The miracle that is Water

If time and effort are hindering your honest attempts to get healthier then look no further than our miracle ingredient this month: Water.  It’s so simple but true, adding just an extra glass or two each day can have incredible positive effects on your overall health including aiding with weight loss and boosting your immune system.

If you automatically assume you’re drinking enough water, without being intentional about how much you drink, then you probably aren’t.  Counting coffee (or tea or juice) as a good water replacement, because it’s made with water, is also a huge mistake! The extra burden we put on or bodies, of processing coffee, tea, juice, and especially fizzy drinks, takes away from some of the amazing benefits you could be seeing if you drank plain water instead.

How can you tell if you are hydrating enough?

If you feel great all the time, have lots of energy, are rarely thirsty, and pee often – very light coloured or clear urine – then you might actually be getting enough water.

If you are tired, have headaches, digestive issues, muscle aches and pains, trouble sleeping, or dull / dry skin, you probably aren’t getting enough.

Water should be the first thing you turn to for health improvement.

The reason

• It lubricates the joint
• It forms saliva and mucus which help us digest our food, keep our nose, eyes, and mouth moist.
• It delivers oxygen throughout the body
• It boosts skin health and beauty avoiding premature wrinkling
• It cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissue
• It regulates body temperature
• The bowel needs water to work properly. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, constipation, and an overly acidic stomach. This increases the risk of heartburn and stomach ulcers.
• Limits loss of memory as you age
• It flushes body waste
• It helps maintain blood pressure
• It makes minerals and nutrients accessible
• It prevents kidney damage
• It boosts performance during exercise

Things you can do to help yourself develop a good water drinking habit –

• Take it with you.
• Set a timer on your phone, for every hour. Drink when it goes off.
• Invest in some sort of filtration system that makes your water taste better – and removes chemicals.

If you can’t stand the taste of plain water, then try some of our water infused ideas:

For all of these recipes:

• Use a large jar or pitcher.
• Pack it with sliced fruits.
• Add herbs or spices.
• For every two cups of water use 2 cups of ice
• Place it in the fridge for at least two hours or overnight.  This allows the goodness of the ingredients to be transferred to the water.

Blueberry & Lime (or lemon)

Lemon & Cucumber

Raspberry, Kiwi & Lemon

You can also try these combos:

• Pineapple & mint
• Watermelon & rosemary
• Blackberry (or other berries) & sage
• Citrus, basil & mint
• Peach, lemon & pineapple

Ginger

To add the tang (and benefits) of ginger to just about any combo, replace one cup of water with one cup of pre-brewed ginger tea. Make it using about half a dozen slices of ginger steeped in hot water and allowed to cool before use

• Improves digestion
• Reduces bloating
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-diabetic
• Anti-cancer

You can also experiment with a variety of herbs, including sage, thyme, and lemon balm.

Almost any fresh, seasonal fruit can add to your vitamin water combos. Eating the fruit is great if you want a bit of fiber to reduce your appetite. You’ll also get the last of the goodness out of the fruit. 

Once you’ve tried a few of these easy recipes, you’re ready to get creative. Vary the proportions of ingredients to suit your taste, and try new combos. The possibilities are endless!