Drinking...........

................and not of the alcoholic variety! Not that there's anything wrong with a little tipple every now and again, but today's blog is all about keeping hydrated, and alcohol doesn't really figure here!

Water is key to our existence, we all know that..but how many of us make it top priority?! It's usually only when we suddenly feel really thirsty that we realise we haven't had a drink for a while! And by then mild dehydration has already begun.

An interesting fact - our body's are comprised of between 50-75% water, depending on a person's age and gender. It also performs crucial roles such as carrying nutrients and waste products between our major organs, helping regulate body temperature, lubricating our moving parts and acting as a shock absorber.

It's recommended we drink 6-8 glasses of clear, fresh water EVERY day to help us function optimally -something I'm trying to drill into my children. This doesn't include tea, coffee,fruit juice,Red Bull, Sports drinks or alcohol - all of which are diuretics, and can do more harm than good!
I find the best way is to keep a large bottle with you at all times and drink regularly and not just when you're thirsty!

If you find yourself suffering from tiredness, lack of energy, irritability, reduced concentration, headaches,muscle tiredness, dark yellow or brown urine, and confusion it could boil down to a simple lack of ..water. And how easy is that to correct?

Conditions such as constipation, urinary tract infections, and gallstones can be prevented by maintaining optimal hydration levels - that's how important it is to get into a regular habit with it.

And please think twice before drinking so called 'sports drinks' to rehydrate you. In general, they're full of synthetic, chemical based substances including sweeteners and are so not necessary as part of a healthy diet, no matter how much sport you partake in.

A better option is coconut water which allows rehydration naturally.It has naturally occurring electrolytes that rehydrate you fast - also contains vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, calcium, and magnesium - and tastes amazing! It's also low in calories - and is ISOTONIC (like so many sports drinks advertise) meaning it has the same PH as human blood, so rehydrates faster than water.

My favourite is COCOFINA, which is sold in cans. Try it, it's a great taste - it tastes like it's doing you good. Can anyone honestly say the same for blue Powerade?!?!

Coconut water can also be used as a convelescing drink or after over-indulging.

By the way, herbal and fruit teas count towards your 6-8 glasses a day.

Try the urine test tomorrow to see if you need to drink more!
RX