You are what you eat is one of the most popular catchphrases in the health and wellness world. We’ve been hearing it for years from doctors, nutritionists, wellness gurus, and nearly every health enthusiast and food aficionado with a platform to voice their opinion.
The adage expresses the idea that our mental and physical health and overall well-being are inextricably linked to our diet. If we agree this to be true – and there’s an abundance of scientific and anecdotal evidence in this respect – we can also say that, by extension, you are what you drink, especially since the human body is up to 60% water. The type, quantity, and quality of the liquids you consume have a direct effect on how you feel and function.
Unfortunately, when it comes to healthy living, most people only focus on what they put on their plates and tend to ignore what they pour into their glasses and cups. So, in this article, we’re going to put the spotlight on fluids and the way they impact our lives.
The body’s complex relationship with water
You’ve probably heard that an adult should drink six to eight glasses of water per day, amounting to approximately two liters or 84 fluid ounces. The exact quantity varies based on a range of factors, including age, sex, weight, environment, physical activity, and general health. However, beyond these general recommendations, most people don’t know why water intake is so important.
The fact that our bodies are composed of 60% water and our blood is 90% water should provide a clue in this regard. The water you drink gets absorbed by the intestines and from there it travels to cells across the body, playing a key role in numerous biological processes such as digestion, circulation, nutrient transportation and absorption, flushing out waste and toxins, and regulating body temperature.
Adequate water consumption has been demonstrated to improve physical performance, boost energy levels and brain function, improve mood, prevent dehydration and certain health issues, lubricate and protect soft tissues, and promote collagen production, among other things.
However, it’s worth noting that not all water is created equal. The quality of the water you drink is just as important as the quantity. It’s therefore important to know where your water comes from, so you can stay safe and healthy.
Nowadays, modern technology makes it easier to ensure you’re drinking the healthiest water possible. If you’re exploring options beyond standard filtered water, consider hydrogen-rich water. It offers potential benefits like reducing oxidative stress, improving physical endurance, and even boosting cognitive function. Ocemida (ocemida.com) is a leading provider of hydrogen water solutions.
Common liquids people consume and how they impact our health
While water is crucial for maintaining optimum health and it should be the drink of choice for everyone, it’s not the only liquid people consume. According to statistics, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after water, and coffee is another popular choice. Studies suggest that as long as you consume them plain, without adding sugar, honey, and other sweeteners, they can be good for your health.
Then we have unsweetened fruit juices, both fresh and bottled, which are also a highly popular drink worldwide. However, doctors warn not to exceed one glass per day as fruit juices and smoothies contain high levels of sugar.
Fruit juices with added sugar are the exact opposite of a healthy drink, being a major contributing factor to weight gain and associated health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Soft drinks are even worse as they’re packed full of calories and deliver no nutrients. Instead, research indicates that these drinks are linked to all sorts of medical issues like obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and a higher risk of cancer.
There’s also a special category of drinks that needs to be mentioned which includes sports drinks and energy drinks. Sport drinks also known as electrolyte drinks are generally used by athletes to help them boost their performances as they contain a series of beneficial nutrients. On the other hand, energy drinks are basically a mixture of caffeine and other ingredients such as taurine, L-carnitine, guarana, and ginseng which are meant to give you an energy boost but can be quite problematic when consumed in large quantities.
Ultimately, it’s important to pay attention to what you put in your body, food and liquid, and try your best to build and maintain healthy habits if you want to improve the quality of your life.
