Water is literally the river through which our good health flows. Water detox can be more effective than other demanding or expensive detox drinks. Water carries nutrients to our cells, aids digestion by forming stomach secretions, cleanses our bodies of waste, and keeps our kidneys healthy.

It keeps our moisture-rich organs - our skin, eyes, mouth, and nose - working well, lubricates and cushions our joints, and regulates our body temperature and metabolism, just to name a few of its many functions.

Disease Prevention

Water also plays a crucial role in disease prevention. In a study conducted at the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Sheffield, England, researchers concluded that women who stay adequately hydrated reduced their risk of breast cancer by 79 percent.
Another study, conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, found that women who drink more than five glasses of water a day have a 45 percent lower risk of colon cancer compared to women who drink two or less glasses of water a day.
Many doctors believe that adequate hydration can help prevent chronic joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, because water reduces inflammation and promotes healthy cartilage. Adequate consumption of water can also slow the signs of aging and improve conditions such as constipation, diabetes, hypoglycemia, obesity, arthritis, kidney stones, dry skin, wrinkles, cataracts, and glaucoma.

H2O: the toxic avenger

Without enough water flowing through our systems to flush out waste and toxins, we would literally drown in our own poisonous metabolic waste. I don't mean to sound alarmist, but this is not an exaggeration. Even mild dehydration can wear down our systems in ways that seriously compromise our overall quality of life.
Just as the liver is crucial to the digestive process, the kidneys are necessary to help the body eliminate water and waste. The kidneys are a pair of small organs found near the spine in the lower back. They take in about 20 percent of the body's blood each time the heart beats, cleanse it of unwanted substances, and then produce urine, the fluid by which these wastes are removed from the body.
Normally functioning kidneys also control the concentration levels of body fluids. If the body fluids are too dilute, the kidneys expel the excess water through the urine. If the body fluids are too concentrated, the kidneys excrete the excess solutes and hold on to the water. In short, the kidneys have to do with balancing the fluids and electrolytes in our body so that our systems function smoothly.
If the kidneys do not get the water they need to perform these filtering functions, our health deteriorates rapidly.

Electrolytes and hydration

Electrolyte is the scientific term for a type of salt made up of ions that are both positively and negatively charged. These are the "sparks" that transfer electrical messages through cells, and it is this activity that makes our bodies work. Our kidneys work to keep our electrolyte concentrations stable as they must be constantly replaced. If not, dehydration can occur, which can lead to organ damage and seizures. How can we be sure that we are getting enough electrolytes? Do we need to buy sports drinks specially formulated with sugar?
Many sports physiologists recommend water, that is, pure water, instead of the fancy sports drinks that they market to us. Experts have found that the difference in electrolyte content between water and sports drinks is important only for elite athletes competing professionally in endurance events. Since electrolytes are already abundant in the American diet, people who exercise moderate to regular don't have to worry about running out of these salty ions. Edible sea vegetables, the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, are a great source of electrolytes, as well as minerals and trace elements.

Wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys and the bladder regulate the fluids in our body and form the Water Element. Our kidneys are fantastic removers; They get rid of the waste products of protein metabolism (uric acid, urea, and lactic acid), but they need a lot of water to do this.
Traditional Chinese Medicine reveres the kidneys because they distribute qi, or vital vital energy, throughout the body. The kidneys are responsible for removing excess hormones, vitamins, minerals, and foreign toxins such as drugs, chemicals, and food additives.

Water fights grease

Drinking water is very beneficial for weight loss. In fact, if you are looking for a magic formula to start losing weight, there is no better strategy than drinking 10 glasses of water a day. Here's why: water is a natural appetite suppressant and helps the body metabolize fat. When the kidneys don't get enough water and can't function properly, the liver is asked to fill in and take over the role of removing toxins from our systems.
Normally, one of the most important tasks of the liver is to metabolize stored fat into a usable form of energy. But when the liver is busy doing the work of the kidneys, it is not available to metabolize stored fat. As more and more fat is stored in the body, weight loss stops.
Paradoxically, drinking a lot of water is also the best remedy for water retention. The body retains water in response to not getting enough water in the first place.

Sensing a threat, cells cling to the water they have, causing swelling in our hands, feet, and legs. When we drink enough water, our cells can relax and do their work, without retaining scarce water.

Also, a person who is overweight needs to drink more water than a slim person. This is because the larger person has a higher metabolic load. To support this, more water is needed.

As you lose weight, your body will have more toxins and waste to eliminate. Increase your water intake at this point and it will help your body eliminate waste more efficiently, thus helping you lose weight.

Excerpted from The Great American Detox Diet: 8 Weeks to Weight Loss and Well-Being by Alex Jamieson. Visit Alex at Healthy Chef Alex.

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Source: https://www.vegkitchen.com/water-detoxifying/