There are SO MANY nutrients that our bodies need to function properly. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just name a few categories of nutrients that are vital to our health. Ideally, we get nutrients from eating fresh, good quality food. With a well-rounded diet, we normally don’t need to worry about getting enough nutrients into our bodies (depending on your health status). However, the one nutrient that is most often overlooked but is KEY to the function of the whole body is WATER. That’s right, just simple water. This is such an important component of health that we see most people lacking in.
Without enough water in the body, those other important nutrients don’t have solid ground to do their work. Water is needed for most chemical reactions in the body, including building and breaking down cells, making energy, detoxification, etc. When we don’t drink enough water, our bodies start getting more and more sluggish as we slow energy production and cell waste products build up in the system. As the process continues, it can lead to a path of illness.
How much water?
The ideal amount of water intake for the average person is half of your body weight in ounces (120lb = 60oz of water). This number changes when we are losing more water through sweating and drinking caffeine or alcohol (yes, caffeine and alcohol dehydrate you). Although drinking water is such a simple way to support your health, it’s often one of the most difficult things to do. One of the best ways that I’ve found to ensure you’re drinking enough water is to start carrying a water bottle with you wherever you go and to keep in mind how many times you need to drink the whole thing to meet your intake goal. For example, if you need to drink 80oz of water, you can carry a 20oz bottle and finish the bottle twice before lunch and twice after. Because water is so important to the whole body, most holistic practitioners will encourage you to take this step to support your body and prevent illness.
