The Cleansing Nature of Water

We’ve been talking all about cleanses and detoxes this month, but did you know that your body can cleanse and detox itself. Yes, it can flush harmful substances out of your system ALL BY ITSELF!! But one important thing it does need from you is WATER!! Your body is made up of 60-75% water. It’s no surprise that how much you drink can affect how your body can cleanse and therefore affect your health. Too much water could result in mineral imbalances, while too little could cause dehydration, headaches, or fatigue.

Let’s think about how much water we should drink. It’s not uncommon for clients to let me know they carry a bottle of water with them all day but to not have much idea how much water they are actually getting. Bio-individuality applies not only to food but also to the amount of water our bodies need to function properly. On average, men should drink about 3 liters (13 cups) and women about 2.2 liters (9 cups) of water each day. In order to satisfy individual needs, various lifestyle factors need to be taken into consideration. For example, the water content in fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables may increase hydration in the body. If you are physically working hard each day you may need to increase your water as sweating releases water to cool your body after a big workout. 

WATER INTAKE SHOULD BE INCREASED IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:

• hot/humid temperature
• high altitude (above 8,200 feet)
• during exercise
• illness/incidence of fever, diarrhea, vomiting
• infections of the bladder or urinary tract
• pregnancy/breast feeding
• increased alcohol intake

There are many types of water including tap, bottled, filtered, distilled, and alkaline ionized water. Consumption generally depends on cost and availability, as not everybody has access to the best sources of water. 

• TAP WATER is the most readily-available but may not always be the safest option. Some cities have very good purification systems, while others leave traces of chlorination by-products, lead, and sometimes bacteria. Research your city’s Consumer Confidence Report distributed every year by the Environmental Protection Agency to see if additional home purification is warranted.
• WATER FILTERS can help remove contaminants from water. It’s important to know which contaminants are present in your water to choose the right filter.
• DISTILLATION is a process consisting of boiling water, has also been found to remove impurities and toxins. However, some believe the naturally occurring minerals in non-distilled water are beneficial to health. 
• BOTTLED WATER has become a popular option for individuals without access to safe tap water; however, there are growing concerns about chemicals from the plastic seeping into the water, as well as the effects that the increasing number of bottles is having on the environment.
• WATER IONIZERS are gaining more recognition for their ability to create alkaline ionized water through electrolysis, which may have certain health benefits.

This is just a small taste of the bigger water picture, but it will start you thinking about water and what water is needed by you as an individual.  It’s great to carry a water bottle with you but PLEASE drink the water.  Know how much you are getting and how that water (or lack of water) is affecting you.  Thanks for reading this week!  Have a fantastic final few days of January!  I hope to see you back again next week for more focus on physical activity in February! 

Want to get even healthier? Want help figuring out how much water your body needs? Curious about how health coaching can help you make your own healthy changes? Let’s talk! Schedule an initial complimentary consultation with me today—or pass this offer on to someone you care about! Visit www.noshoesnutrition.com and sign up for a FREE consultation.  I work with people from all over the world individually or in groups so don’t let anything hold you back!