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By Flow Water

The Wrong Way to Drink Water

This post originally appeared in SoFreshMag.com.

Drinking water seems like a simple task but many of us get into horrible hydration habits that inhibit our abilities to detoxify, metabolize and function at our very best. Here are the top hydration no-nos. 

When

YOU DRINK WATER ONLY WHEN YOU ARE THIRSTY

It is far easier (and healthier) to maintain hydration rather than achieve it once you are dehydrated. By the time your body is begging for water, you have reached a level of dehydration that can cause havoc on your digestive system and your body’s capacity to detoxify. 

SOLUTION: Drink water regularly throughout the day. When you finish your glass of water or when you return from the bathroom, fill up another dose and keep from becoming dehydrated. 

YOU DRINK WATER DURING MEALS

Most of us have been encouraged to have a beverage when we are eating. Whether wine, water or another drink of your choice, liquids with your meal isn’t recommended. Drinking anything while eating can actually offset the vital enzymes in your stomach that are created to digest your meal. 

SOLUTION: Drink water before and after your meal but focus on your food when you sit down at the table to eat. 

YOU DRINK WATER TO SOOTH YOUR TASTE BUDS AFTER EATING SOMETHING SPICY

Many of us love testing the intensity of some very spicy flavours. They can be beneficial to your circulatory system, improve immunity and increase your metabolism. However, when you hit a pepper that you can’t handle, your lips burn and your face reddens, don’t grab water. The only thing that water will do is spread the heat across your mouth making the experience even worse. 

SOLUTION: The best remedies for overwhelming spice include eating a cucumber, sucking on an ice cube or even drinking a glass of cold milk. 

How

YOU CONSISTENTLY DRINK WATER THAT IS THE SAME TEMPERATURE 

Warm water each morning can help to ease your metabolism into gear, add a splash of lemon and you will truly help your body to detox but consistently drinking only warm water doesn’t give your body much to work with. Drinking only cold water is the same. 

SOLUTION: By alternating between varying temperatures we allow our bodies to work a little harder as they adjust the temperature for easy digestion. 

What

YOU DRINK SODA INSTEAD OF WATER

Whether you are drinking regular or diet sodas, your body needs to work hard to rid yourself of chemicals and excess sugar instead of metabolizing vital nutrients and minerals. Soda is not a form of hydration. It is junk food and should be seen as such. 

SOLUTION: Skip the soda and if you are craving something bubbly try club soda with lime or another fruity addition. 

YOU DRINK JUICE INSTEAD OF WATER

Juice isn’t actually much better than soda. Packaged juices contain as much sugar as sodas and are packed with useless calories. Aside from the occasional vitamin boost from freshly expelled fruits and vegetables it should never replace a glass of water. 

SOLUTION: Avoid juices and hydrate with water infused with watermelon or herbs. 

YOU ALWAYS DRINK BOTTLED WATER

Bottled water is just fine when you are on the run. But aside from the amazing amount of waste that it produces you also have the added risk of increasing your toxic load from the plastic. Rather than consistently purchasing plastic bottles you should carry your own bottle and refill it as often as possible. 

SOLUTION: Avoid plastic bottles whenever possible.

 

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