ARE YOUR BEVERAGE CHOICES LENDING TO DEHYDRATION?

We all know that we can't survive long without it but how much water do we really need to take in in a day and won't any fluid do?

Supplying our bodies with adequate amounts of fluid is important and although It's true that alot of beverages (coffee, tea, soda, alcohol) contain significant amounts of water, they also contain other ingredients that have a duretic effect and can contribute to dehydration. Coffee, for example, can cause us to excreet more water then it is actually giving us ; so although you may be taking in fluids, you may not be properly hydrating yourself.

So to ward off dehydration and it's side effects, it is best to provide our body with an adequate amount of good quality drinking water. Good quality drinking water should be free of germs, chlorine, flouride and undesireable chemicals; using a water purifier or water filtration system will greatly reduce your exposure to unwanted and unhealthy contaminants. There are a number of available choices to choose from (check out some here and here), legally anything called a "purifier" must remove 99.75% of incoming bacteria... talk to a supplier or do your own research to choose the model that best suits your needs and budget. If you choose, instead, to purchase bottled water just keep our amazing planet in mind and purchase bulk jugs that you can easily dispense into your own reusable container.

A general guideline to ensure that we are properly hydrated is to consume eight eight ounce glasses of good quality drinking water per day. Some studies indicate that the requirements are even higher then this but they aren't too far off the "8 by 8" and this seems to be an easy reminder for people. Of course this guideline is unique to each individual person; some people may require more and some a little less. Factors that affect your daily intake amount include: your age, your size, your activity level, the climate and your typical dietary choices.

There is a simple method to determine if your water intake needs to be adjusted..."the pee test"... pay attention to your urine color and use the simple chart below to guide your intake needs and pay attention to the signs of dehydration.