10 simple ways to improve your health with water

This is the first in a series of articles with practical advice to improve the 6 foundations of your health – clean water, fresh air, sunshine, movement, sleep and fresh food.  This article provides fast and simple ways to use water to build these foundations.

Water has many crucial functions* in the body including:

  • moistening the tissues throughout the body
  • helps to regulate body temperature
  • assists in the protection of our body organs
  • prevents constipation
  • lessens the burden on the kidneys and liver, flushing toxins out of the body
  •  lubricates your joints
  • dissolves minerals and other nutrients, making them more accessible to the cells
  • carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells

We all know that water is essential for life.  Our bodies are 70% water therefore it is important to consume enough to support your body in its functions, after all, would you rather look like a grape or a sultana?

  1. Drink 2-3 Litres of fresh clean filtered water each day and eat a water based diet (plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables). You can add a few drops of essential oils like peppermint, orange or lavender or crush some fresh herbs in the glass such as lemongrass, mint or lavender. You can also squeeze lemon or orange into the water or, add strawberry and mint.

  2. To remineralise water, place water in a glass container in the sun for 15 minutes.

  3. Add the juice of 1 lemon to 1 litre of warm water in the morning and drink before breakfast.  Lemon stimulates the liver and therefore helps to detox the body.

  4. Add 1-2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar to a glass of water and drink when feeling dehydrated, for an energy lift or to calm nausea or an upset stomach.  ACV has cleansing, healing and energising health properties.

  5. Add grated ginger (1cm) to warm water in the morning and/or before meals.  (You can add this to the lemon drink).  Ginger stimulates the stomach and therefore aids in digestion.

  6. Add ¼ – 1tsp unrefined salt (eg. pink Himalayan Salt) to each litre of water and drink throughout the day.  Salt helps with fluid balance, immunity and is rich in minerals.

  7. For a healthy sports drink or rehydrating drink, add unrefined salt, fresh lemon juice and raw honey to water.

  8. In stomach cramps that are caused by constipation, drink as much clean filtered water as you can to help make you regular.

  9. In food poisoning or viral infections, drink as much clean filtered water as you can until recovery, as a priority to food.

  10. In dehydration and fluid retention, gradually increase water intake and reduce salt intake for 2-3 days.

Try these 10 simple tips to support your body from the inside out. If you have any questions, or would like specific advice on your health please contact us on 07) 3208 8308 or book instantly online.

Check out other articles in this series packed with simple and practical ways to improve the 6 foundations of your health, including – clean water, fresh air, sunshine, movement, sleep and fresh food.

Written by Dr. Jess Harvey B.Sc. (Anat, Phys), B.Ap.Sci (Comp. Med.), Ma Osteo., Registered Osteopath and Director of Head 2 Toe Health, a multidisciplinary clinic in Brisbane also providing Acupuncture, Massage, Life Coaching and Counselling – where we aim to get you as well as possible, as fast as possible, permanently. We believe in a thorough approach to restoring and maintaining health and address many aspects of our lifestyles that can contribute to pain, stiffness, dis-ease and disease. For any further information, please contact us on info@head2toehealth.com.au or 07) 3208 8308.

This information is intended as a general guide only and is not specific for any particular condition or situation.  Please seek specific advice from a healthcare practitioner before beginning a new nutrition or exercise program.

 Resources -*www.replenish.com