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During the course of each day, we make a handful of decisions on what to drink. With the plethora of choices available, drinking water may seem boring and unappetizing, but water is the most important nutrient for your body.
Water makes up more than half your body weight and 90% of your blood. Every single function in your body needs water to operate properly. That’s why you can survive weeks without food, but only a few days without water. Water helps maintain your temperature, digest fats and assist in digestion. It’s a natural lubricant and cleanser and an excellent way to control hunger and lose weight.
Soda, on the other hand, is the antithesis of water in terms of health benefits. Sugar in soda will definitely pack on the pounds, and diet soda has been known to actually increase your appetite. All soda depletes calcium from your bones.
You can get water from fruits and vegetables and other drinks such as herbal teas, fruit juices and sports drinks, however, many of these drinks have added sugar and salt you don’t need. It’s always best to go for the real thing and not to wait until you’re thirsty to drink. By that time you’re already dehydrated.
If you want to save hundreds of dollars a year, buy a water filter for your home tap water and avoid the cost of bottled water. If you prefer to buy bottled water, make sure it’s from a natural spring. For those of you who truly don’t like the taste of water, squeeze a lime or lemon it or add a slice or two of cucumber for a refreshing taste. During meals always drink water—get your flavor from your food. And if you do want to have a glass a wine, couple it with a glass of water on the side because alcohol is a dehydrator.
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