Although most of us are drinking a lot of water these days, it amazes me how there still are those who just won’t let go of their sugar-laden, artificially flavored drinks. I’m not completely guilt-free of this. After working in the gym all day and drinking nothing but water throughout the day, I enjoy having someting with flavor to it as well. I spoke to a group of car salesman this week about how to take care of themselves while having to work outside. This past July was recorded as our hottest yet. At one point in the discussion I found myself in a confrontation with a fellow who would just not let go of the idea that it was ok to drink several energy drinks during his day. We all have a right to put in us whatever we want. And let it be known that I completely respect his right to do this as well. Know this. Nothing absorbs and then hydrates us as quickly as water. This does include sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade. Sports drinks which include electrolytes are meant for endurance athletes that are working out for an hour or more at a high intensity. If you’re not this active then back to basics – water is your friend!!
Marcia Reynolds
What about Recharge? Since it doesn’t have caffeine or sugar, is it a good substitute for water or do I still have to drink my 8 glasses of plain, old water a day?
longevitypt
Yes Marcia you should still drink your 8 glasses of water a day. Recharge is a great substitute for high in sugar content drinks like Gatorade, but only if your workouts are at a high enough intensity.
longevitypt
Thanks Sherri for your response. Great supportive information for using water. As far as the ice cream cravings especially when under stress, as you outlined. Sounds like a comfort food request from within.
Sherry
Hi Karl,
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your latest business tool – the blog. Next I would like to include my comments here, for what it’s worth. My most recent diet experience consists of eating all the things that provide sustained fuel for the body, while providing something of a light cleanse for the system. It mandates, something like the Food Combining Diet, all of the same type of foods be eaten at the same sitting. But takes it a step further into the same food in the entire day. Don’t freak out – you don’t do this diet for more than seven days. Then after a two week break you can have another go at it. It promises to remove pounds by the truckload. At the very least, it was my hope to scramble up my eating habits along with my metabolism. Then to embark upon a healthy eating plan and get off the sugar.
While, highly refined sugar is not included on this list of consumption; however, water is – lots of it. Eight or more glasses per day. So, that requirement alone, if broken up throughout the day is simply two glasses in the morning. (I like to make sure I get one in before the coffee.) If you work out in the morning, it is very easy to down several glasses of water (if not more) in one hour. Take in another two glasses during lunchtime. Two more in the afternoon with a non sugary snack. Then another two glasses with dinner. It’s fairly easy to do. In my experience, the more sugar I eat – the more I seem to crave. The less sugar I eat – the less I crave. The need for those energy drinks seemed to evaporate once I provided fuel for my body through healthy food choices. Sugar cravings seem to rear their ugly head in my body to soothe some emotional upset, or non-constructive thought processes. One minute I’m worrying about paying the high electric bill – suddenly, I’m looking around for ice cream. What’s up with that?!
Experts have maintained for years that although tea, coffee, and even Gatorade contain water, they are no substitute for plain water. Also my skin looks clearer, and the dark circles under my eyes have vanished. To this, I contribute my increased water intake as well as elimination of the sugar (or sugar substitute) that accompanied many of my historical choices for “hydration.” I agree with you – water is your friend.
Joe
Does beer offer any hydrating or nutritional benefits?
longevitypt
No Joe in fact beer is a diuretic since it contains alcohol. There is a case for beer to be high in fiber but the alcohol in it destroys vitamin C.
Joe
I was afraid of that.
Sherry
There is a CASE for beer to be HIGH in fiber… (pun intended?)
Glenn
The cardboard case is very high in fiber, the printing inks may be harmful though!
Karl, while on the subject of water, when buying bottled water, is there any benefit to spring water over purified water?
longevitypt
Great question Glenn!! Know this – To meet the legal definition of “purified water”, water must be 99.9% pure. And these test results have to be made available to the public upon request. As far as “spring water”, their quality fluctuates because the aquifers that they come from are in a constant state of change. When a spring water company claims that their water is protected. Their definition of “protection” keeps the spring safe from unwanted visitors. This protection does not cover them from acid rain or other industrial protection. More and more consumers are turning to purified water and this is the smartest choice.
Bart
I am always surprised how many peope still run with out water. The dry climate in arizona zaps the moisture out very quickly. Add to that exercise and outdoors and it’s easy to be dehydrated in a short period of time.
longevitypt
Thanks for your comment. Yeah, amazing!! And not only now when it is so evident with the high temperatures but when it gets cooler as well.
Sherry
You mean there aren’t people lined up handing out cups of the stuff along the road everyday? I guess that’s why we put out the big bucks for the races…