Water is practically void of nutritional value. So why do we include it in a nutritional series?
The human body is comprised of 60% water.
Water is necessary for every bodily process!
Water helps flush our liver of toxins (of which we are processing both ours and babe's when pregnant)
Water keeps our kidneys functioning well
Water maintains balance of sodium (and other micronutrients) in our body
Water keeps our bowels moving and our poop soft
Water helps maintain adequate blood pressure
So even though water doesn't contribute directly to our nutrition, it is absolutely essential to life!
The recommended water intake for a healthy adult is 8 eight-ounce glasses per day. But when you are pregnant, this increases to 10-12 eight-ounce glasses per day!
Now here's the kicker, and my super secret . . . you will not benefit from drinking that much water if you have a tendency to chug twenty ounces at a time. You might be done with your water intake quicker, but you are not going to gain the benefits of that hydration.
Here's why: YOUR BODY CAN ONLY ABSORB 4 OUNCES OF WATER EVERY 15 MINUTES!
Anything more than 4 ounces over 15 minutes gets sent directly to the bladder to get rid of. Have you ever heard that your urine color is a good indicator of how hydrated you are? (Aim for light yellow or clear, they say). But the reality is that if you chug a large amount of water, you urine will be very light for a short period of time. Then as time passes without drinking, your urine will get very dark again. You are far better off sipping on your water bottle frequently throughout the day than chugging large amounts at once.
Drink water today! You'll feel better! You'll benefit from a clearer mind, better metabolic control, less toxin build up and more stable blood pressures! Your body and your baby will thank you for it!
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