Do we really need so much water each day? How much is enough, and how much is too much? Is it alright to drink tea, soft drinks, and coffee?
While the answers to these questions vary by practitioner, there is one thing that we all can agree, the body needs an adequate amount of water each day to maintain optimal health.
Some doctors suggest 8 full glasses of water as a minimum; others recommend that you take your body weight (in pounds), and divide this number in 2, then convert to ounces for your recommended intake. For example, if someone weighs 150 pounds, then to divide by 2 will give you 75. A 150 pound person will drink 75 ounces of water per day to maintain optimal health.
While caffeine is tolerated by some on a variable basis, it is still a drug and stimulant, as well as a diuretic. With many potential side effects, including higher stress levels and trouble sleeping, it is not the beverage of choice for everyone.
Most soft drinks will have artificial chemicals in them and normally high sugar concentrations.
Tips to getting more water in during the course of the day:
Add lemon juice
Adding lemon juice helps to vary the taste of water, and though a bit sour, can change things up for the better. On top of which, going vegan with your liquids can help improve health long-term.
Add in fruit slices
Slices of orange, cucumber, or apple can add a refreshing zing to your water. Along with adding in antioxidants, the flavor can be enough to keep your diverse palate satiated. This is a wonderful option for your vegan food plan.
Use it in vegetable broth
A great way to add water into your daily routine is to make a simple vegetable broth. By having soup with a broth, you can get your water intake up significantly.
Make an herbal tea
Drinking an herbal tea, without any caffeine, can have wonderful impacts on health without the side effects. First, it’s possible to get in greater amounts of water for optimal hydration, and the herb that’s added can help boost the immune system. For example, peppermint can help ease congestion, and dandelion can help promote healthy detoxification.
Pure glass of water
Whether you are a non vegan, vegan, vegetarian, or follow a vegan diet, the options above are great starts for beginners. However, in my opinion nothing is better than a glass of good clean water. Whatever you decide your daily quota will be, start your day immediately upon rising with 2-3 clear glasses of water and kick start your day!