Water, a Nutrient!

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Yes, water is a nutrient just like carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. And if I were to list the top 5 healthy things we could do for ourselves, drinking more water would make the list! While most of us know that water is important, I have found that too many of us acknowledge that we need to drink more. But like all the other healthy habits, drinking more water takes practice, and summer is a great time to start.



Aside from being a vital nutrient, some studies have found that those of us who drink more water, may also eat less. One study found that water drinkers ate almost 200 calories a day less than non- water drinkers. 200 calories doesn't sound like much? Well, over the course of just one year, if we saved 200 calories per day without doing anything else differently, it could amount to a 20- pound weight loss! The study also found that water consumers drank fewer soft drinks (we know this can save calories), and in general followed healthier eating patterns. I'd like to suggest that we increase our water intake by sipping it in-between our summer drinks. This may not only slow down our alcohol intake, but we may feel better the next day too. Okay, aside from saving calories, water is so vital to our body that we can go longer without food than without water.



Do we need more convincing?



Water in our blood forms the plasma that carries all vital nutrients to every cell in our body and it also carries the toxins and wastes for excretion.



Water in our urine and feces carry these waste products out of our body. One major reason for constipation is dehydration.



Water in our sweat releases heat through our skin, helping to maintain internal body temperature.



Water plays a role in the transmission of our nervous system’s electrical impulses.



Water helps to dissolve and digest nutrients.



Water is involved in the production and release of energy in our body.



Water in fluids surrounds our joints providing lubrication and mobility.



Now that we can see how important water is to our body, here are a few more practical things to consider



Lack of water is a common cause of physical fatigue especially during exercise.



Every time we drink alcohol we to increase our water need.



Shivering raises our metabolic needs, and water is needed to store the fuel that supplies the energy to shiver (we do shiver in air conditioning)!



Drinking more water after a high fat meal can help decrease the blood’s viscosity (thickness) up to several hours after the meal (anyone read the study about a higher incidence of heart attacks after a high fat meal?).



So, now that we know that water is one of the most important nutrients in our body, and our body uses it for every biological function, how about we start practicing drinking more little by little now. I keep a small water bottle with me at all times which seems to help, even when I’m at home. Who knows if we all try, it might become a habit.



Bottoms up!



June M. Lay M.S.



June Fit







Want to recommend my weekly tips to friends, relatives or anyone interested in improving their health & fitness? Click here or email me at June@Junefit.com.



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Water, a Nutrient!