Wonderful Water

We have a critical need for water

Several people have recently asked me about drinking water – its importance, how much, what kind, etc., so I now offer some thoughts on the very large and critical subject.  Today I’ll talk about the why and the how-to, and next time, I’ll address some of the choice-making involved in getting the most from your water-drinking.  Stay with me here. 


Most of us are aware of the importance of drinking water. Getting our daily requirement of water helps our organs function, keeps our skin clear and hydrated, and allows physical action in our body to flow smoothly. We tend to pay good attention to our water consumption in the warm summer months when we tend to be more active and spend more time in the sun.  I suggest, though, that the need for water in these cooler months may go unnoticed, and so getting enough water becomes a bigger challenge.  Drinking plenty of water is critical all year long. Not drinking enough water may lead to poor digestion, sluggish thinking, skin breakouts, headaches, bad breath and general fatigue.  

Jumpstart your day!

One good practice is to drink a glass of warm water with the juice of ½ a lemon in it when you first get up in the morning. (Lemon adds and additional boost to your kidneys and helps to alkalinize your body.  See my earlier blog here Lemon Water - Morning Jumpstart - 6/10/13). With or without the lemon,  a large glass first thing when you wake up in the morning will  pull out toxins left from the previous day and refreshes your system, preparing it for the day ahead. Keep a bottle of water accessible throughout the day, whether you’re on the go or sitting at a desk. Having water close by will remind you to take a sip when thirsty. The first sip of water will usually let you know how much you need. If you have most of your water before early evening, the possibility of interrupted sleep will not be an issue because you will not crave a big glass before bed. 

 

What about quality? Some people like bottled, while others prefer filtered. I’ll address some options next time. The key is that you should like the taste of the water you are drinking and the water should agree with your body. Try different options to see what you like best. Adding a few mint leaves, a wedge of lemon, a sprig of parsley, a few slices of cucumber, a twist of lime or a squeeze of orange to your water is a great way to mix up your routine---and might make it more tempting to sip often. By drinking tea and juice and eating raw fruits and vegetables high in water content, you will also be contributing to the hydration process.  

Please, if you have ideas about this important subject, share them in the comments section below.  And if you enjoy this blog, you can regularly receive it by entering your email address on the sidebar on the right.  

 

Live Well ~  ~  Eat Raw 

 

For more information on water, check out Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, by Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, M.D. and Integrative Nutrition, by Joshua Rosenthal, pages 186-189. 

For finding spring water --- http://findaspring.com

Lemon Water - Morning Jumpstart

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, choices that we make regarding our daily routine either build up resistance to disease or tear it down.  Ayurveda invites us to get a jump start on the day by focusing on morning rituals that work to align the body with nature’s rhythms, balance the doshas*, and foster self-esteem alongside discipline.
So while your mind may say you have to check emails, take the dog out, get the kids out of the door, and that you can’t be late for work, or that you just don’t have enough time to cultivate your own morning rituals.

In my last blog I talked about a relatively new morning ritual of mine – oil pulling.  I happily report, now 3 weeks later, that my annoying cough is gone.  Go figure.  I notice some other benefits as well, but will save them for another time.

Another of my morning rituals, though,for the last 2 or 3 years or so, is to drink a glass of warm water with 1/8-1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice (1/2 lemon).   Over time I have heard many of the benefits of this practice, so many that they are just too good to ignore.  Here are some of them.

1.  Boosts your immune system.  Lemons are  high in Vitamin C and potassium.  Vitamin C is great for fighting colds and potassium stimulates brain and nerve function and helps control blood pressure.

2.  Balances pH.  Lemons are quite and alkaline food.  On their own they are acidic, true, but inside us they’re alkaline and do not create acidity.  An alkaline body is an important component of good health.

3.  Helps with weight loss.  Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings.  It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster.

4.  Aids digestion.  The warm water serves to stimulate the gastrointestinal tract and peristalsis—the waves of muscle contractions within the intestinal walls that keep things moving.  Lemons and limes are high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen toxins in the digestive tract.

5.  Acts as a gentle, natural diuretic.  Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials because lemons increase the rate of urination in the body.  Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

6.  Clears skin.  The vitamin C helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes.  Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well.

7.  Hydrates the lymph system.  Starting the day on this hydrated note helps prevent dehydration and adrenal fatigue.  Lack of proper hydration compromises many body systems, which leads to toxic buildup, stress, constipation, and a host of other ills.  The two small adrenal glands which sit on top of your kidneys partner with your thyroid to create energy.  They also secrete important hormones, one of which is aldesterone which regulates water levels and the concentration of minerals, like sodium helping you to stay hydrated.  They also regulate your stress response.  It’s important  to treat your adrenals well and avoid dehydration. Lemon water is also much kinder to your adrenals than coffee and other caffeinated drinks, which stimulate them.

Try this easy practice for awhile, and be attentive to what changes or doesn’t change for you.  I’ve been at it for so long that I can’t pinpoint which benefits I am experiencing more, but I can tell you that if I’ve been away from home for awhile, I am happy to get back to my morning lemon water when I return.  It’s just a good start to the day.  Let me know how it works for you.

*Dosha – any of 3 principles: kapha (earth and fire), pitta (fire and water), and vata (ether and air) which, according to the Ayurvedic construct, are the sonstituents that orchestrate a person’s mental and physiologic functions, including metabolism and mind/body type.  (Segen’s Medical Dictionary, 2012)

Adapted from an article, source unknown.  My apologies to the lost author.)