How to Supplement your Health with Water
Find your right amount, and find out why water is so important to your health here!
Water is the most crucial nutrient to the body. Water makes up about 60% of the total weight of the body. If you’re 200 pounds that’s 120 pounds of water! A 1-2% deficit of your optimal amount can affect blood pressure, mood, your body’s temperature regulation. Did you know once your body actually feels thirsty that you’re already below your optimal level of water?
How much is enough? The general guidance on water intake is based on a calculation of your body weight in pounds, and that number is divided by 2 and multiplied by fluid ounces to achieve a daily total. So an 144 lb person estimated daily quote would be 72oz of water. The best temperature is room temperature up to 180 degrees. If you have a hard time consuming that much, some herbal teas can be concocted. A few helpful herbs you can use include peppermint which is cooling, and ginger and cloves which are warming herbs. Processed foods which are sold as flavoring for water are to be avoided. *Speak to your doctor before you implement a change in water, or if you are prescribed diuretic medications or have kidney disease. *Only consume food grade flavorings.
Why can’t I count coffee and beer in my daily total? I get this question often! You drink other liquids, why can’t you count them within your daily total? Very simply, it’s because many of our favorite beverages, including beer, wine, and coffee, have what is known as a diuretic effect, which means is causes your body to release more water relative to what’s in that beverage. Sorry to bring the bad news, but you actually have to add (ounce for ounce) to your plain water when you’re also consuming coffee or alcoholic beverages.
What Are the Benefits of Drinking More Water? People who start monitoring and supplementing their water intake have observed:
- Skin Improvements, including requiring less skin hydration, improved skin health, reduced dry skin
- Digestive Improvements, such as fewer incidences of constipation, reduced appetite
- Neurological benefits such as less brain fog, less anxiety, better mood, more alert, better temperature regulation
- Improved Kidney health indications like lighter color urine
- Cardiovascular benefits such as fewer heart palpitations and better blood pressure consistency
- Reduced lower back pain and reduced need for pain medication.
Want to see the research behind these recommendations?
- Association Between Water Intake and Kidney Function
- NIH: Hydrating for Health
- CDC About Water and Healthier Drinks
- Connecting with the Thoms: How to Drink More Water Every Day and Why You Should
- Hydration 101 from the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy
- NCBI on Slowing Chronic Kidney Disease and Water Consumption