits of drinking more water.

The OG “Cleanse”

In the age of fancy detox diets & juice cleanses, it’s ironic to learn that plain ole’ water is arguably the most effective natural cleansing agent for our body. From aiding in digestion & helping to eliminate waste, to supporting the natural detoxification process carried out by our kidneys, water is pivotal in helping our body efficiently and effectively remove toxins and waste.

If you’re looking to ramp up this natural waste removal process one step further, swap standard tap water for mineral water. While general healthy hydration is imperative for optimal digestion and regular bowel movements, studies show that regularly consuming mineral water significantly improves bowel function & can naturally relieve symptoms of constipation.

So next time you consider putting yourself through a juice cleanse or detox diet, maybe…don’t? Instead, focus on filling your cup with more of mother nature’s finest (& bonus points for mountain-sourced mineral water).

Improves Brain Function

Water comprises 75% of our brain, so it’s no wonder that it plays a huge role in cognition. From mood and memory to focus and concentration, time and time again, proper hydration has been shown to be a huge factor for optimal brain functioning.

Throughout our day, even if we don’t work up a sweat, we experience natural fluid loss by normal processes like breathing, general perspiration, & using the restroom. Studies show that even mild dehydration of 1-3% of body weight can compromise our cognitive function. So if you need to stay sharp, attuned, & focused, make sure you’re drinking enough of the good stuff.

A Crash-Free Energy Booster

We’ve all been there—it’s 3pm & you’re sitting at your desk trying to decide between an overpriced latte or an all-too-convenient diet soda from the office vending machine. The goal? Ride a caffeine-induced wave of artificial energy to help you power through to the end of the work day.

While caffeine may seem like a quick-fix when it comes to combating the late-afternoon crash, it’s ultimately counterproductive in the name of stable & sustained energy. Studies show that dehydration (a side effect of stimulants, such as caffeine) can cause impaired alertness and increased fatigue, tiredness, & confusion. An easy solution? Skip the afternoon soda or double frap and JUST drink some water.

A Wonder for Workouts

We’ve already mentioned how dehydration can impair our energy levels in general, let alone when we need to grind out a workout. When we work up a serious sweat, we can lose up to 6-10% of our water-weight, putting us at risk for dehydration if the fluid loss is not replenished.

Beyond the standard negative health effects of dehydration, exercise-induced fluid loss can lead to impaired body temperature regulation, decreased motivation, heightened feelings of fatigue, & increased perceived difficulty of the workout, both physically & mentally.

When we focus on optimizing our water intake before, during, & after a workout, we can combat the detrimental effects of exercise-induced dehydration, in addition to counteracting oxidative stress that results from intense bouts of exercise.

An Aide for Weight Loss

With all the wacky & wild weight loss tricks, tips, & supplements out there, it may seem hard to believe that simply drinking more water can help you lose weight & support long term weight management—but it’s true! One massive & influential study of more than 18,000 American adults showed that increasing daily water intake by just 1% lead to a reduction in average calories consumed.

Another weight loss advantage linked to water consumption is its positive effect on metabolism. Research has shown that drinking more water could lead to an increase in water-induced thermogenesis by providing a sympathetic stimulus which in turn, raises metabolic rate. In short, if your goal is to slim down, an easy, pseudoscience-free first step is to up your daily intake of water.…

Did you know it’s Sugar Free February and that drinking water can help to lower blood sugar levels by diluting the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood stream. By drinking water lots of water you can reduce your blood sugar as it indirectly will reduce insulin resistance and help reduce hunger. Sugar Free Feb is championed by Cancer Research UK and is linked to a month of fundraising for the charity with its annual high profile sugar-free campaign. Follow the link to get involved, read handy hints and tips, recipes and downloads, helping you to cut out sugar and raise money from this deserved cause. It is proven that going sugar-free does deliver some encouraging benefits in making long-term health changes. Some say going sugar-free is harder to do than Dry January!

