As far as drinks are concerned, water is the number one drink of choice for healthy people. God knew what he was doing when he created a drink that comprises more than any other element of a person’s biological make-up.
Water is definitely the most important nutrient for good health. The human body consists primarily of water, about 66% of your weight is water, your muscles are 75% water and your blood is 82% water.
The fact is that most people in America are seriously under-hydrated. We don’t realize that water is a part of our energy production system. Many times a lack of energy is a sign of dehydration. Water actually helps to maintain proper muscle tone and strength. It also helps rid the body of waste and other toxins which can make us physically sick.
How much water should we drink? A minimum of one-half of our body weight in ounces each day will give our cellular machinery proper energy production. That means if you weigh 140 pounds, you should be drinking a minimum of 70 ounces of water daily.
Here are a few ways to make sure you get enough water:
- Take a bottle of water along with you, wherever you go—in the car, at work, or while exercising.
- Place a glass of water on your desk instead of coffee or soda.
- A glass of water with each meal and another mid morning and mid afternoon will to the trick.
- Keep a Brita filtered pitcher of water in the refrigerator. When reaching for a cold drink, pour yourself a glass of water.
- Make water an interesting and attractive drink. Add flavor with a slice of lemon, lime, or orange.
Can something simple like drinking water be a powerful tool for losing weight? The answer is a resounding yes. Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Oddly enough, drinking water is the best way to get rid of fluid retention in our bodies.
According to a German study reported in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, a team of researchers led by Michael Boschmann, MD, reported that participant’s metabolism increased within 10 minutes and lasted for about 30 minutes after drinking water. The findings showed that for every 16 ounces ingested their metabolism rose 25 calories. If we were to follow most experts’ advice and drink the recommended 64 ounces or more daily, this would raise our metabolism by at least 100 calories daily.
A very unpopular fact is that soft drinks are not recommended on a regular basis. Moderation is one thing, as in rewarding yourself with a Coke on occasion, but regular soft drink consumption is not healthy. Try to avoid beverages that have caffeine, which acts as a diuretic, depleting precious water from your body.
Soft drinks make the average person retain considerable water weight. Many people who simply replace soft drinks with water lose 5-10 pounds in a matter of a few weeks. Over time the body will adjust after getting soft drinks out of our system, and will actually begin to crave water.
The truth is, God created water, (Adam’s Ale) as our number one drink, and has made us dependent upon it for maintaining proper weight and good health. Start hydrating yourself to health and strength right away.
FIT FOREVER Tom Hopkins 