Elixir of life

Elixir of life
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We all have heard of the 8 x 8 ratio when it comes to water. It is necessary to drink at least eight glasses of water per day in order to keep the body well hydrated. But water is often the last think one remembers during the winter months. With the chilly weather, we thirst for water less. Winters usually accelerate dehydration.

Water is a key component that supports our physical function and boosts our sense of freshness and vitality all year round, especially in winter

We all have heard of the 8 x 8 ratio when it comes to water. It is necessary to drink at least eight glasses of water per day in order to keep the body well hydrated.
But water is often the last think one remembers during the winter months. With the chilly weather, we thirst for water less. Winters usually accelerate dehydration.
However, the body still needs to remain sufficiently hydrated irrespective of the weather conditions!
Drink warm water: We often avoid drinking water altogether in winters because it makes us feel cold. Lukewarm water is an easy solution, which will help soothe the throat, give warmth to the body and replenish it with water.
Small steps, small sips: Always keep a bottle of water on the table or nearby and take small sips often. Drinking a glass or two seems like a big task, but breaking it down to small sips every 15 minutes is easier and helpful.
Green tea: Winters undoubtedly lure us to drink more tea and coffee. However, a better non-caffeinated alternative is to replace some of the teas and coffees with green tea. This will aide in achieving the required daily water intake as well as help in weight loss.
The spicy food trick: Trick yourself into drinking more water by adding extra chili to meals. That will spice up the dish and also force you to reach out for a glass of water often!
Flavoured water: Sometimes, water just seems too plain and boring to drink. Make it fun by adding a touch of fruity flavour with fresh or frozen berries, watermelon, cucumber or even cinnamon sticks! Toss in herbs like rosemary or mint leaves for a real holiday slurp.
“Eating” water: There are several fruits and vegetables that are high in water content. Snacking on water-based foods or “eating” water also has the added benefit of providing the body with much needed nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins. Tomatoes, bell peppers, citrus fruits, pears, pomegranates and winter squash make for a tasty, hydrating treat.
Cut down sodium: Sodium retains water, thus trapping it and making it inaccessible to the rest of the body. Sodium is available not just in table salt but also in other processed food items such as fast foods. A spoonful of table salt in a home-cooked meal is less than 100 mgs of sodium, while an 8-ounce bag of potato chips can carry more than 1,000 mgs of sodium! Avoiding processed foods that are rich in sodium, limits the dehydrating impact of sodium.
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