How to go sugar-free Unlike the low-fat diet of yesteryear, the sugar-free one is principally low in starchy, easily digestible carbs but packed full of disease-fighting vitamins and flavonoids. With its roots in a Mediterranean style of cooking, a sugar-free way of eating is derived from the habits of people living in the Med and can be applied to a wide range of cuisines from Chinese to Indian to Mexican. For this reason, people find it easier to stick to (unlike the low fat one) because it’s easy and enjoyable – and affordable. Whether you are following a purposeful sugar-free diet to balance blood levels or just cutting out refined sugars as found in cakes, biscuits, fizzy drinks, tomato sauce and fizzy drinks; the wellbeing benefits are numerous. Top tips for less sugar   Just following these key principles for a low carb, Mediterranean-style way of eating for a healthier you!

• Minimise or avoid the white carbs – white bread, white pasta, potato, white rice, and processed cereals.
• Cut down on refined sugar, sugary drinks and desserts, and be careful about your intake of artificial sweeteners, too.
• Eat more veg! Make sure veg makes up half your plate. You can also make veg based smoothies to drink more veg and fluid.
• Have some fruit but just a couple of portions per day. Fruit is high in natural sugars.
• Eat plenty of high quality proteins found in meat, oily fish, eggs, and seafood.
• Enjoy your dairy products and the healthy fats and oils, such as olive oil, yoghurt, nuts, avocados, coconut (but choose the non-sweetened varieties).
• Use vinegar in your cooking! It’s a powerful ingredient linked to weight loss, suppressing appetite and maintaining healthier blood sugar levels.

Drinking more water helps keep you feeling fuller for longer and cuts the need to eat more and snack. Combined with watching your portion sizes and enjoying an increased exercise regime, going sugar free could be life changing!  Why drinking water is important Drinking water will help the body to flush out excess glucose as part of a lifestyle program, especially when a problem with blood sugar has been flagged up, by keeping you feeling fuller and stop you turning to naughty snacks and fizzy drinks. Having fresh filtered drinking water on tap is a great way to remember to keep fluids topped up, and stop you from reaching for a less healthy alternative. A top tip is to remember to increase your water intake to reduce the effect of calorie cutting such as tiredness and headaches. If you feel hungry try drinking a glass of chilled and filtered water or a cup of herbal tea – often hunger feelings are really signs of dehydration! Filtered and chilled water from a plumbed in water cooler or drinking water fountain tastes great and therefore helps you to drink more.Multi-function, 2 in 1 and 4 in 1 instant hot taps give you boiling and chilled, hot and cold filtered water from the one tap. KettleTaps are a convenient way to make all your hot and cold drinks and flush your body. Keep a reusable bottle at your desk and in your bag to keep topped up. Refill and reuse saves on single-use plastic purchases and helps the environment. Install plumbed in drinking water stations for your team and refill reusable bottles to save plastic pollution.…

The benefits of drinking water are many. From helping you to improve your physical performance to improving your energy levels and relieving common illnesses like constipation, headaches and more, drinking enough water is essential for your overall physical, emotional and psychological well-being.

One of the other advantages of drinking water is that it helps prevent dehydration. You can read in-depth about it in our recent article on the health benefits of drinking water to prevent dehydration. Thus, to put it simply, drinking enough water ensures that cells and organs within our body are working and functioning optimally at all times.

1. You Lose Weight At A Faster Rate

Drinking water or drinking warm water for weight loss is one of the most recommended methods. As a natural remedy that helps you lose weight, water has zero calories, sugar, or fat as opposed to drinks like sweetened beverages and alcoholic drinks that are full of calories.

When you replace the intake of these sugary and fizzy drinks with water, you are helping boost your metabolism, which, in turn, ensures that you lose weight at a faster rate. Water is also a natural appetite suppressant and various health studies have shown that drinking two glasses of water before meals can help dieters lose more weight.

Drinking water to lose weight is a tried and tested technique. Plus, since dehydration makes you weak, fat, and sick, consuming enough water will help keep this adverse effect at bay.

