Get Energized with Pure Water!

Hints for getting your daily intake of pure water

Aim to drink at least 1 8oz cup of pure water every hour you are awake. Keep pure water always in sight-in your office, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, take it with you on planes, in hotel rooms etc. And, discover ways in which you enjoy to drink water. Add variety to your water regime: try herbal teas and sparkling waters (can be flavored but not sweetened e.g. Perrier), drink your water at different temperatures; add sliced fruit for flavor. Making the process enjoyable ensures that it will become a lifelong habit.

How much pure water do you need?

To stay hydrated, you need to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of pure water ( spread out over the day). Therefore, if you weigh 150 pounds, you need at least 75 ounces of pure water a day. Remember, you cannot drink too much pure water-the more the better.

How do you know if you are hydrated?

Your urine should be almost clear once every 24 hours. Remember: Thirst is not a good guide-by the time you experience thirst, you are already 2-3% dehydrated, which means your energy is depleted by 20-30%.

What counts towards your pure water intake?

The following sources of pure water count towards your daily quota:

Distilled water is the best choice. It is rated purest and cleanest by National Science Foundation, containing the least parts-per-million contaminants. You can find distilled water at any supermarket, and it is usually the least expensive. Popular brands include Arrowhead Mills, and Glaceau Smart Water (which comes in plain and flavored). A home distiller is also a great option.

Reverse osmosis filtered water is rated second purest by National Science Foundation). There are numerous high quality reverse osmosis filtration systems which can be installed in your home.

Spring water is water bottled from a natural spring source. The majority of bottled water is spring water. Be careful of your sources. Stay with known brands of bottled spring water to ensure you are receiving high quality sources.

Sparkling water is a great way to add variety to your water intake and is the perfect accompaniment to a meal. It can be flavored but not sweetened. Check the nutrition facts label on the bottle. The carbohydrate content should be zero. Also check the ingredients: look for artificial sweeteners such as ace-sulfame-K, sucralose, Nutrisweet, or saccharin). Examples of sparkling waters include: Perrier, San Pelligrino, and Arrowhead Mills.

What about tea and coffee?

Herbal decaffeinated teas and coffee made with pure water count towards your daily pure water intake. Green tea is a great alternative to coffee. It is rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants and is a natural energizer. Any decaffeinated tea is acceptable. Decaffeinated coffee made with pure water is acceptable in small amounts. It contains tannic acid which increases the overall acidity of your body, so is best limited to 2-3 cups per day.

What about tap water?

It is best to avoid tap water, because most North American water supplies contain a myriad of toxins including: anti-biotics, hormones, chlorine, heavy metals, and pesticides. Test all well water. A high quality filtration or distillation system is recommended for all tap/well water.

What does not count towards your pure water intake?

Coffee and anything caffeinated: is a dehydrator and stimulates liver to release glycogen into blood stream raising blood sugar and insulin levels. (Limit to one cup per day)

Alcohol is a neurotoxin (toxin that beats up your brain), depressant, and dehydrator.

Fruit juice, even freshly squeezed, is very high in sugar (fructose), which raises blood sugar and insulin levels, and is a major dehydrator. Just check your nutrition facts labels. The grams of carbohydrates = grams of sugar.

Sodas (including diet sodas) are comprised of sugar, caffeine, and/or artificial sweeteners. They raise your blood sugar and insulin levels and are dehydrating. Sodas containing artificial sweeteners accelerate brain aging and contribute to disease.

Commercial Sports Drinks (Gatorade etc) are very high in sugar (check the nutrition facts), and very dehydrating.