We’ve all heard it….you’re supposed to drink 8 – 10 glasses of water a day.  But how many of us actually achieve that?   Here are some important facts for you to consider before skipping a glass or two.  It takes very little fluid loss – only 1-2 % of the body’s total water content – to cause dehydration.  Every day, the average person loses at least two cups of water through breathing, another two cups through invisible perspiration and six cups through urination and bowel movements.  That’s ten cups a day!

Obviously, we need to ensure that we are replenishing our body’s need for water.   Staying hydrated has magnificent benefits for your skin, hair and nails.  Remember, beauty starts from within.  If you’re not getting enough water it will show up in parched strands of hair, a flaky scalp, dry skin and brittle nails.

 

Drinking lots of water can also block food cravings and reduce the appetite.  Here’s a trick for distinguishing whether you’re hungry or really just thirsty:  the next time you feel hungry, drink a glass of ice-cold water and wait a few minutes.  You may find that you’re no longer feeling hungry.  If you are still hungry, go ahead and have a light snack.  Start to learn your body’s signals for telling you when you’re hungry or just thirsty.  Learning this difference can help you stop eating those unnecessary calories which ultimately lead to weight gain.  By not drinking enough water, your body’s reaction is to retain the water it does have.  This hampers kidney functions and waste products accumulate.  Then your liver’s main function, which is metabolizing stored fat into usable energy, is minimized.  Experts have also found that dehydration can lead to a lack of concentration, impaired thinking and fatigue.

So now you know! So drink up and do your body good!