Why does drinking water matter so much?

Why are we always being told to drink so much water?  Do we really need to or is it a bottled water companies marketing dream?  I think a bit of both really!  
But there are some very good, often not considered reasons for making sure you drink enough water.

• Water ensures we remain energized: Suboptimal hydration slows the activity of enzymes, including those responsible for producing energy, leading to feelings of fatigue. Even a slight reduction in hydration can lower metabolism and reduce your ability to exercise efficiently.  If we are not drinking around 25-35ml per kg of body weight daily this dehydrates our cells and we cannot then produce enough energy at a cellular level. 

• Water is important for proper detoxification: Water helps our body to flush out residual toxins created from our own metabolic waste, as well as toxic chemicals, pollution, cleaning products, skin care/hair products, foods, alcohol, medications etc.   Without essential water it puts further pressure on our detoxification pathways – liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, digestive system and skin which can lead to further complications and increased sluggishness.

• Water is also crucial for our Digestion: Our bodies produce an average of 7 liters of digestive juices daily. When we don’t drink enough liquid, our secretions are more limited and the digestive process is inhibited.   Not enough water can also cause problems with regularity and lead to constipation.

• Important for healthy blood pressure:  A lack of fluids can also contribute to high blood pressure.  When we are chronically dehydrated, our blood becomes thicker and more viscous. In response to this reduced overall blood volume, the blood vessels contract and the body must work harder to push blood through the veins, resulting in elevated blood pressure.

So some pretty important reasons to remain hydrated.  If you are bored with plain old water add a squirt of lemon juice or some leaves of peppermint or lemon balm from the garden.  

Herbal Infusions and Fruit Infusions are another way to get water into you, as they don't contain caffeine and can be good for those who struggle with lots of plain water.    You can chill them
down and sip cold through out the day if you prefer.

Soft drinks, diet or not, will deplete you and do not count as fluid intake!

How much should you drink?
We're often told 6-8 glasses of water a day and this is a relatively good guideline. But it depends on each person - if you eat a lot of fruit and veges then you will be getting more water from them than someone who doesn't.

Also if you drink a lot of caffeine, salty processed foods, are stressed or exercise a lot then you will need to drink more fluids to make up for the extra that is lost.