2. You Flush Out Toxins From Your Body

Drinking too much soda/soft drinks can cause kidney damage. Since kidneys help eliminate toxins and waste from the body, their inability to perform the said function due to high sugar consumption can lead to the accumulation of metabolic waste which can cause a lot of serious health problems.

Water, on the other hand, is a natural lubricant that helps the kidneys to function well. By drinking enough water, your kidneys are able to perform at their maximum helping you flush out toxins from the blood and urine through the bladder, thus helping you keep your body and system clean from the inside out.

3. You Improve Your Muscles Endurance & Flexibility

When it comes to building and maintaining bones, Calcium is one of the important minerals that is required. Consuming large amounts of carbonated drinks (drinks that contain dissolved carbon dioxide) can interfere with calcium absorption, resulting in weak bones and muscles. Thus, in order to prevent this, it is essential that you severely cut back on soft drinks and energy drinks that contain carbonation and replace these with water.

The importance of water in our bodies can’t be overemphasized. Not many may be aware of the fact that Water constituents a large part of our muscle composition. Water helps absorb and retain essential minerals, which, in turn, helps us maintain healthy and strong bones. As such, by keeping yourself well-hydrated, you are able to not only improve your muscle endurance but you are also able to improve your flexibility, which will help you achieve peak performance in all that you do.

4. Your Ability To Focus & Concentrate Gets Sharper

Apart from affecting your physical health, sugary fizzy drinks or carbonated drinks can also hurt your mental health. Over-consumption of these beverages can lead to dehydration and can trigger an imbalance in certain brain chemicals, resulting in issues like depression, poor memory, brain fatigue, and lack of mental clarity.

By switching over to water, you are able to effectively combat the ill effects of these beverages. Also, by ensuring your body is well-hydrated, you are making sure that your brain, which is made up of 80% of water, is able to access the required amount of oxygen that is needed in order for it to function at an optimal level.

Water helps enhance your ability to focus better. It also helps increase concentration and memory power. Additionally, it reduces daytime fatigue and aids in preventing attention deficit disorders in both – children and adults alike.

5. You Boost Your Metabolic Rate

What is Metabolism?

In simple terms, metabolism refers to the rate at which your body is able to convert food into energy.

Drinking large amounts of sweetened, caffeinated, and carbonated drinks leads to dehydration, which increases the risk of metabolic disorders resulting in weight gain, sugar cravings, lethargy, joint and muscle pains, etc.

By replacing these drinks with water, you are able to hydrate your body, thus speeding up your metabolic rate, and leading to faster burning of calories. Plus, water helps regulate and manage blood sugar levels keeping fatigued, lethargy, and sugar cravings at bay which further promotes good health.

6. You Get A Glowing and Healthier Skin Complexion

One of the major benefits of replacing your favorite soft drinks with plain water is bright and radiant skin. Aerated drinks are known to cause damage to skin cells and collagen bonds resulting in premature aging, dullness, dryness, dark spots, wrinkles, and others.

Thus, to nullify the effects of these harmful drinks and to detoxify your body, it is advisable that you drink sufficient water on a daily basis. This helps to flush out toxins and facilitates faster production of blood and muscle cells, providing you with a glowing and healthier skin complexion in a very short span of time.

7. You Lower The Risk Of Many Diseases

It is a proven fact that when you eliminate high-fat and high-sugar foods from your diet it ultimately leads to a healthier life. When you cut down on sugary drinks, which offer you no essential nutrients, vitamins, or minerals, and replace them with water you are able to improve your overall general health.

Water helps improve blood circulation, digestion, and aids in the greater absorption of essential nutrients, thus preventing muscular cramps, headaches, constipation, kidney stones, and other illnesses. In addition, water also helps reduce the risk of obesity in children and it helps decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adults.

8. Water Promotes The Growth Of Healthy Hair

Excessive consumption of alcohol and fizzy drinks can also lead to hair loss. Since carbonated drinks make it difficult to produce essential hormones which are needed for hair growth, it can result in stunted hair that is brittle and flaky. As such, if you want to have healthy hair then moving to water is your best bet.

