importance of hydration |

Inadequate hydration can cause fatigue, and this ultimately affects your productivity levels, which is why it is so important to make sure that you drink enough water during the day. I know that there are so many people that do not like the taste of water… So here is a great tip I was given by my dietician – Add some lemon/orange slices or mint to carbonated/sparkling water… It tricks your brain into thinking it is drinking something other than water. Weird but true!

This is where owning a SodaStream comes in handy… And I just love mine… we often use it to make cocktails or sparkling water! With just a quick press of a button, you can turn normal tap water into sparkling water. It is just the best invention ever! And SodaStreams have changed so much from when I bought mine, they are now so stylish and come in a range of colours to suit everyone’s kitchen!

Good reasons to stay hydrated :

Enhancing mental clarity – A loss of just 2% in body water can cause short term memory loss and difficulty in concentration. Good hydration helps you stay mentally alert all day long.
Improving digestion – A digestive system without enough fluid will become constipated. Fluid is essential for nutrients to pass through the membranes of the intestines.
Softening skin texture – Proper hydration makes it possible for water to move through all the membranes so that the largest organ in your body, your skin, is soft and pliable. The aging process is slowed. Wrinkles are less pronounced. Baggy skin tightens.

Busting some hydration myths :

Everyone should drink 8 glasses of water a day – Although it’s a nice reminder that most of us should aim to drink more, the truth is that not everyone requires 8 glasses of water a day to maintain adequate hydration. The amount of fluids that each person needs varies based on activity level, gender and body size. Other sources of fluids that contribute to hydration include carbonated drinks, juice, milk, coffee, tea, fruits, vegetables and other foods with higher water content.
Only water really hydrates you – This is not true. Many beverages with high water content contribute to the body’s hydration status, including carbonated soft drinks, juices, tea and even coffee to a certain extent. In addition, 20% of your hydration regularly comes from the food you eat.
Thirst is a good indicator and my body’s main signal that I need to drink – Many people can use thirstiness as an indicator to rehydrate, but that may not always be reliable. As many of us know, thirst signals are easily ignored when it’s inconvenient to drink, and we do this regularly, so it’s tough to rely on thirst as a signal to drink. In addition, physical activity, high temperatures, stress and fatigue may increase water loss making it necessary to consume more than you usually need.