Why should we drink more water?
Because the solution to pollution is dilution.
If you struggle with toxicity, sluggishness and fatigue, water is one of the best “medicines.” Our toxicity levels can go down when we are well hydrated.
And yet, over 80% of people that I test in the office are dehydrated.
Why is that? And what does it do to us? Finally, what can we do to drink more water … without more effort? Keep reading!
Three Reasons We Don’t Drink Enough Water
Some people think they are drinking a lot of water. But when I ask them to record how much they consume in a day, they discover they are great about carrying it around with them, but not so good at getting it into their body!
Others confess that water is not on their radar screen, and they know that they consume very little. They don’t carry a water bottle or even think about getting a glass of water, especially while they are working.
Finally, there are those who will actually admit they don’t like it, and would rather not drink anything at all than consume a glass of water. They say water is boring or tastes bad or that it makes their tummy hurt.
Keep reading to find out how to solve all of these problems!
Why Is It So Important?
As humans, we are part of a planet which is over 2/3 water. We ourselves are up to 60% water including our brain which is 73% water! When we are dehydrated by only 1% (that’s just a couple pounds!), our brain, lungs and entire body begins to function less efficiently.
We think that thirst is the biggest symptom of dehydration, but there are many problems we don’t attribute to dehydration including:
- fatigue
- headaches
- muscle spasms/cramps
- irritability
Alcohol and caffeine in the form of coffee, tea and soda also contribute to dehydration.
Sleepy on a long drive? Check your hydration. Sure, it might delay your arrival a bit because of an extra pit stop or two, but this not only keeps you more alert (and safer!), but it also gets you moving to keep your body from getting stiff or even developing blood clots.
Worried about having to pee a lot more? It’s true that whenever you consume liquids, some of it will eventually need to be eliminated from your body. Water is stored in your muscles and so the big question is how much is actually getting into your cells.
Want to “magically” lower your body fat? Stay hydrated! It increases your muscle mass, which means your body fat percentage goes down.
Home scales that measure total body water can give you a general idea of how hydrated you are. Or, if you want a very accurate baseline, I’ve invested in a very expensive, highly calibrated machine. Make an appointment to see how well hydrated you are.
How to Drink More Water
“Flavored” waters have been marketed as a way to encourage people to become better hydrated. Yes, they can … BUT buyers beware!
Don’t make a purchase until you read the label. Many of these products are loaded with calories or chemicals that will add to an already toxic body.
High fructose corn syrup, crystalline fructose, and sugar are common sweeteners which will add unwanted calories. Artificial sweeteners are another common ingredient. This in itself adds to your total toxic burden.
“Sports drinks” are the worst! They usually have a lot of calories because they were designed to be used by the “Lance Armstrongs” of the world; people who are doing extreme physical activity and are sweating profusely for a long period of time.
If you read the serving size of these popular beverages, there can be 2 to 4 servings per container. How many times do we drink the whole thing without a second thought? Another of my pet peeves is that manufacturers use dyes made from coal to make the product look hip and pretty. (Trust me, your liver isn’t happy about this!)
Who wants to drink fluorescent lime green coal water? Well, billions of marketing dollars have been spent to make sure your kids do.
So make each sip count!
Commit to transition off of things that make your body work harder and switch to something that is tasty and good for you.
Jazz up your water with:
- a splash of lemon or lime
- crushed fresh mint
- sliced oranges, grapefruit or muddled raspberries
- rosemary, spearmint, ginger, cinnamon, or even nutmeg
Finally, if you find that water makes your tummy hurt or water seems to slosh around, then you want to focus on sipping throughout the day, not chugging down all your water in one session. This is also why I don’t encourage a lot of liquid-drinking while you’re eating. If your stomach acid is diluted, you can’t digest your food thoroughly.
Finally, find a trigger to remind you to drink. Take a sip during a commercial. Have some at a stoplight. Take a drink after you go to the bathroom or wash your hands.
Whatever it takes, find a way to drink more water to reduce toxicity, fatigue and sluggishness.
Wondering how hydrated you are? Call my office and set an appointment to see where you are and how I can help you reduce your toxic burden.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and has been compiled from years of practice, study and experience by Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC. This information is NOT intended to be used as a substitute for the advice from your physician or any other health care provider, or any information contained in or on any product label or packaging. Do not use information in this article for diagnosing or treating any health problem or disease. Always speak to your health care provider before taking any nutritional, herbal, or homeopathic supplement. If you have or suspect that you have a health problem including COVID-19, contact your health care provider immediately. Do not ignore seeking health care advice or delay seeking care because of something that you have read in this article. Information provided in this article or on this website DOES NOT create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Mikell Suzanne Parsons, DC. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.