Make “Bottoms Up” Your Mantra March 28, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Food & Drink, Health & Wellness.trackback
We all know that we should keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Here are 13 reasons why:
1. Flushes toxins from the body through the kidneys and colon.
2. Aids in digestion, including saliva production.
3. Keeps the intestines moving smoothly to prevent constipation.
4. Keeps brain (75% water) functioning at “maximum” capacity.
5. Assists body absorb nutrients and convert food into energy.
6. Moisturizes eyes to keep vision sharp through tear production.
7. Helps regulate body temperature.
8. Cushions and lubricates joints.
9. Keeps muscles (75% water) pumped up . . . including the heart.
10. Lubricates nasal passages to assist immune system fight alien invaders.
11. Protects and cushions vital organs.
12. Keeps blood (83% water) thinned to protect against heart attacks and strokes
13. Helps regulate blood pressure and carry oxygen and nutrients to cells.
Bottoms Up!
Or should I say . . . down the hatch!
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Spirit Lights The Way 
Good reminder. Heh, reading it makes me relieved that I always make sure to drink a lot of water.
It’s no wonder we can survive without food far longer than without water.
When we are de-hydrated, our bodies grab water from non-essential organs to keep our heart, lungs, and brain functioning.
Drink up!
Bwahahahaha, I need no reminder. Oh, you’re talking about water … which reminds me, look at the time, it’s wine-o-clock!
Wine, of course, has benefits all of its own. 😀
Cheers! {{clink}}
I like it!
Don’t forget to drink in moderation. If I drink too much water, or any other liquid, I spend the rest of the day running to the rest room.
Good point, William.
If urine is pale yellow . . . we’re drinking the right amount. If its too dark, we should drink more. If it’s clear, we should drink less.
Cindy is too funny….She’s remembering how water was turned to wine! Me? I’ll take either!
During the day, I prefer water. For Happy Hour, something a bit “stronger.” 😉
I prefer my water boiled and filtered with the essential nutrient (caffeine) added. Otherwise, make mine an ale.
I do like a cup or two of Java Juice first thing in the morning . . . makes greeting the day a bit more palatable. 🙂
13 excellent reasons for a drink – cheers, Nancy!
I’m glad that I enjoy drinking water ~ during the day, it’s definitely my beverage of choice. Especially with a twist of lemon or lime. Aah . . .
I have taken to making a thermos of tea that I drink throughout the day (decaf of course) it helps with the water consumption and keeping down the binge eating. I also drink plain water too.
Good for you, Lisa. At first, “they said” that coffee and tea didn’t count towards our needed H2O intake. They’ve since recognized that any form of hydration is beneficial . . . and teas have so many anti-oxidants.
Wonderful. I knew water was good, but now I know why.
There’s probably even more benefits to quaffing our thirst with H2O, but 13 is my favorite number. 🙂
[…] We all know that we should keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Here are 13 reasons why: 1. Flushes toxins from the body through the kidneys and colon. 2. Aids in digestion, including saliva production. 3. Keeps the intestines moving smoothly to prevent constipation. 4. Keeps brain (75% water) functioning at "maximum" capacity. 5. Assists body absorb nutrients and convert food into energy. 6. Moisturizes eyes to keep … Read More […]
My favorite… #6 – I hate dry eyes! ‘Tis a great list!
Dry itchy eyes make me feel sluggish and worn out ~ it’s my cue to take a nap. Plus, it’s easier to wink with hydrated eyes. 😉
I knew some but not all of that. I drink a lot of water.
Liked the last line 🙂
After I finish my coffee in the morning, I almost always have a bottle or glass of water within easy reach.
It’s the best thirst quencher for me.
I think I know the answer to this but…does tea count?
The answer used to be “no” ~ now “the experts” seem to agree that tea and coffee should be counted.
I’m with Cindy once it gets to gin o’clock, but for the rest of the day- plenty of water and the ever faithful tea, green or black both are equally good.
Thanks for the post.
Thanks, Judith! Here’s to arriving at Happy Hour fully hydrated. 🙂
Living in a hot country, I often get dehydrated and let me tell you, it’s not pleasant – nausea, headache, distorted vision, dizzy, etc., – total incapacitation to do anything.
I still have to remind myself to drink more water during the day, so thanks for this! Funny I never forget to have a glass of wine at the end of the day though!
