Do your body good #DrinkUp

Hey guys,

Been gone for a minute but I’m back. Sorry had to take a minute to hit the reset button and re-evaluate a few things but I’m back. I’m slightly changing the direction of these newer posts to reflect the direction I’d like to go in. One of my previous blogs mentioned the usage of coconut oil and its effects on the body, another post referenced digestive health and the usage of kombucha tea. Today’s post will be an obvious one. One that will really make you think the next time you put a bottle or glass of ANYTHING up to those pouty lips of yours…can you guess what it is ? Here are some hints…

• About 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is  covered in it.
• The United States uses about 346,000 million gallons of  it every day.
• The human body is more than 60% of it our muscles are 75% of it, our bones are about 22%, and last but not least a human can survive for a month or more without eating food, but only a week or so without drinking it…Can you guess what’s so dire to our existence…water !!!

So here some cool reasons to drink water…my fav drink (might I add) not just during the spring and summer months when its hot and your dying of thirst, but year round and ways in which to indulge rather than running to the faucet, water fountain or chugging on the never ending water bottle on your desk or in your cup holder in the car.

Tip 1: If you’re trying to do better with your water intake just think…its mental.

So many people really dislike drinking water. They say its bland, has no taste or just have no desire to drink it…unless they’re working out and become thirsty. Here’s a thought… try putting a straw in your water and sipping it. Drinking through a straw helps you drink larger amounts in a shorter period of time. In addition, according to my colleague Steven (shout out to Steven) drinking any liquid through a straw adds air to your stomach. As you inhale the water through the straw you’re also adding air to your stomach, in doing sipping through a straw can make your stomach feel fuller.

Similar to why straws are at most bars that serve our oh so fav martini’s and cocktails. In addition to being used as stirrers, you can also use your straw to sip sip away. After while you’ll notice that that as you begin to intake more  water via your straw as opposed to putting a glass, bottle or cup directly to your mouth…next thing you’ll know you’ll be slurping that bottle down !

Tip 2: Add a lil ‘sumthin extra’ to help it go down.

I have most recently begun to drink lemon/lime water and I personally absolutely love it. Lemons are loaded with healthy benefits, and particularly, they’re a great vitamin C food source. One cup of fresh lemon juice provides 187 percent of your daily recommended serving of vitamin C — take that, oranges ! Lemon juice also offers up a healthy serving of potassium, magnesium and copper. Here are a few more benefits to drinking lemon water…

• It aids in digestion and detoxification-Because lemon juice’s atomic structure is similar to the digestive juices found in the stomach, it tricks the liver into producing bile, which helps keep food moving through your body and gastrointestinal tract smoothly. Lemon water also helps relieve indigestion or ease an upset stomach.
• Rejuvenates skin and heals the body-The antioxidants found in vitamin C do double duty in lemon water. They fight damage caused by free radicals, keeping your skin looking fresh. Getting enough vitamin C from your lemon water also keeps the body producing collagen, essential in smoothing out lines in the face.
• Warm lemon water serves as the perfect ‘good morning drink’, as it aids the digestive system and makes the process of eliminating the waste products from the body easier. It prevents the problem of constipation and diarrhea, by ensuring smooth bowel functions.
•  The energy a human receives from food comes from the atoms and molecules in your food. A reaction occurs when the positive charged ions from food enter the digestive tract and interact with the negative charged enzymes. Lemon is one of the few foods that contain more negative charged ions, providing your body with more energy when it enters the digestive tract. The scent of lemon also has mood enhancing and energizing properties. The smell of lemon juice can brighten your mood and help clear your mind. Lemon can also help reduce anxiety and depression.
•  Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. Studies have shown people who maintain a more alkaline diet, do in fact lose weight faster.

Tip 3: Psych yourself out with a little bubbly.

In addition to drinking lemon water which is honestly my favorite (shout out to the Bestie for putting me on), I also have incorporated seltzer water to my daily regimen. I too get tired of the ‘same ole same ole’ and I’ve noticed that by drinking carbonated water throughout the day tricks my mind into thinking I’m drinking something else other than plain ole water…probably because of the bubbles.

• Carbon dioxide gas is added to regular water to form Seltzer water without addition of any minerals. Seltzer water is available as either “plain” or “flavored” varieties. The flavored variety contains natural extracts that do not contain any carbohydrates or calories. Seltzer water is also known by the name sparkling water.
• When the seal of a Seltzer water bottle is broken, the carbon dioxide gas is released making the characteristic fizzing sound. Seltzer water is quite popular as it is interesting to drink instead of plain water without the addition of any calories. People drink seltzer water on its own; however, some drink it by adding lime or lemon. Seltzer water is an excellent alternative to other sugary carbonated beverages that provide empty calories. Many types of flavored Seltzer waters are also manufactured these days, which contain natural extracts and have no calories.
• According to a 2002 study published in the “European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.” it was found that drinking carbonated water  vs. drinking non carbonated water aided in constipation. When you’re dealing with constipation, you know to up your intake of foods high in fiber. But getting enough fluids is as important as fiber when it comes to constipation. Fluids, such as carbonated water, help the fiber work better in your gut and make stools normal and regular.

Hope these three tips help as you try to guzzle that water down ! As always, got any health or foodie tips in general..feel free to hit me up. I love getting feedback !

Healthfully yours,

JayTheFoodie<3