Effective Ways to Drink Water

You might think you know all there is to know about drinking water and that this information is useless. However, here are 12 things you might not know about drinking water that might help you.

1. How Much Water Is Enough?

The recommended minimum daily amount is 64 ounces. If you’re sick, you’ll need more especially with diarrhea or vomiting. If you’re exercising or outside in the heat, focus on getting a little extra, too.

Your body needs water to aid with digestion and to prevent constipation. Water also flushes out toxins, stops kidney stones from forming, and hydrates your skin.

If you just can't get the recommended amount of water, here is a great tip. Eat spicy foods. That will force you to drink more water.

2. Don’t Drink Too Much Water

Drinking too much water can dilute the salt in your blood. If so, you will become sick with hyponatremia. Don't drink too much water if you have certain health issues or take drugs that cause you to retain water, like NSAIDs, opiates, antidepressants, or others. You will know you are drinking the right amount if your urine is just a hint of yellow.

3. Space Drinking Water Throughout the Day

Instead of trying to drink several glasses of water at once, sip it slowly throughout the day. Experts recommend not to drink more than 1 liter an hour. If you drink a lot of water before going to bed, you will have to take several trips to the bathroom during the night.

4. When to Drink Cold and When to Drink Warm Water

Drink cold water to cool down and hydrate when you are hot. Drink warm water if you have a cold. It will help thin mucus and make you feel better.

5. Use BPA-Free Water Bottles

Make sure you drink water from BPA-free bottles or those made out of glass or stainless steel. BPA stands for the chemical bisphenol-A that could get into your water when you drink it from a bottle. Too much of the chemical could cause health issues including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, hormonal imbalance, and Type 2 diabetes.

6. Take Your Water With You

Always keep water with you. That way whenever you are thirsty, you will have water available when you are out and about. To keep your water cold, put it in a stainless steel bottle and add some ice or use freezer-safe bottles.

7. Drink a Full Glass of Water With Pills

Always drink a full glass of water to wash down pills. Drinking a full glass of water keeps medicine from getting stuck in your esophagus. A full glass of water also helps your body absorb pills much better.

8. Drink Water Sparingly With Alcohol and Coffee

You should not drink an excessive amount of water with alcohol. That's because alcoholic drinks are diuretics that will cause you to release water from your body. Drinking a lot of water with alcohol will cause you to become dehydrated. To avoid this, drink only one glass of water with every alcoholic drink or cup of coffee.

9. Add Sliced Fruit or Veggies

If you get bored with drinking plain water, there are ways to make your water tastier and more refreshing. Simply add sliced fruit and vegetables. Lemons have antioxidants and potassium to help keep your cells healthy, and citric acid to help with digestion and prevent kidney stones. Make sure to wash the fruits and veggies thoroughly to avoid getting salmonella and E.coli.

10. Eat Your Water

Drinking water isn't the only way to stay hydrated. You typically get about 20% t0 30 % of your water each day from foods. You can get even more if you eat certain foods. Foods that contain a lot of water include carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, grapefruit, iceberg lettuce, oatmeal, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon, yogurt, and zucchini.

There are benefits to taking in water through food. You absorb it more slowly and get the nutrients you need along the way.

11. Water Makes You Glow and Eliminate Pain

Water can make you glow. It is known to cure dry, itchy skin as well as increase the skin's overall elasticity.

Dehydration causes headaches and back pains. Drinking your recommended daily amount of water could drastically reduce pains in your body. Water can also help lubricate joints and eliminate arthritis pain and stiffness.

12. Water Helps With Weight Loss

Drinking water can help you lose weight. It will cause you to eat less because it is a natural appetite suppressant. In one study, people ate about 85 fewer calories when they drank 16 ounces of water about a half-hour before each meal. Over 12 weeks, they lost 5 pounds. If you want to lose weight, develop the habit of drinking water before eating.

Extra water can speed up your metabolism, and it takes up space in your stomach so you feel fuller. Drinking water keeps you from drinking sugary drinks, juices, and sodas. If you are having a hard time losing weight, try drinking water before each meal.