New Day Your Way

Drink Before You're Dry

On average, we lose around 10 cups of water a day through normal body functions. So imagine what happens if we not only fail to replace what we lose, but we also worsen our dehydration with too many beverages that have a diuretic effect. Coffee, colas, black teas and alcohol, for example, all rob the body of water, rather than hydrate it.

The human body consists of at least 70% water, and the brain around 85%. While we can survive without food for several weeks, we can barely last a week without fluid. Even mild

dehydration slows down our metabolism, hinders our ability to complete tasks that require concentration, impairs our memory and makes us feel exhausted. While we may be slow to recognize the more generalized symptoms of thirst, the condition is brought into sharper focus once we start to experience chronic headaches, constipation and acne. These are due to the build-up of toxins caused by sluggish kidneys that aren't getting sufficient water to flush them out of the body.

When you're trying to lose weight, it's even more crucial to drink water-according to the Institute of Medicine, at least nine 8oz glasses of water per day for women and 13 for men. Taken before a meal, or when you're tempted to snack, it will give you the sensation of fullness, tricking your brain into believing you're full.

When You Feel Thirsty it's Too Late

Never allow yourself to reach the point where you feel thirsty: if you get this far it's too late: you're already dehydrated. The reflex that tells you you're thirsty is, in fact, an early-warning signal: if you don't get a drink soon, your health will be at serious risk.

It Could be Thirst, Rather than Hunger

Your brain can't differentiate between hunger and thirst so, before you grab something to eat, drink a glass of water, then wait five minutes and see if you still feel like food. Chances are that you won't. If your daily water intake is inadequate and you think you feel hungry, your body is actually crying out for water. Keep a bottle handy all day and train yourself to sip from it repeatedly. If you're someone who prefers their fluids flavored, give plain water a try before you reject it out of hand completely: it will seem bland initially, but you learn to love it, especially when it's chilled.

Beware of the Sneaky Calories

Think of your calorie intake when you reach for a high-calorie beverage: it's easy to believe that because you're just quenching your thirst, rather than eating solid food, you're not taking in extra calories. But if it contains additional sugar, as in sodas, or fat, as in hot milky drinks, then you may as well have a snack, since there will be little difference in their calorie content.