- Image by Barefoot Photographers of Tilonia via Flickr
Many people learn in the early years of school that the human body is mostly water. It’s one of those easily recalled facts, perhaps because it’s so interestingly odd to consider.
After all, we have all seen water and we are really nothing like it. We can’t swim in a pool of other people, we can’t drink other people and it certainly wouldn’t make anyone cleaner to take a bath in another person.
Yet we are mostly water, and thus, require relatively great amounts of it to function properly. It’s long been known that a leading cause of illness in the wintertime is due to people not taking the proper steps to stay hydrated. Especially in winter, as people are less likely to get hot and sweaty, the perceived need to drink water may be diminished. In fact, however, the very real need to drink water is as significant as ever.
It’s also important to consider what liquid to consume when trying to hydrate. Many people reach for something warm, like coffee or hot chocolate in the cold season but those drinks are not effective at keeping the body hydrated. Ingredients like caffeine and sugar actually work against the body when it comes to hydration.
That’s why it’s important to grab a glass of water, or even Gator-aid several times throughout the day. The generally accepted standard is eight glasses of water a day at around 8 ounces per glass. While that isn’t a great deal of water, it is far more than the average person drinks daily.
And water helps with every essential function in the body. From minimizing aches and pains, to supporting the immune system to preventing infection water is a preventative tool which is highly proficient at assisting with numerous ailments, if taken regularly.
So, in between mugs of eggnog and especially alternating with alcoholic drinks make sure to drink plenty of water this winter season.
