Water is the eternal life-force, all living entities thrive on water. The power of drinking water is one of the most important, and easiest, changes a person can make in their health. In fact, if there is just one change you can commit to today, choose drinking more water.
Because every cell in our body needs water, dehydration occurs easily. The effects of dehydration involve numerous body systems, and symptoms can range from mild to life threatening. Getting our bodies into a hydrated state is a simple yet “Profound Healing Tool”.
Are you dehydrated?
Much of the population are chronically dehydrated, which can lead to long-term health conditions. How do you know if you are one of these people? Feeling thirsty is a sign that dehydration has already begun to occur. Other symptoms of dehydration can include headaches, bloating and gas, lower back pain, constipation - and importantly a suppressing of drainage and detoxification.
There are many benefits to staying adequately hydrated. They include:
- Enhanced anti-aging effects on skin
- Improved athletic performance
- Weight management
- Increased energy levels
- Improved digestion
- Improved elimination of toxins.
Unfortunately, water isn’t water, so the “Type of Water” we drink plays a crucial role on our body’s ability to absorb and hydrate at a cellular level.
Our Australian tap water is only monitored for 70 chemicals, whilst there are over 300 known chemicals of concern.
Water, our most essential nutrient, should be pure.
It should be free of contaminants.
It should be free of heavy metals, drugs, pesticides, and industrial pollutants.
Deep down we know we need to drink water on a daily basis for optimum nutrition but how important is choosing the right water?
The following suggestions can help you get started:
Drink lots of pure, filtered water
Water is vital to your gut health as it helps to flush out toxins; however conventional tap water contains fluoride and chlorine; both of which are damaging to micro flora. Clean, filtered water is essential to flush out waste and hydrate.
It is important that your water is filtered with a good system. We use a Genzon Water Filter. This amazing water system was created in Japan and designed by Water Scientists to filter and remove toxins and contaminants including bacteria (including e-coli, giardia, cryptospiridium), chemicals (including 100% chlorine & 90% of fluoride), heavy metals, THM's, sediment & particles (down to 0.1.5 micron). A balanced range of alkaline minerals is then added to the water via deep sea mined mineral stones and sanitised by silver stones, a natural anti-bacterial which prevents the formation of algae in the water.
If you don’t have one, a home water filter system is a great investment in your and your family’s future health.
Add lemon
Lemons are a fantastic detoxifier and have amazing digestive qualities. Drinking lemon juice in water daily is not only a good detoxifier but also alleviates symptoms of indigestion, stomach pain and bloating. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently thus controlling constipation and diarrhoea.
Lemon also helps the body to obtain the energy from the nutrients in food. There are many great reasons why lemons should be included in your daily diet. Lemons are high in nutrients and bioflavonoids and are an excellent source of vitamin B6, iron and potassium, and a very good source of dietary fibre and vitamin C. They also contain calcium, copper, folic acid, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc.
Adding organic lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to your water, especially a glass of warm water first thing, will aid in digestion and break up mucous in the body; freeing up the lymphatic system and boosting your immune response.
Be prepared
Fill up two or three water bottles (non-plastic / toxic free) in the morning and place them in different areas where you spend time. That water will be waiting and ready for you on your office desk or when you walk into the kitchen. Make it a point to take a drink each time you enter that space.
Always keep a filled water bottle in the car. Whether it’s your commute, carpooling, or running errands, this can be an easy way to slip in some extra hydration.
Drink water before each meal. A big glass of water three times a day will chip away at a lot of your water needs, as well as curbing the tendency to overeat due to dehydration.
*Note that drinking water thirty minutes before a meal can help our bodies recognise the difference between feeling thirsty and hungry. The sensations of thirst and hunger are generated simultaneously, and we often mistake thirst for hunger. As we drink more water, we can better discern the difference, and thus eat less when it’s water our body is really asking for.
Drink herbal tea to get your daily water intake
Water can sometimes get a little boring and as the days get colder you might feel like something warmer to drink. Herbal teas are a great form of hydration. Herbal teas feature therapeutic benefits that may help with inflammation, stress, digestion, and headaches. Because herbal teas don’t have any caffeine they can be counted toward your daily water intake. You can purchase a specific detox tea from any supermarket, or just a simple ginger, peppermint or lemon tea will suffice.
Booster tip
You can take it a step further and look to remove chemical toxins from your water supply by getting a chlorine filter for your shower-head and bathtub. Most shower filters that advertise 99% removal of chlorine and fluoride will be sufficient.
