You probably know you should drink more water but maybe you don't remember exactly why.
Hearing that "your life depends on it" is just vague enough for most of us to be able to ignore it.
So allow me to remind you of some of the relevant ways in which water is the elixir of life and how it is relevant to having a better back:
KEY POINTS ABOUT SPINAL HYDRATION
BENEFITS OF KEEPING HYDRATED
"According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%." (2)
HOW MUCH WATER
This means that if you are an adult female, you should consume approximately 8.8 cups of water, while adult males should consume 12 cups(3).
If you're obese, exercising, pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medications, your water needs are even higher. Hot or humid conditions and altitude also have an effect on the amount of water your require.
Note to the overachievers out there: Don't guzzle gallons of water all at once because you can suffer from water intoxication. I know this for a fact because I've done it.
FIVE WAYS TO UP YOUR HYDRATION GAME
1. Choose a favorite thermos or mug. Sometimes water just tastes better out of a particular vessel. No joke!
2. Herbal teas will not only hydrate you but many of them contain adaptogenic properties which will support your body to be better at doing what it needs to do.
3. Make flavored water by adding lemon/lime/mint/cucumber. Keep a pitcher in the fridge or load up your favorite thermos.
4. Eat water-ful foods such as melon, cucumber, tomatoes, celery.
5. Limit dehydrating foods such as coffee and alcohol
SOURCES
1. http://news.cornell.edu/stories/2017/05/water-forms-spine-hydration-around-dna-group-finds
2. https://water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html
3. http://www.NHS.uk/livewell/goodfood/pages/water-drinks.aspx
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