Drink Water & Stay Healthy!

I always keep telling you that drinking water is one of the most important eating habits. So simple, and yet so difficult to introduce into everyday life. Water is the healthiest “drink” for our body. I am aware that drinking water can be problematic, especially at the beginning of the process but it is worth it. That’s why I want to bring beverages to the fore in this week of our #SmallSteps#BigChange challenge. I will try to show you that water is the best choice! ?

 

The effects of water deficiency

Water deficiency in the body may be the cause of increased susceptibility to the development of viruses and pathogens. It is definitely worth drinking it to remove toxins from your body with your urine. In addition, water, as a carrier and solvent for nutrients, has many important functions in the body, such as: 

• it increases the immunity to infections and viruses, thanks to the content of minerals and allowing the dissolution of water-soluble vitamins
• it is responsible for moisturizing the mucous membranes
• if we don’t drink enough water, we become more susceptible to illness, because inadequately moistened mucous membranes are less resistant to pathogenic microorganisms. 

 

Mineral water vs spring water

An important issue worth explaining here is the difference between mineral and spring water. Natural mineral water is underground water, initially clean in chemical and microbiological terms, characterized by stable mineral composition and properties of physiological significance, with beneficial effects on human health. Natural mineral water is considered a mineral regardless of the degree of mineralization.

Spring water is groundwater that is initially clean in chemical and microbiological terms, and does not differ in properties and mineral composition from water intended for human consumption as defined in the provisions on collective water supply. 

It might be interesting for you to know that the European Union only maintains a register of mineral waters, but does not maintain a register of spring waters. Natural mineral waters and natural spring waters from one source may have only one trade name. However, this name cannot be used for waters from another intake.

 

Water or other drinks – what to choose?

Of course, drinking water does not exclude the consumption of other types of liquids, such as herbal teas, freshly squeezed juice or smoothies. However, remember to treat water as your main source of hydration.

There are many benefits of drinking water. First of all, it does not contain kcal so it is the best choice for people who want to reduce their body weight. Athletes also have water during and after their training. If you want to lose weight, developing the habit of drinking water should be a priority for you.The feeling of thirst can sometimes be confused with hunger, which makes us crave for more food than we actually need.

 

How much water should you drink throughout the day?

An adult person should consume about 30ml of water per every kg of their body, which gives an average of about 3 liters of water, or 12 glasses a day. Thus, knowing your body weight, you can estimate your own water requirement using the formula above.

Of course, the exact amount of water you should have is largely an individual matter. If you do intense workouts, you may need more fluids. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the prevailing weather conditions. In summer, especially in hot weather, we need to increase the amount of water we drink to replenish the fluids we lose through excessive sweating.

Remember that the best hydration strategy is to drink small amounts of water regularly throughout the day. If you have a problem with this initially, it is a good idea to keep a glass of water and a jug within reach. This makes it easier to get into the habit of sipping water regularly throughout the day. When you leave the house, remember to take a water bottle with you.

 

 

I know from my own experience that some people find it difficult to cut out sweetened drinks and replace them with water because of the taste. In such cases, I recommend that you try adding lemon juice, orange juice, mint or basil leaves, a few slices of fresh cucumber or ginger to the water. Try different combinations and choose the one that suits you best. If you’ve always drunk little fluids, it’s best to gradually start getting your body used to drinking more and more. During the first few days you may notice that you need to visit the restroom more often, but this is perfectly normal.

Also, do not forget to teach your children the habit of drinking water. Thanks to this simple solution you can take care of their health, and they will always be grateful to you for that. The youngest ones often ask for a drink only when they feel thirsty, and while having fun they can completely forget about the need to drink, which is why developing this habit from an early age is so important.

 

Stay hydrated. I also encourage you to use the hydration function in my app (which you can find HERE). It helps you monitor the amount of fluids you drink during the day. I hope that drinking water is or will soon become another healthy habit for you! ?