The importance of Hydration
In the Nutritional Therapy Association we are taught that hydration is one of the foundations of health and for good reason. Did you know that the brain and the heart are composed of 73% water? No wonder a 2% drop in our water intake can result in delayed cognitive function, decreased energy, headaches, difficulty focusing and more.
Being properly hydrated has many benefits such as improved focus, aides in digestion, improves muscle growth, flushes bacteria from the body, cushions joints, helps stabilize heartbeat and blood pressure, protects organs and tissues, prevents constipation, carries nutrients and oxygen to cells, maintains electrolyte balance, along with many other necessary things.
The recommended amount of water a person should have a day depends on many factors such as gender, age, activity level, etc. so find the amount that is bio individual for you. Unfortunately, not all water is created equal. If you are drinking tap water you should almost double your consumption due to the amount of impurities that you are having to flush out, such as chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, industrial contaminants and so on. But don’t take my word for it. Go to www.ewg.org/tapwater, enter your zip code, hit view utility and read the results of YOUR tap water while your jaw is on the floor. Personally, my tap water has 8 contaminants that exceed the EWG health guidelines, including ARSENIC! Just plain crazy.
Because of these results I highly recommend a water filter, a good one, and no your refrigerator filter won’t cut it. The best water filter for you will depend on the contaminants found in your water and what you need to filter out. I also recommend adding a pinch of Redmond’s sea salt or lemon juice to your cup to add electrolytes back into your water so you can truly absorb the water instead of it running right through you. It’s also best to drink room temperature water as cold water can slow down the digestive process.
Take Away:
Water is the most crucial nutrient, proper intake and absorption are vital
Not all water is good water, filter your tap or purchase spring or mineral water when needed
Detox water recipe: 2 liters of clean water, 1 cucumber, 1 lemon, 2 1-inch slices of ginger
Happy Clean Drinking!
