What Are We Really Drinking?
Our body is made up of more than 80% water, this is how we hydrate, detox, transport, and breakdown things inside each cell. We lose water through processes like urination and defecation (bowel movements), but also through sweating, breathing, and digestion. So as you might imagine if we don’t have in enough water going into our body to replace what we use, nothing works well. But how do we bring in more water? While you may think “my body doesn’t need much water” that’s not accurate, we all need water, its essential, just like oxygen. At first you might find you need to trick yourself into drinking, with a fun cup or flavorings. No matter how you do it, the goal should be aprox. ½ your body weight in ounces of water ,at a minimum, per day. (ie 140lb person would need 70 oz of water) We need this much to maintain what is call “homeostasis” or a healthy balance of water in and out.
There are lots of water brands advertising the “healthiest” option but honestly, if you are not drinking any not…. any is better than none. With that said, here are some things to think about, if you live in the city and want to drink tap water, that is fine but ensure you use a filtration system to get the chemicals that are added to it like fluoride, chlorine, and others. If you live with a well (you know who you are if you do), then you should have your water tested for parasites and nutrients like iron, ect. These are not things our body should be made to process and need to be removed, a Brita filter will remove some but, if you want to get the fine particles you might need to invest more time and money into something like reverse osmosis or hydrogenation. Again, I say any water is better than none so, if you’re not in place to do these things then your body will still be grateful for what we add in. Bottled water is another commonly discussed topic, any water that is kept in plastic can pull the chemicals from the plastic into it, so I recommend using a metal or glass bottle/cup for daily use. If you’re on the go…. any water is better than none, grab a bottled water. This is about balance.
A common question I get is “but isn’t soda made out of water?”. While the answer is yes…. the carbonation, sugar, and sweeteners all actively dehydrate you. So, any water that was in the soda originally has been completely changed. Soda is a catch 22, diet is actually, worse than regular sugared options. Diet contains artificial sweeteners, and our body gets the taste of sweet but no blood sugar raise, therefore, making our body crave more of it… causing addictive type of responses. Yep, that’s right… that’s why you want to drink more and more to get the same feeling. And don’t even get me started on the risk of ingesting ARTIFICIAL sweeteners. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8227014/ )
Coffee and tea are another good area to discuss, they are majority water, and both have health benefits, as long as you’re not adding copious amounts of artificial flavoring, sugars, and other additives. Black or plain coffee/tea with honey or light milk are beneficial but should not be counted at “water” intake.
Other beverages like sparkling/seltzer water, kombucha, and bone broth, have benefits in your diet. Sparkling/seltzer waters are a great way to add hydration without the sweetness of regular sodas and many have added electrolytes, but always check the labels and ensure they don’t have added artificial ingredients. Kombucha is a great way to add in probiotics and many options have come around in the last few years. I recommend increasing your intake of probiotic rich food and drinks if you’re taking antibiotics or have chronic illness. Bone broth is another very nutritious beverage many have been adding into their diets. It is full of nutrients, minerals, and even protein, but always check the label. Many brands are not true bone broths or contain artificial flavor or colors. Adding any of these in can boost your diet but don’t count these as your water intake daily.
Ultimately, when it comes to water, start slow and any is better than none. Over time you’ll be able to taste the difference in the quality and source of water, and that’s when you should really start listening to your body. Any nutrient deficiencies you may have will change what you crave.
Until next time, take one step towards feeling your best.
