The Wonders of Water

ActiveMile is asking you to switch on the water works, for your own good.

We once read on Instagram that water’s flavour is how cold it tastes. We will leave that with you, but somehow, we think it makes sense. At Active Mile, we are passionate about educating our community on all things health related, so we thought we would take some time this week to tell you about water. It might not sound like the most thrilling of articles, but believe us when we say, it will be one of the most important reads of your health journey.

Other than the obvious facts we already know, water does a lot more than just keep you hydrated. Yes, this is an important one, especially if you are working out a lot, but there are many more health benefits to filling up your body with water daily.

An adult body is made up of 60% water.

You lose water every day in different ways, this includes by breathing, going to the toilet, and perspiring. It’s important that you replenish what you are losing for your body, and mind to function correctly. Its right that we should be drinking a minimum of eight glasses a day, but you can also increase your water intake by eating a range of fruits and vegetables. Also think about drinking tea and coffee, maybe not too much of the caffeine, but they are made up mostly of water, so it all contributes to your daily intake.

Water flows through us to ensure that our kidneys stay healthy, lubricating the cartilage in our joints, and hydrating our skin. This can help with those pesky spots and wrinkles! We also rely on water to keep our mouths clean. This may sound ridiculous, but think of all the saliva we produce and the water we lose through crying, allergies and blowing our noses. Are you putting back in what’s naturally flowing out?

Have you ever seen the films with the travelers wondering in the deserts see mirages and hallucinate. This is because they were unable to consume water. Dehydration can affect the function of your brain, making your thoughts become cloudy and confusing, impacting your reasoning. Maintain those eight glasses a day and water will protect your brain, by forming a protective water cushion around it. It does the same for the spinal cord too. So, no biggie, just two of the most important things that keep us alive and mobile.

Speaking of keeping us alive, your blood is 90% oxygen and blood carries the oxygen to different parts of your body, water is pretty crucial in making that happen. Lack of water can make your blood become thicker which could be a contributing factor in having high blood pressure.

So how much water should you be drinking? Remember those 8 glasses as a go to figure. This is a good way to measure your intake. In numbers: 3.7 daily liters for men (about 15 and a half cups), and 2.7 liters for women (around 11 and a half cups), according to the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

Did you know that watermelon and spinach are almost 100% water? So these would be some great foods to add to your shopping list.

Active Mile’s Top Tips for hitting to those water targets

1. Have at least one glass of water with every meal

2. Stock up on water-based foods such as water melon and spinach. About 20% of your fluid intake comes from food.

3. Carry a huge water bottle with you and aim to finish it within the day.

4. Try swapping out soda for water – this way you increase your water intake and support healthy nutrients going into your precious body.

Water is stored in between the layers of your skin. When your body heats up, this water comes to the surface and produces sweat. As it evaporates it cools your body.

The next time you are reaching for a soda, think twice and maybe grab a water instead. But remember the colder it is, the better it will taste!