What’s in Your Water?

Third in a series about the life-giving liquid.

By Ian Walker

How much water should we drink a day for proper hydration? This is a common question. Is it the eight glasses a day, and if so, how big should the glass be? It comes down to a very simple solution that everyone can do without any scientific formula of advice.

The answer lies in the color and odor of your urine and body odor. Concentrated (yellow) and strong odor of urine and is the most obvious indicator that you’re not drinking enough water. Drinking a glass or two of water first thing in the morning helps to kick start your metabolism and flush you kidneys. Drinking water throughout the day keeps you focused and energized.

Drink water before you feel thirsty. The thirst mechanism is one of the last indicators of dehydration. If you’re thirsty, you are already dehydrated. A headache, fatigue, body ache, sluggish feeling and tiredness are all classic signs of dehydration. Drinking a glass of water before you go to bed will allow your body to flush toxins during the night and keep your body well hydrated during sleep.

Always drink plenty of water during exercise. Chronic dehydration can lead to death. By drinking plenty of water, you will not only feel and look better, you’ll think and smell better too.

Ian Walker is a Certified Water Technician and president of Mountain Slope Water Inc.