Sunday, April 8. 2007
Remember when you were a kid, when you were thirsty did your mother tell you to have a glass of water? Well your Mother was right, she knew water is good for you! We have such a wide variety of beverages to chose from these days; flavored sodas, fruit juices, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other drinks. With so much readily available, it's not easy to make the right decision and choose plain, ordinary water. Here are 7 great reasons why you should drink more water.
Do you think you can't get through the day without your morning cup of coffee and caffeine boost? Well water can give you energy as well. Your body is made up mostly of water and it loses it throughout the day. You need to replace it for your body to work efficiently; particularly your heart and digestive tract.
Why not drink diet soda or coffee all day? These drinks contain caffeine, since caffeine is a diuretic it actually causes you to lose water throughout the day. You retain some of the water content of these beverages, but not as much as when you drink pure water. You can try decaffeinated beverages, but the best way to use the water you drink is to get it pure and clean, with no chemicals added.
Water keeps your skin looking great, when your skin looks tired and unhealthy, so do you. Staying properly hydrated removes all the toxins that build up in you skin, and helps prevent it from drying out. If you have the opposite problem; puffy bloated skin, lack of water is likely your problem too. When your skin doesn't get enough water, it retains what it already has, leaving your skin cells full, puffy, and not too attractive. If you want to look beautiful, you need to keep yourself well hydrated.
When you are properly hydrated, your blood is thinner and it's easier for your heart to pump. This means your heart has to do less work and ultimately lasts longer. The good news is, studies have shown that people who drink plenty of water have fewer heart problems.
You have toxins in your cells, some come from the environment and others you produce yourself. Either way, they are in your body and you need to get rid of them. Your body uses water to flush out toxins so, getting rid of this waste helps you function more effectively and feel better.
Fruit juices may contain many nutrients, but they also contain a whole lot of sugar. This is especially true for many bottled juices from the grocery store. This sudden burst of sugar triggers your insulin response and makes you feel tired and sluggish. It also helps to convert that sugar to fats faster. Sugary sodas will produce the same reaction and they usually contain no nutrients at all.
Water is cheap, unless you buy bottled water, which is almost as expensive as soda and juice. However, studies have shown that tap water is usually as clean and safe as bottled water, and costs a whole lot less. If you don't like the taste of your tap water, buy a filter pitcher or one that attaches to the faucet. It will still costs a lot less in the long run.
As mentioned above, water helps your body work better by getting rid of excess waste. The more efficiently your whole body is works, the better you'll feel and the more energy you'll have. Maybe even enough energy to skip that cup of coffee. The next time you get thirsty forget the sugary caffeine drinks, go to the faucet, and help yourself to a nice, cold, refreshing glass of water.
You may have heard that antioxidants are essential to your diet. They not only keep you healthy and functioning properly, they may also help prevent cancer, diseases and help slow down the aging process. So, you have decided that you need more of these wonderful nutrients, and are probably wondering where you can find them? Here is a list of foods and dietary supplements that will help you get all the antioxidants you need to live a happy, healthy life.
A recent study determined that the following foods were amoung the highest in antioxidants:
Apples. We all know apples are good for us, they are an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber that can lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Fresh apples are also a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects your body's cells from damage and helps form the connective tissue collagen. Choose red delicious, granny smith, and gala apples as they have more antioxidants than other varieties.
Red Beans. You've probably heard that beans are good for you, but you may not know that they are one of the best food sources around for antioxidants. Beans that provide the most antioxidants are small red beans, red kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans. Beans are a good, low fat source of protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, thiamin and dietary fiber. Red beans also contain phytonutrients that may help prevent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Berries. Blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, grapes, raspberries, and strawberries are a great source of antioxidants. These super foods are low in calories and fat-free, so you can eat as many as you like without worrying about your weight. Berries are not only a good source of antioxidants, but they are also high in vitamin C.
Nuts. Walnuts and almonds are a tasty ways to get your antioxidants. They are packed with nutrients; protein, fiber, vitamin E, riboflavin, magnesium, iron and calcium. And they're good for your heart. Most of the fat in these nuts is monounsaturated fat — a healthier type of fat that may help lower blood cholesterol levels.
Broccoli. Besides being a good source of calcium, potassium, folate and fiber, broccoli contains phytonutrients, a group of compounds that may help prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamins A and C, antioxidants that protect your body's cells from damage.
Sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoe's deep orange-yellow color means that they're high in the antioxidant beta carotene. Beta carotene may help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of some cancers. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of fiber, vitamins B-6, C, E, folate and potassium. They are fat-free and relatively low in calories.
Ground Cloves. Many of the spices we eat contain antioxidants and phytonutrients and the one at the top of the list is ground cloves. Who would have thought that cloves, a great addition to anything from chicken dishes to cookies, could have health-boosting properties? While it's more difficult to get your daily antioxidants from this spice because we generally use it in small quantities you should still try to incorporate it in your diet.
If you don't regulary eat enough of these foods, you can always get antioxidants from dietary supplements. Just remember to read the labels before you buy; supplements need to come from natural sources, so you'll get the best benefit for your money. The best supplements for antioxidant properties are: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium, carotenes, copper, and zinc.
Instead of buying 6 different individual supplements, you should look for something that contains all these vitamins and minerals in one pill. Not only will you be saving money, some studies indicate that a combination pill is a safer and more effective delivery system for antioxidants.
That's why Watkins Superfood Multiple is a good choice. This nutritional powerhouse contains more than just vitamins and minerals. Watkins has added antioxidants, enzymes, bioflavonoids, greens and whole food concentrates along with optimum potencies of every important vitamin and mineral to keep you feeling and performing at your very best. Superfood Multiple is formulated as the hub of Watkins entire dietary supplement line, it is designed to enhance the benefits of all other Watkins dietary supplements, for your optimum health.
If you feel you need additional antioxidants and phytonutrients take Watkins Fruit/Veggie Complex. Getting your fruits and vegetables couldn't be easier. This supplement contains 41 varieties of fruits and vegetables, all-natural mixed carotenes, vitamin C and potent fruit enzymes equal to ten glasses of juice; all in one convenient bilayer caplet and without any added sugars or sodium.
By taking supplements and/or making diet changes, you can drastically increase your antioxidant intake to improve your health and quality of life.
*The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires the following statement: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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