By: Kededra Patterson
There are a lot of things that can keep you hydrated - why water?
Sports drinks are great for athletes because they replenish some of the sugar the muscles burned and some of the electrolytes or minerals that were released in sweat. However, for most people, sports drinks provide unnecessary (and sometime excessive) amounts of sugar and this can lead to weight gain and increased inflammation.
As humans, we have a sensitive system of physiological controls to maintain fluid levels in the body. This is mediated by the sensation of thirst. When the body is thirsty, you have already been triggered to respond from water deficiency. Some key signs that your body is dehydrated are headaches, dry skin, trouble concentrating, constipation, dizziness, fatigue and muscle cramps.
The lymphatic system is composed of 95% water and when it’s hydrated it is able to move freely and keep muscles feeling soft and spongy. This enables the body to keep its fluids balanced, remove toxins, fight off illness and most importantly, destroy any abnormal cells.
Ready to drink more water?
…try adding fresh squeezed lemon or lime juice!
If you’re taking the plunge and deciding to drink more water, why not enhance the detoxification and hydration process by adding citrus! Mixing both a couple drops of essential oil and juice from the flesh gives you the added benefits of nutrients from the rind. Juice that comes from the flesh contains citric acid, a chelating agent that possess amazing restorative properties to help support the digestive system. Citrus essential oils, such as lemon, lime or grapefruit, are high in d-Limonene, a natural chemical constituent. This constituent, known as a terpene, helps support the function of the liver and kidneys, effectively maintaining overall digestive health and regularity. In essence, citrus juice and essential oil make the process of waste elimination run a lot more smoothly.
We hear a lot about toxins, but what exactly are they?
Anything that our body is unable to digest or get rid of, including natural, biological waste and bacteria from foods we haven’t been able to digest properly, can be considered a toxin. A toxin for one person might not be ‘toxic’ for another - in other words you might find it easy to process other foods while your friend might not!