Health

Are You Drinking Water The Wrong Way?

By

Sandeep Singh

There are many ways through which you may have been drinking water the wrong way. Going for many days without water or drinking too much of it both qualify as wrong. Most people tend to take up the notion of drinking about eight cups, forgetting that most of the water your body needs is found inside the food you prepare.

In recent years, more people have been drinking water, so bottled water sales are at an all-time high, surpassing soda sales sometimes. While hydrating after playing cash slots at your favorite online casino is excellent for your body, many people have been trying to hydrate but get it wrong. These are some reasons you might be drinking your water incorrectly.

1. Disregarding the water contained in solid foods

About a fifth of the water you take daily is found in the same foods you eat, most notably fruits and vegetables. Although it is good for you to ensure you get the right amount of water you need, you should also pay attention to hydrating through veggies and fruits.

Most of them are primarily water, anyway. Fruits and vegetables such as; tomatoes, lettuce, watermelon, celery, green pepper, and cucumber are great examples. Another advantage is that they also have rich nutrients and vitamins that benefit your body.

2. Taking too much water

There are no studies showing that drinking excess water does you any good. It would be best if you did not wait until you are thirsty so that you can chug down glass after glass of this precious liquid. When you wait until you’re parched to drink your water, you’ll typically take too much, and you may get hyponatremia, also known as water intoxication.

This condition causes the body’s sodium levels to dip dangerously low, resulting in seizures, brain swelling, or comatose. If you are especially active in sports, avoid downing water too quickly right after the session and turn to healthy sports drinks, which will replenish the electrolytes and sodium inside your body.

3. You are leaving a glass by your bed

Drinking water before you get into bed is not recommended for people trying to lose weight. This is simply because taking too much water before you retire to bed causes you to wake up many times at night to pass urine which disrupts your sleep pattern, adversely impacting your weight loss goals.

Instead, start reducing your fluid intake a few hours before sleeping. It will allow your body to process the water for you to visit the restroom in good time before you jump into bed.

4. Drinking water from plastic bottles

While many people will stock dozens of bottled water in their refrigerators, you should avoid drinking your water from plastic bottles. Typically, plastic bottles are manufactured with Bisphenol A. This chemical is known to disrupt hormones in the body and can adversely affect fertility, cause cancer, and also has links to causing obesity.

If you want to remain hydrated while on the go, consider buying a refillable BPA-free bottle.

5. You are not pairing your water with lemon

Adding lemon slices to your water adds flavor to your bland drink and can also help you lose weight. Lemon skin contains D-limonene, a powerful antioxidant known to stimulate enzymes in the liver to flush out toxins from your body.

Lemon also has vitamin C, which helps regulate cortisol levels assisting the body in avoiding extremely high levels. Too much cortisol in the body causes it to keep storing fats which is not ideal.

Foods with a high water content

Although about 80% of most people’s water intake comes from the beverages they take, the remaining part comes from the foods they take. Some foods have a higher water content than others, and here are some that you could include in your diet.

1. Cucumber: Since 95% of cucumber is water, a single cucumber serving contains only eight calories, which is also great if you are trying to lose weight. Cucumbers are also a great source of vitamins A and K and fiber.

2. Watermelon: As the name suggests, this juicy red fruit contains 92% water. It is an excellent snack to remain hydrated on a busy day. Watermelons are also packed with valuable nutrients and are a good source of antioxidants.

3. Watercress: One of the reasons why watercress features in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “powerhouse fruits and vegetables” list is its high water content. Watercress is also excellent for salads.

4. Tomatoes: These are a common meal preparation ingredient in most homes and are delicious on their own. They are also rich in water; one cup of this sliced fruit has about 170.14 grams of water.

5. Broth: Although not necessarily a fruit, vegetable, or food, a simple broth is another excellent water source. Made by simmering bones with seasonings in water, this soup base can be served with vegetables for that extra hydration.

Conclusion

To stay healthy, you must include purified, softer water into your diet correctly. Proper water uptake will ensure that your body remains fit and healthy. Also, consider these five foods to supplement your water intake.