Water is essential. Making a conscious effort to keep you hydrated, will only have positive effects on your health helping you lose weight and feel better.
Water makes up on average around 60 percent of your overall body weight. All the organs within your body rely on water to function properly. A well hydrated body allows these functions to occur more quickly and efficiently. All chemical processes involve energy metabolism and the right amount of water will make us feel more energetic and boost our metabolic rate.
Water is also an important part of losing weight. Some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If you are dehydrated the thirst mechanism can often be mistaken for hunger, causing an individual to eat when they are actually craving fluid. This causes an increase in calorie consumption, which makes one have to exercise more to lose weight. Water helps to prevent overeating and can make your body burn calories 3% faster. Water-rich foods are more filling and help to trim down calorie intake. Have a large glass of water with every snack or meal and you will soon start to feel the weight loss benefits of being perfectly hydrated.
Water also promotes a healthy lifestyle. Muscle fatigue results from an imbalance of fluids and electrolytes shrivelling. Water is needed for muscles to work and perform better whilst hydrating electrolytes. Before working out, you need to make sure that you are adequately hydrated, as well as during the physical activity. It is recommended to take drink half a litre of water before exercise, preferably bottled water.
Our kidneys work hard to cleanse the body of toxins. Blood urea nitrogen is the main toxin in the body. This is a water-based soluble product which is passed through the kidneys to be excreted in urine. Our urine should be light in colour and odour free, but if we are not getting enough fluids the urine becomes darker and has a distinct smell. This occurs due to extra fluid needed for bodily functions being trapped by the kidneys. In warm climates, if you are consistently dehydrated you may be at a higher risk of developing kidney stones.
You may be wondering what the best ways are to take on this extra intake of water. Many homes are now installing a water cooler or mains fed water cooler. This allows access to ice cold water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can always fill up a plastic bottle from your water cooler and take it on your adventures. This is a cheaper alternative to buying bottled water on the high street.
Installing a water cooler or mains fed water cooler system in your office would also allow you to access the water you vitally need. Encouraging staff to make water their choice of beverage instead of tea, coffee or carbonated drinks will have a positive effect on your business. Water will help staff maintain their concentration for longer, increasing productivity and improving mental well-being.