If we want to survive and thrive, we must imbibe H2O.
I drink about 32 ounces of water a day, plus other liquids, like coffee, and maybe a soda. This may not be enough, but I’m short. Ha! I sip water. I cannot chug it. It amazes me to watch my hubby chug 8 ounces of water in an instant. Like – he opens his mouth and tips the bottle until it’s dry! Thank you for the reminder that our bodies truly NEED water. Blessings to you, Nancy…
I’m like you, I sip water all day and rarely chug it down.
Be guided by your thirst. If you’re thirsty, drink more.
According to the Mayo Clinic:
If you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or slightly yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate.
If you’re concerned about your fluid intake, check with your doctor or a registered dietitian. He or she can help you determine the amount of water that’s best for you.
Careful not to drink too much. You can flush out nutrients if you drink too much water too quickly.
And tea does not equal water. Tea can dehydrate.
Carry on.
You’re right on both counts ~ slow and steady wins the race to hydration, and caffeine (and alcohol) can cause dehydration.
But I’ve seen a number of recent studies saying that liquid in any form aids the body’s efforts to hydrate itself.
Here’s what the Mayo Clinic has to say:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283
Although it’s a great idea to keep water within reach at all times, you don’t need to rely only on what you drink to meet your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion of your fluid needs. On average, food provides about 20 percent of total water intake. For example, many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and tomatoes, are 90 percent or more water by weight.
In addition, beverages such as milk and juice are composed mostly of water. Even beer, wine and caffeinated beverages — such as coffee, tea or soda — can contribute, but these should not be a major portion of your daily total fluid intake. Water is still your best bet because it’s calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available.
thanks for the reminder…I do not drink enough water, but I have been trying to make the necessary changes for all of the reasons you listed. I will print this out and hang it over my computer. Thanks! enJOY!
It’s like all good (and bad) habits . . . it takes about 30 days to become part of the fabric of our lives.
Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink… I tend to drink more water in the spring and summer than I do in the winter. Plus, I like room temp water…I’ll drink one cup now to spring! Bottoms up! 🙂
Eliz
And in the winter, the air dries out our nasal passageways, lessening our resistance to flu and colds. Drink up! Stay healthy!
I don’t drink nearly enough water…perhaps that’s the secret to the downward-facing dog position.
PiP
It is! Our muscles are like celery ~ they get soft and rubbery without enough water to plump them up. 😉
Celery ribs are restored to crispness by standing them in ice water . . . we’re restored to crispness by drinking water.
Very interesting presentation, Nancy. I am infamous for my lack of water drinking, and I think I have spent a good part of my life mildly dehydrated. I am more aware of it now, although I am one of the few diabetics I know that doesn’t swill water down by the bucketsful.
My problem is that I cannot seem to drink water by itself…not even lemonade. I simply cannot seem to swallow enough of it to make the difference. However, I have found a slightly flavored carbonated water called “free & clear” offered by President’s Choice. I love the lime flavor and drink *it* by the bucketsful. It is more expensive than water alone, but it seems to fill the bill for fluid intake.
In addition, I only drink usually one cup of coffee in the morning, sometimes two, and rarely drink wine or alcoholic beverages (because of the diabetes).
As a sidenote – both my mother-in-law and my brother-in-law worked at the original Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in the surgical core.
The articles I’ve read indicate that many adults are mildly dehydrated. Sparkling water is one way to up your intake of H2O.
Water is the only thing I drink aside from my morning coffee…okay, I lie, once in a great while I have a vanilla shake.
You just reminded me to drink a glass right now. Down the hatch!
I found you through my good friend Elizabeth and her blog-hop…because I’m a hopper.
Blog hopping is perfect for bunnies! 😀
Tea,gallons and gallons of sweet tea! I really hate water.
Tea has valuable anti-oxidants, but drinking sweet tea makes me thirsty. So does soda.
When I’m thirsty, I love a tall glass of ice cold water with a twist of lemon or lime. 😀
Used to need elevendy billion gallons of water a day. Now I thirst for no more than something less than a half gallon each day. Anything else I feel bloated and uncomfortable. I am coming up on 62. Does that matter?
The articles I’ve read say that thirst is not as accurate a gauge as we age. But half a gallon sounds about right ~ 64 oz.
Great post!
Thanks, Toke!