Think of a drink that wakes you up in the morning and helps protect your tissues, spinal cord, and joints. Which drink are you thinking of? Is it coffee? Tea? A smoothie? Most of us think so.
Reframe for a moment, though, and consider the champion of all hydrators. Think about that wonderful substance we call “water.”
The right choice
Water is generally a whole lot less expensive and much more accessible than any other drink—yet it is often the liquid we drink least. Why is that?
A 2011 study, published in the Journal Of Nutrition, discovered that even mild dehydration can impact your mood and performance. The first thing one should pick up in the morning is not the coffee pot, but the water bottle. Your body will thank you for it.
Do you ever feel like this?
Symptoms of dehydration include headache, dry mouth, dry skin, sleepiness and dry eyes. There are two things you can be certain of: when you wake up in the morning, you are in a state of dehydration. And when you are thirsty, you should choose to drink water before drinking anything else.
The benefits of hydrating adequately with water include:
- Water helps protect tissue, the spinal cord and your joints. Water acts as a moistener to your tissues and helps lubricate every moving part of your body.
- Water assists in waste removal. Water aids your kidneys, liver and intestines by helping flush waste from your body.
- Water helps produce saliva, and saliva aids your body in digestion. Water helps dissolve the fibers your body needs.
How to deal with dehydration
Water is the best cure for dehydration. Your body has an ongoing need for fluid, and water is still the best choice for fluid replacement. There is but one exception: those who have lost a considerable amount of fluid—whether by sweating, diarrhea, vomiting or other means—may be suffering from a condition known as hyponatremia (low electrolyte levels). Unless electrolytes (sodium and others) are taken with water, severe medical consequences can occur. If you have been sweating profusely, use an electrolyte-based drink for hydration.
Those who have formed the habit of hydrating with water first thing in the morning and have changed from using soft drinks or coffee as the primary means of fluid intake during the day have reported better alertness, easier weight loss and a more positive outlook. The same can happen to you.
Bypass the coffee grinder and the convenience store energy drinks. Save money, save time and save your health by learning to turn to the classic health drink used in all cultures: water.
(Stream photo by Mihai Tamasila)
Author Lane Goodberry focuses on health and wellness topics. Lane is a boomer generation believer in the value of wisdom for life.
