With summer on the way it’s important to remember to drink plenty of water. Whether you lead an active or a relaxed lifestyle, water is essential to maintaining your health.
There is no set formula for how much water a person should drink. How much water you require depends on many factors, including your overall health, where you live and how active you are. Generally, health practitioners suggest you drink around two litres per day. That’s the equivalent of about eight glasses.
Water makes up 60 per cent of your body weight, and throughout the day you gradually lose water through breathing, perspiring, and your urine and bowel movements. It is crucial that you replenish it by drinking water and consuming foods that contain water.
On average, food should provide a person with roughly 20 per cent of their daily water intake. The rest should be clean, fresh H2O.
Fruits and vegetables are ideal foods to eat to maintain hydration because they are made up of at least 90 per cent water. Some of the highest water content fruits and veggies are:
- cucumbers – have the highest water content of any food
- iceberg lettuce – has the highest water content of any lettuce variety
- celery – contains bonus fibre
- capsicum – especially the green variety which is packed with antioxidants
- watermelon, cauliflower and broccoli – all contain cancer-fighting compounds
- cantaloupe – contains 100 per cent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C
- radishes and tomatoes.
Ways to drink your daily water:
- drink a glass of water with each meal and between each meal
- keep a glass at your work or space and refill it every hour, or carry a water bottle made from stainless steel or glass with you so you can drink constantly throughout the day
- drink a glass of water each time you’ve gone to the bathroom
- put lemon, cucumber or strawberries pieces in your water glass or bottle to give your water extra taste and zing
- drink water before, during and after exercise, especially if spending time in the sun.
Resources
Health.com
Mayoclinic.org
Myfitnesspal.com
