Drink Water for Health & Weight Loss
About 60-70 percent of adult body weight is water. Water helps protect body organs and regulates body temperature. It dissolves solids and carries nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Water plays an important role in converting foods to energy, and eliminating toxins and wastes from the body. Though we can survive for many weeks without food, we can live only a few days without water. Water is essential to life.
Unfortunately most people do not drink nearly enough water to maintain a healthy body. We need at least 64 ounces daily, even more when exercising or on hot days. If that seems like a lot, remember that most drinking glasses hold 12-16 ounces, and many brands of bottled water are packaged in 16-20 ounce bottles.
Drinking a glass of water before meals may make you feel full, and help you to eat less. Sufficient water intake prevents bloating and fatigue. The best way to combat water retention, and the bloating associated with it, is to drink more water. If you are not taking in a sufficient amount of water, your body will hold on to what it has. The more you drink, the more willing your body will be to “let go” of its stored water.
Often thirst is mistaken for hunger. Try drinking a glass of water before reaching for a snack. Also, what some people think are “hunger headaches” may actually be due to lack of water (dehydration).
When dining out, save money and calories by drinking water with your meal. Plan to have fresh drinking water available wherever you go. Avoid chlorine and other contaminants by drinking safe, filtered water. [© 2004 W.I.N., Inc. worldimagenaturals.com]
