We all need a sufficient amount of water every day for optimal health, but how do you know if you’re getting enough?
You’ve likely heard drinking enough water curbs your appetite. But water is important for every cell in your body.
It lubricates your joints, improves short-term memory, carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells, and helps your heart pump blood more easily through blood vessels. It also keeps your digestive tract moving and can ward off headaches.
Good question and I have that answer included in my prescriptions today:
Partha’s RX
1. General guidelines recommend around 11 cups of water a day for women and 15 cups for men. But everyone is different. Having urine that is clear or very light yellow can indicate you’re hydrated.
2. You can boost water intake through high-water-content foods. Cucumbers, apples, spinach and watermelon are excellent choices - as are broth-based soups.
3. Milk, juice, tea and coffee also count towards your total water intake. But get the majority of liquids by drinking water as it’s healthy and calorie-free.
4. Set goals to hit your daily target. Drink a bottle on the way to and from work, have a glass before every meal or set a timer on your phone to remind you it’s time to drink up.
Drinking too much can lead to a dangerous condition called hyponatremia - where your kidneys can’t get rid of excess water and dilute your sodium levels. But this is uncommon.
I want you to pay attention to how your body feels. Lack of energy, trouble with concentration, irritability and constipation can be signs of low water intake. If you’re thirsty then drink water but keep in mind being dehydrated can also make you feel hungry.
