Drink Up

Year Round Hydration During the the short icy days of winter to the long sizzling summer days, your body needs water to maintain its normal temperature.

Staying well-hydrated is important no matter what the weather. Extreme temperatures act more quickly to de-hydrate the body, making it important to drink water-based beverages even though you may not feel like it.

Try to drink eight 8-ounce glasses every day,with increased amounts for added activity. If you spend a good amount of time outside, your my need to increase your intake. Beverages that best meet hydration needs include water, juices, caffeine-free coffee or tea.

Water, with a side of... Bottled water is convenient and that makes it nice for people who have trouble remembering to consume the recommended eight glasses of water they need each day. Bottled waters now contain everything from more flavors and vitamins to more oxygen, which may not be necessary. If you prefer flavored water over plain, check the label for calories per serving and added sugars. If you don’t want to spend extra money on bottled water, try adding fresh lemon, lime or orange slices to enhance the flavor.

Eat Your Water? Water does far more for your body than just satisfy your thirst. Almost every body cell, tissue and organ needs water to function. In fact, water is the nutrient your body needs in the greatest amount. The Dietary Reference Intakes from the Institute of Medicine advise an "Adequate Intake level of 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of total water daily for males ages 19 and over. For females 19 and older, it’s 2.7 liters (91 ounces) daily." While drinks supply a good portion of your water needs, solid foods also provide a surprising amount. For example (number in parentheses is the percentage of water by weight):

Lettuce (95%) Watermelon (91%) Broccoli (89%) Grapefruit (89%) Carrot (88%) Apple (86%) Yogurt (85%) Cooked Rice (70%) Cheddar Cheese (37%)

At IMA we want to assist you in your journey to optimal health. So keep your body functioning normally and avoid dehydration by eating healthfully and by drinking your daily recommended amounts of water.