Drinking water. Just water.

[Babyluv]

What about buying a big carton of juice, fresh juice, no added sugar etc and using it like cordial. A little bit in a glass or bottle and the rest water, just to add a bit of flavour and as you get used to it you could slowly decrease it until you're having plain water. I haven't read the other responses so sorry if someone has already said the same thing

[ciara.e]

Hi Astrid

Caffeine in coffee is highly acidic. It causes a cortisol response in the body which leads to toxins being stored in the fat cells. I give a seminar at least once a week on this - I just don't have enough time right now to sit here and type it all out I'm afraid (I have not long arrived home from teaching classes etc and I have clients to train early tomorrow, and more nutrition clients after that). To reduce the toxic acid build up caused by each cup of coffee, you would need to drink 16 glasses of water to flush it out. Yes, if you drink 2 cups of coffee you would need to drink 32 glasses of water to flush it out. Many people experience the 'spare tyre' in the lower abdominal area as a result of coffee consumption. This fat is due directly to cortisol levels being too high as caffeine is one of the worst factors which cause huge cortisol spikes in the body. This is called the stress cortisol response.

Water consumption for anyone whose body regulates its own temperature, generally through sweating (that is anyone who is not an infant/small child/elderly) would require 3-4L of water to be consumed on a daily basis (without taking into consideration medications, caffeine consumption, activity levels etc). Those who exercise at an intermediate to advanced level or anyone who naturally sweats more than others would require more water per day. The 2L per day is great for anyone within the other category (the elderly, young children etc). Once hormones kick in, you need more than 2L a day. Without the adequate amounts of water per day, dehydration begins, even if you don't think you feel dehydrated... and the acid levels in your body rise which leads to a toxic build up in the system.

I am yet to meet an exercise professional or medical professional who suggests the old-school 2L per day. That 2L is just to avoid complete breakdown. It is not to survive in a healthy body.

If you want to have muscle definition (i.e abs instead of a belly), water is crucial. Muscles are stronger and tighter when the adequate water intake has occurred.

I could continue on this topic for hours but it's way past my bedtime... and lack of sleep is another one of those things responsible for cortisol production.

Xx
Thanks for asking the question!

[Phteven]

I guess someone forgot to tell my abs that I need 32 glasses of water a day. Lucky because I'm pretty sure that would cause kidney failure.

[CinderToriella]

32 glasses of water per day , that crazy !! Every body is different and suggesting people Are not functioning and their body is not healthy if they are not drinking 3-4 liters a day , that's not healthy IMO ..
It has been proven that to much water can also be bad for the body ..

I go through stages where I drink non stop as I think I should , I end up being sick cause Iv drank more than I needed . Now I drink when I feel I need to , I sip water . Some days I drink 1 ltr some says 2 some days less .. Every day is different ..

I can drink water fine but not tap water .. I love sparkling mineral water , sometimes I add a little of the more fancy cordials to mix it up a bit

[ciara.e]

I think you should take a moment to re-read my post.

And yes, the whole point being that coffee is so bad that you literally can not flush it out of your system fast enough. But that has nothing to do with your abs. Again, take a moment to read before you jump to conclusions.

I guess someone forgot to tell my abs that I need 32 glasses of water a day. Lucky because I'm pretty sure that would cause kidney failure.

[Phteven]

On the other hand there are plenty of studies that point to the benefits of moderate consumption of fresh coffee.

[peanutter]

On the other hand there are plenty of studies that point to the benefits of moderate consumption of fresh coffee.

Exactly. And no evidence suggesting coffee (or acids etc which occur naturally in plenty of foods like citrus fruits, pineapple and coffee beans) needs to be "flushed out" of our bodies. I've quizzed my Drs on this previously (when there was hype aout 3 cups of water for each cup of coffee) and I'm perfectly happy that a moderate amount of coffee (2-3 cups per day) is fine.

Re water (to get back to the OP's question) I try to have a 750ml bottle on the train both ways to and from work to get a minimum of 1.5L. I still don't love it, but I know it's good for my body, digestion and skin, so I do it.

Herbal teas (I love camomile with mint) is good during winter and just fresh mint in summer is nice if you can get it.

I also find I eat much better when I'm well hydrated.

[black_rose]

I have done a couple of courses that say coffee and tea both have health benefits in moderation it's when you are adding sugar that it can be a problem. You can have alkaline foods and drinks if your think your body is too acidic as drinking that much water is going to flush out the electrolytes, salts and everything else our body needs and it would shut your body down. The hardest thing to recognise is when you are thirsty as your body often feels like you are hungry when it needs water.

[~clover~]

Peanutter, that's what I'm doing. Carrying 750 ml bottles around everywhere I go. In a pop top, rather than screw on lid, for the lazy side in me I'm having at least 2 of those a day of plain water.

Haven't decided if I like cold or tap temp, depends on the time of day I think.

From what's been said, if we do get about a litre of water out of foods each day, & drink 2 litres (the 8 glasses) of water, than we are consuming around 3 litres a day. So that should really be more than enough shouldn't it? Unless there's exercise/heat etc involved... So as long as we're deriving water from foods, & drinking a minimum of 1-1.5 litres, we're not doing too bad.

I'm going to stick to my 1.5-2 litres for now. I don't scull it yet, unless hot. I'm just continuously drinking throughout the day. I'm fine with myself having coffee with sugar in the mornings (or 2 or 3 a day when catching up with friends). Any amount of water I'm drinking now, especially the amount I'm drinking, is huge for me & my body. I'm not looking to be anything other than healthy. I'm not fussed on muscle definition, but hoping the change does flatten my belly a little, because that's the only issue I have with my body. And I think I already see a change, but I may be imagining it...

I'm happy with that

[peanutter]

Good job!!

Encouragement. Yes. (google it from "couples retreat" if you don't get the reference )

[~clover~]

Did google. Think I've found my entertainment for tonight. I think I've been missing something in my life from the look of this