Water. It makes up 90% of our planet. It makes of 70% of our bodies. It fuels us and our planet. So why is there still conversation about dehydration? Why is there still confusion on how much water to get, what kind, and the detrimental effects of the lack of proper hydration? Why is this so hard?!

To tell the truth, there is a lot of confusion about hydration and about how to obtain it properly due to SO MANY different research studies done on this subject. It can be a bit overwhelming! So to help you keep things straight, here are the water tips from SCD to help you feel healthy and hydrated all summer long!

Drink water — no substitutes!

Although we can argue that juices and sodas are “technically” liquids, they are in no way comparable to water. Water is what fuels our digestive system, our immune system, and yes, our liver, kidney and (most of all) our bladder systems. Our cells crave water- pure, clean, not flavored or carbonated water. Filling your body with sugary drinks can actually dehydrate you. And before you say it — “but I drink diet soda”- just know that the sodium in those devilishly deceptive drinks actually dehydrate your body even more. If you want to feel good and chipper, not sluggish and tired, drink W-A-T-E-R.

Research indicates that you should follow the 8 x 8 rule for water; you need 8, 8-ounce glasses of water per day. That sounds like a lot — but think about your daily intake of juice, soda, or coffee. Yeah, you can trade those out for water, too!

Know what’s in your water!

It can be bottled, bagged, frozen, jugged, tubbed, pooled, or simply falling off a rock. Water is versatile.  And knowing what kind of water to drink can be worrisome, especially for those of us that are concerned with more than just hydration. Tap water has always been a confusing topic for most people (especially parents). So to clear it up: no, tap water won’t kill you. And yes, the chlorine and other small trace amounts of chemicals can help kill bad bacteria in your mouth and stomach. However… it can also kill the good bacteria in your mouth and gut, making you more susceptible to things like viruses, digestive problems, and stomach illnesses.

Overall, we suggest filtered water – whether you buy it at the store or you filter it in your house- simply for the sake of your microbiome (with in-house filtering being the preferred choice due to our love of the planet and hatred of plastic water bottles). If tap water is your most efficient and cost-effective choice, by all means continue, but maybe supplement those bacteria-killing chemicals with a probiotic supplement so as to keep your microbiome balanced.

 

So in conclusion: Follow the 8×8 rule and choose either tap or filtered water as your source, supplementing any intake of chemicals with a probiotic solution! If you adhere to these tips, you will feel and look much better all summer long!

 

For more information about our probiotic supplement, visit http://www.essentialprobiotics.com/.