Water, nature’s elixir
When you’re bombarded by ads for adaptogens, tonics and green juices galore, it can be easy to forget that life’s most healthful elixir is just a faucet away. Water — that’s right, plain, unadulterated water — is the only drink you truly need. Here are nine great reasons to reach for your favorite reusable water bottle this summer.
1 Water quells stubborn, heat-induced irritability
Beach day-worthy sunshine feels wonderful for a weekend or two, but after one too many scorchers, you may feel especially annoyed outside of air-conditioned comfort. A healthy dose of H2O prevents the fatigue and tension associated with dehydration, according to Stephanie Eggert, a lecturer on holistic health at USC.
2 It’ll help offset those adult beverages
Speaking of irritability, water can ease those incessant post-mojito headaches. It “helps flush toxins out of the body, so it’s good for people who want to do a simple daily cleanse,” Eggert said. Alternate sips of alcohol with sips of water to stay hydrated.
3 Hey, you can eat your water too — try fruits, vegetables
If water does little to excite your palate, here’s good news: You can (and should) eat foods such as leafy greens for hydration just as much as sustenance, according to USC nutrition educator Claudia Del Vecchio. “We should get about 75% of our fluid intake from water or water hydration beverages, and then 25% should come from plant food like fruits and vegetables,” Del Vecchio said.
4 Good news for your muscles: H2O gets the blood pumping
Water is the backstage secret to a successful gun show. It helps your heart pump blood to your muscles, which means they’ll operate more powerfully during a workout. “If you’re exercising, you’re becoming slightly dehydrated, and your motivation can wane because you don’t feel physically good,” Eggert said. Be sure to hydrate before, during and after exercise, because vigorous activity will make you sweat out that water.
5 It keeps your joints from making that dreaded cracking sound
Yoga instructors know that when wrist rotations induce a symphony of cracks and creaks, they have a room full of dehydrated yogis. Drinking water lubricates your joints, which helps them move smoothly and quietly, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
6 Water fends off the urge to overeat at mealtimes
You’ve likely heard the somewhat annoying advice to drink a glass of water if you feel hungry. As it turns out, eating your water can both hydrate and satiate you before a meal. “In terms of having people fill up and feel fuller, it’s a lot better to eat your water for satiety,” Del Vecchio said. “One cucumber is 96% water, so not only are you getting the hydration but you are getting the nutrients.”
7 Ah, such clarity: It keeps your mind sharp and clear
If childhood memories of summer vacation are making you want to leap from your desk and hit the beach, you may want to leap to your water bottle instead. Being dehydrated can cause you to lose focus. Water helps keep our glandular systems balanced, and if we don’t get enough of it, “our clarity is immediately off,” Eggert said.
8 Water can taste exciting: Jazz it up with berries and other summer fruit
If plain water is too boring to bear, try infusing it with your favorite summer produce and herbs. Cucumber, lemon and mint will taste refreshing, while strawberry and kiwi will quash juice cravings.
9 It gives you an excuse to splurge on fashionable water bottles
Having a stylish sipping vessel is just as important as the water itself, right? From stainless steel to silicon, insulated to lightweight, today’s bottles come in an impressive variety of colors and styles.