A while ago we talked about not drinking calories and showed many reasons why that was a bad idea. But we won’t leave it there. For each of the 4 Horsemen of the Foodocolypse that we try to avoid, we have 4 Joys of Healthy Living to enjoy instead. And Joy #1 is pure, clean water.
Most of us are lucky enough to live in a place where pure, clean drinking water is available. Yet many of us avoid it at all costs! But not only is water a real thirst quencher on a hot day, it’s also key to several valuable things that our body needs.
Hydration
First of all, it hydrates us. This helps transport nutrients and oxygen in our body. It also helps lubricate joints and cushion organs and tissue. It really is a key ingredient in keeping our body running.
Metabolism
Not only is water key for metabolizing food (turning calories into energy), drinking a healthy amount of it helps to speed up our metabolism which helps burn those calories faster. A properly running metabolism is helpful for health, digestion, and proper weight.
Quenching “Hunger”
Many people don’t realize that hunger pains are not hunger at all, but instead thirst! Our bodies have a hard time distinguishing from thirst and hunger and when we feel those pains many times it’s thirst. Eating when we’re really just thirsty only aids in adding pounds. Drinking the right amount of water each day throughout the day helps to avoid this fake hunger response.
Digestion
Water is necessary in proper digestion. Want your body to feel tip top? Top the tank.
So what is the right amount of water? It’s very simple: drink 1 ounce for every two pounds of body weight. If you weigh 120 lbs, drink 60 oz a day. If you weigh 200 lbs, drink 100 oz per day.
Drink up!