Last week we talked about the benefits of drinking six to eight glasses of pure, fresh water every day.   This is one of the simplest ways to boost your health, and yet many people don’t provide their body with the water it needs.  Why don’t more people drink enough water?  Maybe they’ve fallen into the trap of one of these health myths.

Health Myth #1:  I’m well hydrated because I drink lots of juice/pop/milk/coffee…?

Nothing hydrates your body like pure, fresh water.

The second best choice is a caffeine-free herbal tisane (“tea”).  Black tea and green tea don’t count because they both contain caffeine.  Tisanes are caffeine free.  They add flavour without a significant amount of calories or sugars.

Beverages with caffeine, like pop and coffee, are diuretics.  They encourage your body to lose even more water by causing you to use the washroom more frequently.

Alcoholic beverages do the same.  A cold beer might taste refreshing, but it is the opposite of thirst-quenching.

Sports drinks contain artificial dyes and flavours, and sometimes sugar or sweeteners.  Skip the unnecessary additives and choose fresh water instead.

Health Myth #2:  I drink when I feel thirsty, and that’s enough?

If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

Thirst is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.  Your body doesn’t have what it needs.

Don’t wait to get thirsty.  Make a habit of drinking water regularly, and you won’t need your body to sound its “alarm bell.”

Health Myth #3:  Juice and milk are better than water because water isn’t nutritious?

Whole fruit is more nutritious than fruit juice.  Whole fruit has more fibre.  Juice is often processed and concentrated.  Sometimes, extra sugar or artificial flavours are added.

If you’re looking for health benefits from fruit juice, you’ll do better to have a glass of fresh water and a piece of fresh fruit instead.  You’ll get more fiber, no added sugar and the fresh goodness of the fruit.

Some people benefit from consuming dairy.  Others find it difficult to digest.  If your body can handle milk, remember that you should also be drinking water to stay properly hydrated.  If milk causes you problems, there are plenty of other healthy ways to get calcium and protein.  Eat green leafy vegetables, legumes, fish, and/or poultry.

Either way, milk is not a substitute for fresh water.

Know the truth about these health myths

You shouldn’t force your body to go without water until you’re unbearably thirsty.  Similarly, you shouldn’t wait until you’re in serious pain before you visit your chiropractor.  Regular chiropractic maintenance care can prevent pain in the future.  Call Sheppard Chiropractic Centre at (506) 635-8182 or (506) 847-7172 and schedule your next appointment today!