Remember to drink water regularly

Water has been dubbed the essence of life. With this in mind it is no surprise that the beverage industry turns over trillions of dollars a year. Interestingly and progressively however, the percentage of that turnover actually coming from water is decreasing over time. With the endless choices of soft drinks, juices, energy drinks etc. on offer today it is not difficult to see why this is the case.

Many people today are likely to stick with a coke or other fizzy drink with lunch, and at times go through the whole day without so much as a sip of water. This mind you, in a country were water is freely accessible, does not come at some extreme expense, and hence does not require miles of walking just to fetch it.

Doctors, nutritionists and health professionals alike will agree that drinking water is essential for human health. Being hydrated affects the way we think, feel and function on a daily basis. While we may not always recognise its importance, water is a truly indispensable resource to any human being.

Why ?

Each day alone, we approximately lose 2 to 3 litres through sweating, breathing, bowel movements and urinating. Since the average person is approximately made up of 55 to 65 % water, we need to compensate for the fluid losses. Water helps our bodies regulate temperate, lubricate joints and nourishes the brain and spinal cord.

Most beverages being sold nowadays include gallons of sugar, meaning lots of intake of these drinks can make you thirstier. Apart from the unhealthy drink you are consuming, drinking more of it may even leading to dehydration. This includes low drops of energy, low moods, skin irritation, low blood pressure and cognitive impairment. In fact, a study showed that a dehydrated brain works harder to achieve the same amount as a normal brain.

Advertising and price deals may make it attractive for consumers to buy a beverage. However certain countries like France, Britain and Belgium have put certain taxes on sugars drinks, to promote the health benefit or drinking water as well to put consumers off buying them.

 The impact of Mexico’s tax on sugary drinks showed it cut purchases by more than 5% in the first year, and nearly 10% in 2015, the second year.

The food we eat can also help our water intake. For example fruits like cucumber, lettuce, broccoli, peppers and strawberries are over 90 % water.  The effects of what would happen if we stopped drinking water are explained in an interesting video by AsapScience.

It's easy to forget to remind yourself to drink water, especially if you have a busy day.  However nowadays, there are certain apps that may help you log your water intake or remind you to drink.