If I asked you what you would pay for a zero calorie supplement that gave you energy, glowing skin, weight loss, was anti- ageing, flushed your body of toxins, reduced joint pain, lessen headaches, boosted immunity, improved focus and kept you regular. If we packaged this product for you and placed in on the retail shelves we assume you would invest a large sum.
But what if we told you that the supplement was in fact essential and absolutely free.
In an age where health products are introduced from far flung corners of the world and complex systems of eating are introduced at every turn we can miss the simple solutions to a healthy body and mind.
Yes we are talking about water and whether you opt for standard tap, clean filtered or mineral it holds the power to feeling and looking great.
The NHS website recommends approx. 8 glasses of water per day for Women and 10 glasses per day for men. As with any recommendation I would take this as a guide and exercise your own judgement based on how you feel during the day. I have learnt to drink roughly 2.5 litres of water a day and if I go without water for a couple of hours start to feel foggy with dry, burning eyes.
Tip: Drink a glass of water as soon as you get up, it sets your hydration for the day and continue to sip water at regular intervals. The benefit will be immense in terms of how you feel and how you look.
The benefits of drinking more water
Improve your concentration – Drinking water throughout the day helps us to maintain concentration and focus, preventing the brain fog associated with dehydration. Memory, fine motor neurone function and attention span increase. If you need to study or focus drinking adequate amounts of water is vital.
Feel less tired – Don’t we all need more energy! Water is a natural body boost that can stave off the mid-afternoon slump. Sipping water throughout the day can maintain your energy levels, keep you from falling asleep at your desk and even give you enough oomph for some exercise.
Get glowing skin – We all spend money on anti -ageing creams when water is the best wrinkle buster around. Staying hydrated gives glowing skin, with better tone and moisturisation.
Lose weight – Drinking water before every meal is a proven strategy for weight loss. It aids the breakdown of fat cells and speeds up metabolism. Make it a habit to drink a glass of water instead of reaching for the chocolate biccies in the afternoon and feel the difference.
Ease your joints – Water lubricates the joints by keeping the cartilage hydrated. Suffer from creaky knees or back pain? Drink more water and see if it lessens.
Prevents constipation – If you are having trouble going to the loo the quick and simple solution could be to up your water intake. The effect of constipation can be a literal pain with bloating, abdominal cramps and diminished skin condition. All enough to put you in a bad mood.
Mood boost – Even mild dehydration has been proven to have a negative impact on mood. Feeling fresh and alert does wonders for your mood even if you didn’t consider you needed a boost.
Makes your body very efficient – Water increases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from your food. Become a well-oiled machine and function at maximum efficiency!
Prevent Headaches – If you suffer from regular headaches drinking more water could be the answer. Don’t forget that the recommended guidelines are just that, a guide. If I drink 8 glasses of water a day the chances of a headache are still quite high so I raise my aqua intake somewhat.
You can also notch up your water score through food. Below are a list of high water content, nutritious foods that will help the daily tally.
- Grapefruit
- Cucumber
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Celery
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
- Green Peppers
- Cauliflower
- Watermelon
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Broccoli
