Nearly 75% of us live in a chronic state of dehydration, never getting the amount of water that we need to drink.  Why is that so terrible?  Well, for one thing, even mild dehydration can slow our metabolism down by as much as 3%.  For someone who is on a mission to lose as much weight as possible, 3% is significant.

Here are some great informative facts regarding water: 

• It seems that nearly everyone knows that we should drink 64 ounces of water per day, yet the average American drinks only about 36 ounces per day.  Where do you stand in your water consumption? 
• In a single day, you use two to three quarts of liquid performing natural bodily functions such as perspiring and breathing.  You lose even more when you breathe heavily or sweat profusely through exercise. 
• About 40% or our water intake comes from food.  Fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears and cabbage are between 85-95% water.  Poultry such as chicken is about 60% and most breads are as much as 30%. 
• Yet, the greater part of our fluid assimilation is represented by fluids.  Fruit juices, skim milk and herbal teas are good sources but can add unwanted calories.  Plain water is always the preferable source.

AND YET, WATER HAS SO MANY BENEFITS: Are you tired during the day? Drink some water. Dehydration is the #1 trigger of fatigue. 

• Dehydration of the skin’s surface should also be a daily concern. Does your skin feel itchy?  Drink some water. Itchy skin is a symptom of dehydration. 
• If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Thirst lags far behind the body’s need for water. When your kidneys sense water levels are low they send signals to the rest of the body telling it to retain water and slow down. Once that happens, your mouth feels dry.  
• The optimum temperature for shower or bath water is 90-95 degrees F. Tepid water (80-90 degrees F) is energizing, perfect for the morning bath. However, do not linger. Soaks longer than 15 minutes, or more than two baths or showers a day dry out the skin. Water above 95 degrees makes people perspire and strips the natural oil from the skin, dehydrating the skin. 
• Feeling hungry? Drink some water. Almost 40% of us can’t tell the difference between thirst and hunger because our thirst mechanism is so weak. 
• Do you have joint pain? Drinking 8-10 glasses of water could significantly alleviate joint pain in the majority of sufferers.

Most important of all is the fact that our internal organs function at their peak when they are hydrated. One of their functions is to burn fat. Lacking proper water, you won’t burn as much stored fat as you do when hydrated. So if you want to become a “fat burning machine”, drink water! 

• And remember; don’t count beverages with alcohol or caffeine such as coffee, tea, or colas toward your water consumption goals. The caffeine and alcohol will actually deplete your body of fluid; they act as a diuretic. You need to make up for this consumption by drinking an extra glass of water for each glass of caffeine or alcohol that you consume. At that rate you won’t have time to eat. Maybe that’s the whole point! 

We at the GOLDEN DOOR SPA at THE BOULDERS RESORT wish you a wonderful visit with us, no matter how long your stay may be. We do hope that you heed our advice every day but especially while you are visiting with us here in the Sonoran Desert.