Water helps to deeply nourish your hair roots. It also helps you to hydrate your scalp. Further, by drinking enough water, you will be able to get rid of dandruff and itchy scalp, thus promoting hair growth and ensuring that you have healthy and gleaming hair.

9. You Are Able To Stimulate Your Digestive System

Carbonated drinks primarily consist of dissolved carbon dioxide that can cause indigestion and flatulence. Similarly, soft drinks or soda are mostly acidic and high consumption of them can lead to pH imbalance leading to a host of serious digestion problems like bloating, stomach ulcers, diarrhea, gas, and stomach pain.

Therefore, to steer clear of these issues and to achieve a healthy and improved digestive system, switching over to drinking water is essential. Adequate intake of water on a day-to-day basis will help prevent stomach disorders and …

Drinking water is one the best things you can do for your body. In its most natural form, water acts as a remedy for many ailments that can affect the body such as dehydration, joint pain, headaches, exhaustion, and poor digestion and circulation—just to name a few.

When other elements are added to water, like sugar, preservatives, and colors, it can lose its luster, lowering its ability to naturally benefit the body. If you are currently drinking water via sugary flavored beverages, your body could be missing out.

By switching to only drinking water in healthy daily recommendations, you’re likely to be amazed at how much better your body can feel. Check out the top five benefits to only drinking water.

Improved Control of Calories

When you fill up on water, it curbs your appetite to eat. How’s that for controlling calorie intake? Not only are you consuming fewer calories from food, but you’re also shedding calories by drinking water instead of high-calorie sodas, and doing a world of good for your digestive system.

Natural Detox for Your System

Why go for a fancy and expensive detoxification solution when drinking water does the trick? In fact, water is known to be one of the best detoxifiers for the body out there. When drinking water in proper amounts, it helps transport healthy nutrients to every cell in the body, flushing out harmful toxin wastes for no build-up while maintaining strong kidneys.

Healthier Hair and Skin

Dehydration can cause your hair to appear dull and lifeless, as well as be a prime spot for dandruff. If you want to get that lustrous glow back into your hair, start drinking water instead of expensive preservative-filled drinks. Drinking water can do the same for your skin, too. Keeping skin hydrated fights dull flakiness that can result from dry skin.

Boosted Metabolism 

Who knew that your kidneys, liver, and water depend on each other for an active metabolism? When you aren’t drinking water in proper amounts, your liver must do the work of your kidneys to release toxins. This causes the liver to ignore its job of metabolizing stored body fat into energy, causing your body’s metabolism rate to slow down. A slower metabolism makes it harder to maintain a healthy weight, wearing down your health. Drinking water throughout the day hydrates the kidneys, allowing your liver to keep metabolism in check.

Better Brain Power

If you’re a fan of memory loss, headaches, and brain fatigue, read no further. Otherwise, ramp up your plan for drinking water throughout the day for better brain functioning. Did you know your brain is made of 85% water? No wonder it needs water to stay strong.…

Over time, many people have changed the way in which they deal with their daily water intake. Adding flavor to water can be done artificially and naturally. Artificially flavored water brings little to no benefits and will have negative effects on the body, while all-natural flavored water can help boost our immune system given its many nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Is Flavored Water Healthy?

Adding fruits such as watermelon, cucumber, lemon, cherries, and oranges and herbs such as basil or mint, to plain water are examples of all-natural flavored water. The benefits of drinking all-natural flavored water may vary depending on ingredients used.

If you are choosing flavored water to replace a high-calorie, sugary beverage, then it may be the healthier choice. Sodas, for example, typically contain many calories due to their high sugar content. But some flavored waters also contain sugar and associated calories, so you must read the product label closely to determine if a particular brand is an effective low-calorie option.

Benefits of flavored water:

• • It can improve your mood because herbs bring a natural feeling of calmness to our senses.
• • It helps speed recovery from workouts by hydrating the muscles after being fatigued.
• • It keeps your organs in good shape and makes you feel more vibrant.
• • It can aid in weight loss through detoxification.

