by Fern Shaw | Jan 30, 2013 | Health and Hydration
Water makes up almost sixty six percent of the human body and seventy percent of the brain. (Can’t drink this).
At birth, water accounts for approximately 80 percent of an infant’s body weight.
One ear of corn is 80 percent water. (Can’t drink this either).
75 percent of a living tree is water. (Nope.)
75 percent of a chicken is water. (You get the general idea …)
80 percent of a pineapple is water.
95 percent of a tomato is water.
Water usage in the U.K. is around 3.6 billion litres per day which is 151 litres per property. That’s about 150 litres per day per person.
The total amount of water on the earth is about 1.36 billion cubic kilometres of water.
Scientists estimate groundwater accounts for more than 95 percent of all fresh water available for use.
Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, O degrees Celsius.
Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, 100 degrees Celsius.
Water is unusual in that the solid form, ice, is less dense than the liquid form, which is why ice floats.
Water regulates the earth’s temperature.
So much water and only an infinitesimal percentage of the Earth’s water is available for human consumption. Perhaps a good idea to start this New Year with achievable resolutions and ones that won’t just make you feel good, but can help other 70 to 80 percent humanoid beings too.
by Fern Shaw | Jan 30, 2013 | Health and Hydration
Even if you’re making an attempt to stay hydrated, you may be unknowingly consuming foods and drinks that dehydrate you. Certain ingredients can increase urination, cause fluid imbalance, and make you feel thirsty more often. Understanding how these substances impact your hydration status is key to maintaining optimal health.
Sodium is a Big Culprit
Eating too much salt can disrupt your electrolyte balance, leading to fluid retention and eventual dehydration. When you eat salty snacks, your body signals thirst in an effort to maintain proper hydration status. Some common high-sodium foods include:
- Fast foods
- Potato crisps
- Tinned foods
- Cured meats
- Condiments like tomato sauce (ketchup), mustard, and salad dressing
To prevent dehydration, try balancing your sodium intake by eating water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges.
Sugary Drinks Also Contribute
Much like salty foods, beverages with excessive sugar can also cause dehydration. Drinks such as energy drinks, sodas, and overly sweetened coffees lead to fluid loss, making it harder for your body to stay properly hydrated.
Many of these drinks contain caffeine, a diuretic that increases urination, further depleting fluids. Instead of relying on sugary drinks, consider healthier alternatives like coconut water, which replenishes lost electrolytes and supports hydration.
Foods to Help Your Body Stay Hydrated
Instead of consuming foods and beverages that contribute to dehydration, opt for hydrating foods and nutrient-dense options that help your body retain moisture.
Blueberries
Yielding antioxidants, vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties, a handful of these berries daily in season can do wonders.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish with omega-3s include salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel. Make sure that you only buy fish off the endangered list.
Soy
This does not mean using enough soy sauce to turn your sushi rice into another colour. Soy sauce has a high sodium content. Clean and simple soy is recommended. Soy in this category includes tofu, soy milk, and edamame. Edamame, for the curious, is green soybeans boiled or steamed in their pods and it’s very trendy to be seen eating edamame.
Fibre
Some great options for getting more fibre in your body are:
- Beans. Think three-bean salad, bean burritos, chilli, soup.
- Whole grains. That means whole-wheat bread,and pasta.
- Brown rice. White rice doesn’t offer much fibre.
- Popcorn. It’s a great source of fibre.
- Nuts. Almonds, pecans, and walnuts have more fibre than other nuts.
- Baked potato with skin. It’s the skin that’s important here.
- Berries. All those seeds, plus the skin, give great fibre to any berry.
- Bran cereal. Actually, any cereal that has 5 grams of fibre or more in a serving counts as high fibre.
- Oatmeal. Whether its microwaved or stove-cooked, oatmeal is good fibre.
- Vegetables. The crunchier, the better.
Drinks to Help Prevent Dehydration
Instead of sugary, dehydrating drinks, try these alternatives to avoid dehydration:
Tea
The antioxidant powers of tea are present in both black and green tea. Try these tips on switching from fizzy drinks to water for the added effect of consuming more tea while you’re drinking less fizz.
Calcium-rich Foods
Many health-conscious men and women tend to stay away from dairy products for fear that they contain fat, but calcium is necessary for the body. If you’re scared of the cheese and milk, take a calcium supplement.
A good rule of thumb is to drink enough water consistently throughout the day and adjust your fluid intake based on activity level, diet, and overall health. By making mindful choices, you can avoid dehydrating foods and drinks, improve energy levels, and keep your body properly hydrated for optimal well-being. Find more hydration tips and browse our range of water solutions at AquAid UK. Contact us today!
by Fern Shaw | Dec 13, 2012 | Health and Hydration
Encourage your children to eat water-rich foods
At home and in the lunchbox, encourage your child to eat water-rich foods like grapes, watermelon, cucumbers, carrots, and tomatoes.
Float slices of fruit (such as lemons or limes) in a jug of water
Or be creative with strawberries, clementine segments and any other colourful fruit.
Let your children drink what they want – within reason
Water is always going to be the healthiest drink for both children and adults, but if plain water makes them turn their noses up, give your children a little more freedom. Milk, natural juice, and flavoured water all work. However, to help them avoid a caffeine or sugar addiction early in life; never let them try fizzy drinks (or worse, take one to school). Hydrated children are happy children.
Give your child a straw.
It may sound strange, but we actually drink more when we’re drinking through a straw. With a straw, kids will be encouraged to drink more fluids, and they may enjoy the fun factor of having a straw in their favourite colour.
Use ice cube trays that make fun shapes and use those ice cubes in your child’s water
Nothing quite like the fascination of watching an ice cube shape melt while drinking your water and should the ice cube drop or fall, no mess apart from a little puddle!
Take your child to pick out a new, special cup
Young children are big on ‘ownership’, especially when there are siblings, so once they have their own individual drinking cup, this will encourage them to use their cup for drinking from.
by Fern Shaw | Dec 7, 2012 | Health and Hydration
For this, the 2nd collection of the Super, Simple, we’re stepping up the effort factor a notch. Still simple, still practical, requires only a tad more thought and self-conditioning.
- Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
- Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 3 700 litres a month.
- Don’t use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
- If your shower fills a 5 litre bucket in less than 30 seconds, replace the shower head with a water-efficient model.
- Put food colouring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 3 700 litres a month.
- When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
- Plant in the autumn when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
- Use a broom instead of a hosepipe to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
- We’re more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor taps, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
- Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid over watering some while under-watering others.
