Water is essential to any form of life. Without adequate water intake, the human body quickly becomes dehydrated. Severe dehydration can be fatal. Fortunately, there are many available water or fluid sources for the human body.
Plain Water
In most developed countries, plain tap water is safe to drink. It is also cheap, calorie-free, doesn’t affect the flavor of food and has no artificial colors, flavors and additives. Drinking plain water quenches the thirst immediately. In less developed countries, water may need to be boiled or filtered to ensure its cleanliness.
Commercially Manufactured Water
Among the health-conscious and dieters, many types of commercially manufactured water and health drinks are popular. These include mineral water (flavored or non-flavored), soda water, sports water and vitamin water. Some of these are fortified with vitamins and have lower sugar content compared to soft and carbonated drinks. However, do note that many of these also come with artificial colors and flavors.
Other Beverages
Beverages such as fruit juices, soft drinks, carbonated drinks, coffee, tea, milk and even beer all count towards total fluid intake. Although it’s possible to satisfy thirst with almost any kind of beverage, it’s still best to avoid those loaded with lots of sugar, caffeine and artificial colors, flavors and other additives.
Water-rich Foods
About 80% of the body’s fluid intake comes from drinking water and other beverages. The remaining 20% come from food sources. Those wishing to lose weight by drinking water should focus their attention on water-rich foods instead.
The Science Daily reported that Dr. Barbara Rolls, a Penn State researcher, and her team have found that eating water-rich foods can lower calorie intake. The researchers’ study shows that eating foods with high water content – pasta dishes with additional vegetables, smoothies, soups, stews, fruits and vegetables – can reduce calorie intake while allowing the stomach to feel full and satisfied longer.
Many fruits and vegetables contain up to 90% of water while meats and cheeses contain at least 50%. According to the American Dietetic Association, fruits and vegetables with more than 85% of water content include lettuce, water melon, broccoli, orange, apple, grapefruit and carrots. So munch more on these as well to increase the body’s water intake.
While plain water should be the beverage of choice, it is alright to stay hydrated with other fluid sources. These include commercially manufactured water and health drinks; beverages like fruit juices, soft drinks, coffee and tea as well as water-rich foods like soups, fruits and vegetables.
Those who find this article useful may also like to read Health Benefits of Water, How to Drink more Water and How much Water should be Drunk.
References:
WebMD Medical Reference Website – The Wonders of Water
Saxelby, Catherine. “H2O Whoa!” in Fitness First. New South Wales: Active Media Group, January/February 2009.
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