Seeing as humans are approximately 50-75% water, you would think we would be thirsty for it all the time but for many of us that just isn’t the case. It is essential to consume enough water to support overall vitality and good health and most everyone knows they should drink more water but why then is it so hard for so many people to do just that?
One of the biggest complaints when it comes to trying to drink enough water is, “I just don’t feel thirsty”. Assuming there are no underlying health issues causing this, then most likely the cause is what’s called neural adaptation which is your bodies response to ignoring natural thirst cues. Eventually your body (amazing as it is) adapts thinking you are in an area where water is scarce and minimizes those thirsty cues to conserve energy. Additionally, research has shown that as we age our thirst recognition actually decreases making it even more urgent to stay conscious of water intake.
Another common complaint is “not liking the taste of water” and with the declination of water quality it makes sense that the taste has also suffered. Therefore, always drink filtered water as a way to get the best flavor as well as the healthiest option for your body. Another factor that can affect your infinity towards water is drinking flavored beverages. With the abundance of alternate drink substitutes such as soda, juice, sport drinks, etc, our palates are altered to favor those drinks making water seem tasteless and an undesirable thirst quencher.
So, what are some things you can do drink more water?
- When you’re feeling thirsty drink right away since by the time you’re feeling thirsty your body is already dehydrated.
- Keep a large water bottle (preferably stainless steel or glass) full of filtered water with you at all times.
- To start, set your phone for half hour reminders to drink . To calculate the minimal recommended ounces of water you need per day take your weight and cut it in half and that’s your number (so if you weigh 150lbs, recommended minimum intake would be 75 ounces).
- Make it fun! Get a friend involved and do it together. Having support and accountability is a recipe for success.
- If you want to jazz up the taste of your water you can squeeze in some lemon and add some mint. You can infuse your water with cucumbers or fresh fruit such as oranges or watermelon.
- Eliminate sugary drinks from your diet completely or at least until your taste buds have found it’s natural preference to water.
Once you get your hydration in check you’ll notice your thirst recognition will increase you’ll also probably notice a whole host of other benefits such as increased energy, clearer skin, potential weight loss, better sleep and an overall feeling of improved health!