Flavored water recipes:

• • Add tart lime and fragrant basil to water to give it a boost of vitamin C and iron.
• • Combine cinnamon sticks, ground cinnamon, and apples to water. “Skinny spice” cinnamon helps lower blood sugar concentration and improves insulin sensitivity,
• • Infuse orange and vanilla to water. If you don’t have vanilla bean handy, substitute the pod with vanilla extract; both are naturally high in antioxidants.
• • Add strawberries and basil to water to get the benefits of iron from the herb and vitamin C from the berries, which are linked to fighting cancer, keeping wrinkles at bay, and more.
• • Combine slices of watermelon and jalapeños with water. Watermelon is loaded with vitamins A and C, and spicy jalapeños contain capsaicin, which causes the body to release endorphins to create an energizing rush.
• • To flush out fat and toxins, add lemon, ginger, or cucumber to water. These are great flavor boosters which can also aid in weight loss.

Can you drink flavored water while pregnant?

Everybody can add natural flavored water to their diet, even those who are pregnant. Pregnant women are encouraged to drink water, whether plain or naturally-flavored, to stay hydrated and help distribute the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by both the mother and child. Artificial drinks are to be avoided as it will result in the decrease in the production of essential nutrients.

Conclusion

Although water may seem plain, it does wonders and is vital for the body. It flushes out toxins and helps prevent dehydration, among many others. Flavored water is the same as water, but with a twist. Since it is not pasteurized and it does not have preservatives, it is best to consume all-natural flavored water within three days if refrigerated away to make sure you are getting that much-awaited all-natural flavorful drink. Cheers!…

This is what really happens when you drink sugar water

We all have sometime used a mix of sugar and water to gain instant energy, especially during extreme summers. But, the simple drink carries with it many other properties. All you need is a teaspoon of sugar and a glass of water and you are good to go. Here are five nutrition facts about sugar water:

It is a better sports drink

IT IS A BETTER SPORTS DRINK: Most sports drinks pack glucose sources to energise you. Only drinking sugar and water serves the purpose of replenishing your body better. This is also healthier because sometimes unknown substances are used to enhance your post activity high.

Healthy energy drink

HEALTHY ENERGY DRINK: Energy drinks, carbonated drinks, juices and any kind of packaged drink are usually loaded with corn syrup, sucrose and glucose. The concentration of these three is usually high and does not go well in your body. If for energy, you stick to simple sugar and water once a day, it is a much healthier option for you.

Easily digestible

EASILY DIGESTIBLE: As per studies, glucose causes gut discomfort. This means that if you have been lately feeling nauseous or bloated or any mild pain due to glucose consumption, it’s time you switch to the sugar water combination.

Helps you exercise more efficiently

HELPS YOU EXERCISE MORE EFFECIENTLY: Researchers suggest that during exercise, your body is meant to increase your carbohydrate availability. At a time like this, it is better to ingest your body with sucrose rather than glucose. This leads to increased endurance of your body.

Studies suggest

STUDIES SUGGEST: According to a 2015 study published in the American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism, when athletes consumed a sucrose-based drink over a glucose drink, their body performed better. This is because everytime they drank a glucose drink post cycling, they found a mild gut discomfort due to the difference in their liver glycogen levels.

There are many health benefits of drinking water – from keeping your skin resilient to preventing constipation and keeping you hydrated.

We all know that 60 percent of our body is made up of water, and approximately 71 percent of the planet’s surface is covered by water. It is essential to support all forms of life. The many many benefits of drinking water include supporting physical performance, preventing gut-related problems, improved metabolism and more.

Water is devoid of calories. So, it can also help manage your body weight by keeping your cravings under control. When water replaces calorie-loaded drinks like sweet tea or regular soda, one can reap additional health benefits.

What are the health benefits of drinking water?

Hydration is important year-round. Be it in lower or higher temperatures or times with increased humidity, do not forget to drink water. When the body loses essential fluids and electrolytes, it can lead to dehydration, which can further impair kidney function, reduce cognitive abilities, and weaken physical performance. Thus, proper hydration is not only just beneficial but also becomes essential for overall health and well-being.

