1. The importance of water to health is often overlooked. Approximately 75% of people are under-hydrated. When you consider that every metabolic process that occurs in your body depends upon water and that your body composition should be approximately 60-70% water, its not difficult to see how dehydration can affect the function of every cell in your body and consequently diminish your overall level of health.
  2. Try to drink about 2 litres of water per day or to be more specific 0.033 litres per Kg of body weight. i.e. if you weigh 100Kg, drink 3.3 litres every day for optimal hydration. Water is particularly important for the detoxification process and so dehydration often leads to a build up of toxicity in your blood and your colon (toxic bowel).
  3. Try adding a pinch of unprocessed Celtic Sea Salt to your glass of water to increase speed of absorption and thus hydration. The salts help make the water ‘isotonic’ which allows for improved, more efficient absorption due to the process of osmosis. Good quality unprocessed salts which contain numerous important minerals (like calcium, magnesium and sodium) can also help to improve digestion whilst increasing levels of nutrient intake. Natural salts are like the ultimate ‘natural’ multivitamin and can decrease the occurrence of cramp after exertion.
  4. Its important to not only get the quantity of water right but also to try and get the best quality of water too. Tap water is renowned for also containing significant levels of chlorine and flourides which are added to cleanse the water of unwanted bacteria. However, these chemicals are also known to wipe out both the good and the bad bacteria in your digestive system causing the function of your gut and its ability to breakdown and assimilate food to decrease. On top of all that, water supplies are often full of toxic chemicals used in modern farming processes. Drink pure, filtered, bottled mineral water more often than tap water. Also consider a household water filtration system so even the water you shower or bathe in is filtered. Absorption of these toxins through the skin can cause the same problems as drinking it.
  5. Dehydration causes physiological load or in other words contributes toward overall stress levels exerted on the body and all of its sub-systems which rely heavily on the presence of water for optimal function. Stress can also cause further dehydration perpetuating the problems ! Remember that STRESS causes a CATABOLIC STATE in the body and increased levels of Cortisol. This ultimately leads to bone & lean muscle loss and increases body fat storage. So in conclusion, dehydration can also cause you to gain bodyfat.
  6. Chronic dehydration is at the root of many serious diseases including hypertension and other cardiovascular problems, asthma, renal dysfunction, endocrine system imbalance and in particular adrenal fatigue, arthritis, ulcers, digestive issues, lower back pain and constipation.
  7. One glass of pure filtered water (bottled, not tap water) before bed helps you sleep and rest better and helps with the recovery process from exercise or illness. Always have a glass of water on your bedside table at night.
  8. The thirst mechanism can be so weak, it is often mistaken for hunger. So next time you feel peckish, try having a glass of water before you eat anything and see if your hunger pang goes away.
  9. Most headaches and migraines are caused by lack of water and dehydration. Not an aspirin deficiency ! Next time you have a headache try and drink some water. Better yet, avoid headaches caused by dehydration by ensuring you drink enough water every day. Prevention is better than cure.
  10. Dehydration can also cause sub-clinical problems such as poor sleep cycles, fatigue, brain fog, lack of mental clarity, decreased growth and repair, dysfunctional immune and digestive systems
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