6 Tips to Stay Hydrated

From Experience Life

Why Water Matters

Even healthy eaters often underestimate the importance of their water intake and wind up suffering from chronic, low-grade dehydration. Here are just a few reasons good hydration is essential to good health, followed by six tips for staying hydrated:

Energy: Suboptimal hydration slows the activity of enzymes, including those responsible for producing energy, leading to feelings of fatigue. Even a slight reduction in hydration can lower metabolism and reduce your ability to exercise efficiently.

Digestion: Our bodies produce an average of 7 liters of digestive juices daily. When we don’t drink enough liquid, our secretions are more limited and the digestive process is inhibited. (Note that drinking too much water all at once, particularly with food, can also dilute digestive juices, reducing their efficacy and leading to indigestion.)

Regularity: As partially digested food passes through the colon, the colon absorbs excess liquid and transfers it to the bloodstream so that a stool of normal consistency is formed. When the body is low on water, it extracts too much liquid from the stool, which then becomes hard, dry and difficult to eliminate. Slowed elimination contributes to bodywide toxicity and inflammation.

Blood Pressure: When we are chronically dehydrated, our blood becomes thicker and more viscous. Additionally, in response to reduced overall blood volume, the blood vessels contract. To compensate for the increased vein-wall tension and increased blood viscosity, the body must work harder to push blood through the veins, resulting in elevated blood pressure.

Next: 9 more reasons to drink water, and 6 tips for staying hydrated

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Read more: Health, benefits of water, dehydration, hydration, water

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Santanita G.

11:37AM PDT on May 14, 2011

I thought it was good. I like when the article explains the why. Sometimes if you know why, you tend to get the idea better. Saying just drink water, does not help my understand why I need to drink water. Thank you

send a green star

Michael S.

3:10PM PDT on May 5, 2011

Great article on how and why you should get hyrdtrated! http://getuitnow.blogspot.com/2011/04/difficulties-are-meant-to-rouse-not.html

Colleen M.

5:03AM PST on Nov 14, 2010

Recent clinical trials prove that no water hydrates and oxygenates better than water that's been stirred for 20 seconds with a StirWand (carry it in your pocket; will last your lifetime).

Another "out-of-this-world" product just released, is claimed to add an unprecedented level of oxygen to water. It's called Liquid Manna and Royal Liquid Manna (distributed by Global Light Network).

Kevin L.

12:17PM PDT on Sep 13, 2010

VIVO PLUS is made of water which has been purified by the water vapor compression process. This is the purest form of water. VIVO PLUS has been modified at the subatomic. atomic and molecular levels by magnetism, laser, and extra energyat the 600 HZ level. This allows VIVO PLUS to hydrate at an exceptional fast rate. VIVO PLUS is classified as a funtional water, qwhich means that any food or medication will be enhanced when taken in conjunction with VIVO PLUS. Found out more at www.enjoyvivoplus.com

Adam P.

2:38AM PDT on Sep 9, 2010

good to know, thanks :-)

Jennifer M.

8:21AM PDT on Sep 8, 2010

Thanks!

Linda J.

8:00AM PDT on Sep 8, 2010

Thanks

Diane W.

11:13PM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

thank you.

7:34PM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

Jesus answered and said unto her, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." John 4:10

John M.

5:48PM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

A very detailed article! Thanks and I will keep drinking water.