Here are some important health benefits of drinking water as per the expert:

1. Water consumption leads to optimal hydration

Drinking ample water daily ensures adequate fluid balance in the body to maintain cellular homeostasis.

2. Water improves metabolic regulation

“Hydration supports vital metabolic processes by facilitating nutrient absorption, circulation, and transportation,” says the expert.

3. Water supports digestive system

Drinking enough water aids in the breakdown and absorption of food, preventing constipation and promoting a healthy digestive tract.

3. Water consumption leads to cognitive enhancement

Proper hydration supports brain function, reducing the risk of cognitive impairment and enhancing focus and clarity.

4. Adequate water intake regulated body temperature

“Essential fluids like water assist in maintaining body temperature, particularly vital in tropical climates, through processes like sweating,” says the expert.

5. Water leads to detoxification

Enables the kidneys to filter waste products efficiently, thus aiding in detoxification.

6. Water helps to increase physical performance

“Drinking water regularly helps maintain muscle function and keeps the joints lubricated while reducing the risk of cramps and strains,” says the expert.

7. Water boosts skin health

Water provides skin cells with essential hydration, making skin appear more resilient and less prone to dryness and wrinkles.

8. Water reduces risk of dehydration-related ailments

The expert says, “Hydration lowers the risk of conditions like kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and certain types of headaches”.

9. Water helps in maintenance of electrolyte balance

Having regular water intake prevents the loss of essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and chloride, which are crucial for many physiological processes.

 …

If you don’t already have a sweet water bottle that you love, it might be time to invest. We’ve found some convincing reasons for you to knock back more H₂O.

Water’s the most popular beverage in the U.S., according to data from the Beverage Marketing Corporation. This is an encouraging stat, because as recently as 2016, carbonated soft drinks took the top spot.

Sugary drinks are a huge health hazard, upping the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.Trusted Source

Choosing water over soda, juices, and other sugar-laden “soft drinks” can reduce your risk. Plus, it has a bunch of benefits for your body — even some you might not expect. Take a look.

1. Keeping in balance

Water makes up about 60 percent of your body. Drinking enough H₂O maintains your body’s fluid balance, which helps with nutrient transportation, temperature regulation, digestion, and more.

2. Munch control

Drinking water could also help with weight loss. Studies have found a connection between water consumption and losing a few pounds.Trusted Source The secret reason? Water simply helps people feel full and, as a result, consume fewer calories.Trusted Source

3. Muscle fuel

Sweating at the gym causes your muscles to lose water. And when your muscles don’t have enough water, they get tired. For extra energy or to push through that final set of squats, try simply refilling your water bottle and taking a few slugs.

4. Kidney helper

Your kidneys process about 150 quarts of blood daily, sifting out waste and transporting urine to your bladder. But they need the right amount of water to clear out the stuff your body doesn’t need. Let’s drink to that!

5. Productivity boost

A glass of water may be just what you need to really focus at work. Research has shown that even mild dehydration can have negative effects on attention and memory.Trusted Source

Plus, the more you drink, the more often you’ll need to take bathroom breaks. Those quick walks to the loo will help you stay alert, too.

6. Fatigue buster

Move over, coffee — water can also help fight fatigue. One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is tiredness. Just another reason to go for the big gulp! (Not the 7-11 kind.)

7. Hangover helper

If booze has gotten the best of you, help a hangover with a glass of water to hydrate your body and stop that pounding headache.

8. Keep things flowing

Nobody wants to deal with digestion issues. Research has shown that dehydration contributes to constipation in some people, so drinking more water may help make things, ahem, move smoothly.Trusted Source

9. Sickness fighter

Water may help with decongestion when you’re feeling under the weather. But drinking fluids hasn’t been scientifically proven to beatcolds, so don’t swap this for a trip to the doctor or other cold remedies.

10. Brain washer

A 2013 study found a link between students bringing water into an exam room and better grades, suggesting H₂O promotes clearer thinking.Trusted Source

While it’s unclear whether drinking the water really had anything to do with getting a better score, it doesn’t hurt to try it out!…