13 Jun Life Cannot Exist Without Water

Life cannot exist without water. The human body can last weeks without food but only days without water. A vital nutrient essential for digestion, nutrient absorption and chemical reactions.

So why are people neglecting such an essential nutrient that is so readily available?!

Lack of time, too busy, don’t like the taste, forget, not thirsty are some of the most common excuses for not drinking the recommended daily intake. For women this is 2.1 litres per day and men is 2.6 litres. A higher intake should be adopted by people on high protein or high fibre diets, physically active people and people in hot/warm conditions.

Recognise this, mid-morning headache or daytime fatigue, feeling bloated, this could all be cured by keeping correctly hydrated. Water is key to air circulation round the body, when we are hydrated the levels of oxygen in the blood is greater. Water is needed for the fat breaking down process, more oxygen available the more fat it will burn for energy.

Always hungry, I can relate to this, however sometimes we confuse thirst with hunger. Water naturally suppresses the appetite. Some drinks know as diuretics steal water from the body these include soft drinks, alcohol, caffeinated tea and coffee, so limit these where possible.

So I have some top tips to increase your water intake;

I don’t like the taste of plain water.
Add a squeeze/slice of lemon/lime or other fruits to add variety.

Don’t have time/too busy
Keep a bottle/glass handy at your desk or in your bag.

Forget to drink/don’t feel thirsty
– Label small bottles (500-750ml) 1-4, think 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm and aim to drink each bottle on or before these times.
– Buy a large bottle/container and mark on lines/times/goals.
– Set alarms, don’t have to sip all day, just drink decent about when alarm goes.
– Aim to drink a litre during a workout.

So get guzzling water to feel, look and perform better, show your body some love!

– STEPHANIE DAVIDSON