More about Water

How to Get & Stay Hydrated:  Drinking enough water is important, but so too is making sure that you can properly absorb and utilize it.  Here are 3 tips to get and stay hydrated:  1) Add salt and lemon to water:  Try adding a small pinch of unrefined sea salt and a squeeze of lemon to your water.  Unlike refined table salt, sea salt contains dozens of minerals, including electrolytes that help you better absorb the water you drink.  Lemon improves taste (meaning you are more likely to drink enough water) and aids digestion.  2) Go easy on the diuretics:  Many of the drinks modern humans enjoy most (e.g. coffee, tea soda, and even fruit juice) are actually diuretics that can cause dehydration.  To help prevent dehydration and start the day off right, place a glass of water with sea salt and lemon in front of your coffee maker or on your night stand to make sure it is the first thing you drink in the morning.  3) Sip water between meals:  Though a small amount of water with meals is fine, too much water can dilute your stomach acid and negatively affect digestion.  The best time to drink most of your water is between meals.  Set a time for 45 minute increments and drink a 6-8oz glass quickly each at each interval.

Resources for further reading:

Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.

Water:  The Ultimate Cure by Steve Meyerowitz

Staying Healthy with Nutrition:  The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine by Elson M. Haas, MD with Buck Levin, PhD, RD