"Drink Up"

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Considering we live in a country with a mostly tropical climate, its surprising how little importance we give to the habit of drinking water. Most of us get thirsty and end up drinking fizzy drinks or other forms of sweetened, syrupy concoctions that don’t necessarily quench our thirst. The fact is carbonated beverages (especially stuff like Coke and Sprite) don’t replenish the body of the liquid its trying to replace. In fact, under some conditions of extreme heat, the worst thing you could drink would be a fizzy, sugary drink that would send your blood sugar levels soaring temporarily but them bring them crashing down again leaving you feeling even thirstier than before! Fact: the most effective way to hydrate your body and quench your thirst is also the most easily available (ie in your refrigerator): Water.


Making up more than 50% of your body weight, water is the essential stuff you need to lubricate your joints, keep your body temperature normal, and get rid of waste and toxins through sweat, urination, and bowel movements. Without enough water your body can get dehydrated, which can lead to muscle cramping, a feeling of weakness, and a higher chance of heatstroke or heat exhaustion. And guess what? If you are living in a place which has hot weather you are likely to need to drink greater amounts of water than people living in cooler climates. This is also the case if you are an active person who does a lot of vigorous exercise or if you are down with a viral infection or stomach bug which keeps your stomach going and going and going!

So whats the magic number? We all know the famous “8 glasses a day” rule, but the truth is that if you are healthy, you don’t really need to monitor your daily intake of water. You can get enough water by simply drinking when you are thirsty and getting a decent amount of liquids in through soups and other drinks (juices, herbal teas) during the course of your day. However, if you are on the go constantly, working in a job which requires you to chase one deadline after the next leaving you very little free time, it’s a good idea to keep a bottle of water on your desk and maybe even a small one in your bag. Make sure you are emptying both bottles a couple of times a day to ensure that you are getting what you need to replenish your body and stay hydrated throughout your day! Drink well and here’s to your health :)

"Drink Up: Water - It does the body good!"

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Lets face it, we live in a tropical climate. Temps can go up to 50 degrees in the summer (if you don’t believe me, please visit Delhi anytime in the months of May or June). In some places the humidity is so high you constantly look and feel like you just stepped out of a shower and forgot to dry yourself. And in other places the sun is so freakin strong you literally feel like you’ve had the wind kicked out of you the minute you step into the sun.
So why oh why do we allow ourselves to suffer further in these conditions without bothering to do the most basic thing to combat the effects of heat? Why, pray tell me, don’t any of us drink the water we need? Instead we chug down sugary, carbonated, calorie-laden drinks which are advertised as “cool” and “refreshing”! Guess what? Not only do these drinks fail to quench your thirst, they are often the reason you feel even more dehydrated and tired!


Finally you might ask, why water? For so so many reasons!

It amps up your energy levels! When you are tired, it’s often a sign of dehydration. Just grab that glass of water and feel the energy bring your body bouncing right back on track!

It works as a stress buster! The majority of your brain is made of water so if you’re dehydrated, both your body and your mind will be stressed. In fact, thirst is a sign of dehydration! So keep your stress at bay by keeping a glass of water at your desk and take regular sips. Remember to try and get at least 6 to 8 glasses of H20 a day.

It boosts your metabolism (especially if you drink it cold) helping you to lose those extra kilos and stay fit. Just drink a glass before meals to help you feel fuller and watch those inches melt away!

It reduces your risk of kidney stones! The rate of painful kidney stones is rising because people - including children - aren't drinking enough water. Water dilutes the salts and minerals in your urine that form the solid crystals known as kidney stones. Since Kidney stones can't form in diluted urine, reduce your risk with plenty of water.

It helps your workout! Drinking water helps prevent muscle cramping and is also good for the joints of the body, allowing you to exercise longer and harder without feeling exhausted

It stimulates your digestive fires! If the body is well hydrated, it adds to the effectiveness of the digestive tract.


It gives you “that glow” – mother natures secret weapon of defense against the evils of fine lines and wrinkles ladiesI Drinking the stuff gives your skin cells more oxygen, making those gorgeous faces look younger. Not just that, it even gets rid of all the toxins and dirt in the skin by improving blood circulation.
 
The Result? Squeaky clean, clear and happy skin.