January 2012 - Water, Water, Everywhere - should you drink 8 glasses of water per day
The facts:
Water makes up 60%-70% of the body’s fluids but what does it do?
- Regulates body temperature
- Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells
- Lubricates joints
- Flushes waste products from the kidneys and liver
- Dissolves minerals
- Prevents constipation
- Protects organs and tissues
- Moistens tissues
You lose, on average 1.5 litres of water per day of water through breathing, perspiration, urine and bowel movements so, just like a car using petrol, you need to replenish the supply by re-filling!! Failing to do this results in becoming dehydrated which has symptoms such as headaches, tiredness and loss of concentration. Extreme dehydration causes problems such as constipation and kidney stones.
Imagine the difference between a grape and a raisin. A grape is fully hydrated and the fluid moves about. A raisin is a dehydrated grape and the skin is stuck together and fluid does not flow around. This is very similar to the cells in your body. When you get dehydrated your cells get ‘stickier’ and the body’s efficiency drops.
Is it really 8 glasses of water per day? Does tea and coffee count?
Fluid can be obtained from drinks such as plain water, other beverages such as tea, coffee and squash, solid foods especially fruit and vegetables, a by-product of chemical reactions in the body.
We are all different so there is no one size fits all but as a guide I would suggest drinking 6-8 medium glasses of fluid daily but listen to your body (if you are drinking something other than water, watch the sugar and caffeine effects!). In hot weather or if you are exercising you will need more water as your body will lose more.
What’s the test for knowing if you’re dehydrated?
Look at the colour of your urine. The darker the colour, the more you need to drink.
Tips
Drink before you get thirsty! Carry some water in your bag. You feel thirsty when you are already dehydrated.
Water, water everywhere
Spring water, mineral water, tap water – which to choose and what are they exactly?
Spring water is collected directly from the spring where it rises from the ground, and must be bottled at the source.
Mineral water emerges from under the ground, then flows over rocks before it’s collected, resulting in a higher content of various minerals. Unlike spring water, it can’t be treated except to remove grit and dirt.
Drinking water from UK taps is as clean as it can be and will rehydrate your body. It does contain other impurities that can’t always be extracted. For more information, please email me.
Recommendation: Are you running your feet ragged? Footworks Chiropody based at Burlington Court 18 Lower Temple St, Birmingham, B2 4JD offer a variety of fantastic treatments including Biomechanics, Wilde Pedique treatments for fungal nail infections as well as pedicures and general footcare. Their blog for this month is about training shoes and what to buy. It may shock you to know that when you walk, the pressure on your feet could exceed your body weight and when you run, it can exceed it by three or four times! Drop them a line to be added to their newsletter list - we love what they do! Click here to drop them a line!
New start, new you
How many of you have been chatting with friends and family over Christmas about getting fit in the New Year. How about “referring a friend” and in return, we’ll give you a free half hour massage or your next appointment for free! Your referred lady/gent will received a free 1 hour consultation too!
