The study, which took place at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, found that marginal increases to the quantity of water you consume--as little as one percentage point more of water--can make an impact on your diet right away and your health over time. The subjects were 18,311 men and women who took part in a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). They were tracked between 2005 and 2012.
This study serves as a valuable reminder of just how important our daily water intake is, and the effort we should make to consume adequate amounts throughout the day. Our bodies are typically between 60 and 70 percent water, so it is essential to drink enough to keep sufficiently hydrated. Contrary to what some medical authorities have touted over the years, we should strive to consume between 64 and 96 ounces of plain water every day, which is slightly more than the long-recommended eight eight-ounce glasses. If you like a little more variety than only water, you can substitute a small amount of fresh fruit or vegetable juice or non-diuretic herbal teas for a little water. But your main beverage of choice should always be plain water. Keep in mind that caffeine is a diuretic so that if you are consuming any amount of coffee, tea, or energy drinks during the day, you are actually depleting your body of water and need to consume even more pure water to make up the difference
Another key point that Jon Barron has discussed before is that not all water is the same. Invest in a good water filter if--like most municipal water supplies--your local tap water contains fluoride, chlorine, and chloramines. A 2012 study at the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts showed an association between high fluoride levels in drinking water and lower IQs in children. And chlorine in our drinking water was shown in a 2003 study at the Municipal Institute of Medical Research in Barcelona, Spain to increase the risk of bladder cancer, particularly in men. Analyze the pH of your water too, using a simple testing kit. (For more on why drinking alkaline water is so important,read this.)
If drinking water throughout the day isn't one of your natural habits, don't wait until mealtimes to increase your consumption. In fact, you don't want to drink water with your meals as it dilutes your digestive juices. Keep a glass nearby at your desk, on the coffee table as you watch television, and in the kitchen as you are preparing meals. When water is in front of you, chances are good you will start drinking a lot more of it.
To your best health,
Derrick M.
Online Marketer
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