Summer is here and the heat can take its toll on us even if we spend only a short amount of time in the sun. It is a good time to look at our water intake and make sure it is enough to keep us well. This Texas heat can be very dangerous if we are not careful. Drinking enough water for your body is one of the most important things you can do for your health and well-being.

Why do I need to drink water?
That is a good question with an even better answer. Water will boost your metabolism, curb your appetite, give you tons of energy, keep your elimination systems working properly to prevent constipation, help prevent bladder and kidney infections, clean out your lymphatic system, make your skin glow with health, wash out liquefied fat, keep your liver functioning properly, keep you focused and alert, lubricate your joints, regulate body temperature, carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells, help dissolve nutrients and minerals to make them more easily utilized by the body, protect all organs and tissue, and help to keep the eyes, mouth, and nose moist.

That is a pretty impressive list and has me convinced to go get a glass of this sparkling wonder right now. It may sound impossible that plain ‘ole water does all this, but keep in mind that your body is mostly water. Your muscles are 75% water, your blood is 82% water, your lungs are 90% water, your brain is 76% water, and your bones are 25% water. You are losing fluid every minute of every day, even while you sit reading this newsletter. Lose more than you take in and your body is in trouble and will start to make you feel awful as it pleads with you to get hydrated.

So, how much water do you need?
There are many methods of determining this, but I like to take my weight, divide it by two, take the number I get and drink that many ounces of water every day. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds your body needs 100 ounces of water a day. I have found this method rather dependable as it is based on your own size. You can personalize your need even more by considering your activity level, how hot it is, and whether or not you have a special need like if you are a nursing mother or maybe have an illness where your body requires more water than usual.

Of course, when you exercise it is best to drink water before, during, and after your workout. When working in the sun, water (along with plenty of breaks in the shade) is especially important to help prevent heat stroke. If this figuring and counting ounces to determine proper water intake sounds daunting, try this: Simply drink a glass of water with every meal and a glass in between every meal. Right there, you already have five glasses of water! Easy, right?

Take it a step farther and keep a glass of water by your bed. Drink up when you wake to get your metabolism going before your feet even hit the floor. Drinking when you wake starts your body’s natural cleansing process and is a great way to start your day. That counts for another glass, so now you’re up to six a day. Drink another after supper, now that’s seven glasses. I bet you will add another during the day without even thinking about it and you have already had eight glasses of water in one day.

How much money would you pay for good health, less illness, less pain, fewer headaches, a smaller waistline, more energy, and mental clarity? I know I would pay a lot. However, reach for water any time you think you would like something cool to drink or when you are thirsty and you will be well on your way to a healthy body for next to free. Water. What a wonderful, God-given basic for good health. Cheers!

Water and weight loss
I mentioned the liver. Without enough water, your body will hang on to fat because the liver cannot process fat without water. Even if you exercise every day, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to lose weight unless you drink enough water. Water is a very important part of maintaining a healthy weight. It literally flushes liquefied fat from your body and boosts your metabolism. Drink your water every day as part of a healthy diet and add in exercise. You will be amazed at the results.

Other beverages.
Sometimes we want something other than water. Quite often I reach for iced tea sweetened with Stevia**. However, we need to be careful with anything caffeinated. Despite containing water, drinks containing caffeine actually dehydrate you. They will suck the water from everywhere in your body, delivering it to your intestines and then out of you, leaving your body in desperate need of hydration. Your body will try to retain water at times like this and that can possibly leave you feeling bloated with swollen hands and feet. Add sugar to the mix and you have a double whammy. Decaffeinated tea isn’t much better. Still containing a small amount of caffeine, it is a processed product that has been tampered with and does not contain the purifying power of water. There are some anti-oxidants in tea but these are better obtained from foods you eat.

Coffee drinkers have it even worse. Coffee increases dramatically the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) your body produces for an extended amount of time. Though cortisol is good when you need it, too much is toxic. On top of it all, caffeine can be addictive and many doctors will even tell you it is like a drug — and a bad one, at that. Our bodies have no use for it and it harms our ability to absorb vitamins and minerals. Because of that, I am sure to up my daily intake of the clear stuff when I have drinks other than water. If I can muster the will power, I will drink the extra water before my other beverage of choice, often leaving me too full to want any other beverage.

Especially beware of chemical-filled powders at the grocery store advertised to make your water taste better. Your body isn’t made in a laboratory and doesn’t know what to do with these chemical concoctions. You will be clogging up what you are trying to clean out.
I like a little flavor now and again, so I will sometimes add lemon juice to my water. Lemon is wonderful for you. It’s loaded with vitamin C and electrolytes and balances the Ph of the body without decreasing the effectiveness of water. Lemon with your water will have you looking and feeling better than ever.

And last but not least remember that with proper water intake, you also need proper salt intake. Salt your food with Real Salt (available at Whole Foods in the bulk bins) or sea salt (available at most grocery stores) to avoid the health risks involved with too much table salt.

**Stevia is an herb that is super sweet and actually very good for you. My favorite brand is “Sweet-leaf” being that it is always pure and free from additives. Available in powder or liquid concentrate from Whole Foods market or online at Amazon.com. Packets can also be found at HEB. Liquid is the most economical choice.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you think you need a doctor go to a doctor. Do not hesitate if you feel the need. I feel you can and should continue your natural regimen if possible but I am not recommending the avoidance of doctors. Anything written in this newsletter is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor.These statements have not been read or approved by Beeyoutiful.com.