Stay Hydrated this Summer….

There are many reasons why drinking water is good for you, but sometimes we need that extra push to make it happen.  The current recommendation is around 2 Litres a day (equating to around 6-8 glasses).  During the warmer months it is even more important to up your water intake and keep your body functioning at its best.

Discover five reasons why increasing your intake of water can help improve your health, and some suggestions on how you can make it happen more easily…

1. Improve your mental state – Cognitive performance can be hugely affected by dehydration.  You may feel more tired, frustrated, less creative and moody.  Give your body a boost by having a bottle of water to hand by your desk / workspace and have small but regular sips throughout the day. 
2. Weight management – When your body is dehydrated, we can often get confused with feeling hungry, this means we are more likely to snack.  Stop and think for a moment when hunger strikes and ask yourself could you be thirsty instead? Also, having a glass of water before a meal can actually help prevent overeating at mealtimes.
3. Essential body functions – Drinking water is essential for a healthy body.  The blood in our bodies is made up of 90% water, and since blood carries oxygen around our bodies, and delivers vital nutrients to different parts of the body, a dehydrated body would soon feel the effects.  There are bottles you can buy that track how much water you are drinking – these type of bottles aim to help motivate you to drink a certain amount at certain times of the day.
4. Water helps flush out waste – Our bodies rely on water to help flush out toxins.  Drinking water can also help avoid constipation as it helps to ‘keep things moving’.  Try drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning before your regular cup of tea or coffee (it is debatable whether tea and coffee are classed as water intake).  If you like it nice and cold, put it in the fridge the night before.  It will not only give you a good morning boost, but it will help you flush out nasties in your body. 
5. Improve your skin – When our bodies are dehydrated it can make our skin appear dull and fine lines and wrinkles become much more apparent.  Boost your skin from the inside by drinking the recommended water intake, it is the cheapest skin care you will find! Don’t forget to wear sunscreen to also protect your skin!          

There are so many more benefits to drinking water and staying hydrated such as promoting healthy kidney function, lubricating your joints, regulating body temperature, helping to maintain blood pressure, helping aid digestion and so much more!  Find out more at www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/water-drinks-nutrition/     

FUN FACT: Watermelon is 92% Water