Water, the nectar of life. You could live for more than a week without food, if you had water to drink. Did you know that your muscle tissue is 75% water? And according to my old textbook Guyton and Hall’s Textbook of Medical Physiology, our body composition is made up of 60% water. Every system inside of our body uses water for proper function. Water helps to flush toxins from your organs, transport nutrients to your cells and provides moisture to the delicate tissues of our eyes, ears, nose and throat. So, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out just how important water is to the human body.
How much should you drink per day? There are all sorts of gimmicky water consumption rules. The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate water intake for men is 13 cups and for women it is 9 cups of total beverages. You have to realize if you are eating veggies and fruits, this would be included in your consumption. Properly hydrating your body has so many health benefits. I researched several studies on PubMed that indicate a reduction of colorectal cancer (45%), bladder cancer (50%) and possible breast cancer reduction, just from drinking adequate amounts of good ole H20. For my athletes, dehydration causes weakness, fatigue, electrolyte imbalance and dizziness. Sometimes when you are hungry, you are really thirsty. Drinking more water can promote weight loss by causing an appetite suppressant effect. Water consumption also helps the joints by hydrating the cartilage to keep it soft. Get in the habit of having water with you. In order to do that, you must select an appropriate vessel.
One Degree of Change #12: Find & use a favorite reusable H20 bottle.
So I have talked to you about saving the planet from all those water bottles. You know how to filter your own water. Now that you are reminded of the importance of water, it is time to select the reusable bottle that works for you. I have done all the research and have selected the top 3 bottles; glass, stainless steel and plastic.
bkr – The bkr is a glass bottle; it comes in either 16 ounces or 32 ounces. The upside of glass is that it leaches nothing into the liquid, so whether it’s water, juice, nut milk or wine, your beverage will taste exactly like it’s supposed to. The downside of glass bottles, of course, is that they could break. However, the bkr is protected with a full-body sleeve made of silicone that also provides a good non-stick grip for the bottle. If you’re a fashionista or you just like variety, buy one bottle but a few different sleeves, which come in a variety of colors.
Kleen Kanteen – These insulated stainless steel bottles and to-go mugs keep contents hot up to 6 hours and cold a lot longer. They have nice wide mouths and you can order tops with straw attachments and sippy-cup tops for kids. You’ll love the colors and fun designs, too.
Square Clean Bottle – If you have to buy a plastic water bottle, this might be the one to consider. Though it claims to be BPA-free, what I really like about it is that it unscrews on the bottom as well as the top, so it’s easy to wash out (hence the name Clean bottle). And you can get an infuser or a filter module to use with the bottle.
I like different things about all three. They are listed above in order of my favorites. It is up to you to decide. Start bringing your own. Do you have a favorite bottle you use already? Leave a comment to share your favorite!
Dr. B’s tips to be Clean and Green in 2015 :
- Drink approximately 9 cups a day for women and 13 cups for men.
- Carry a bottle everywhere with you as a reminder to keep drinking.
- Eat raw fruits and vegetables – they are dense in water. You can get water from food, not just from beverages.
- Drink water and other fluids until your urine is frequent and almost colorless.
It’s a new day on your journey, make your One Degree of Change to go to a new destination of wellness! Your body and planet will thank you!
