What is so great about water and why is it so hard to get enough? The Institute of Medicine recommends that pregnant women drink about 10 cups of fluids daily and women who breast-feed consume about 13 cups of fluids a day. That is a lot of water!
Our bodies are made up of 70% water and we use water every time we breathe, eat, sweat and use the restroom, among other things. A healthy person can actually drink up to about 48 cups of water a day. I honestly cant even fathom drinking that much water. Water is our life source and without it we wouldn't live too long. During pregnancy many women have found that drinking water can help with morning sickness, heart burn and indigestion as well as keeping your body cool during potentially hot summer days.
It may sound like an oxy moron but drinking water can also help with water retention. If you work during pregnancy and find that your feet and hands get quite a bit more puffy at night, try upping your water intake. The more you drink during pregnancy, the less your body will retain because theres a constant replenishing.
What do you do if you hate water and don't feel like you could possibly get enough? You could always try a fruit infused water bottle. These are a super cool and easy way to get the ounces that you need throughout your day. Add a little fruit to the bottle and let it infuse into your water. Your water will be delicious and you're guaranteed to feel the benefits of the extra intake!
Be wary of coffee, tea and sodas. These all contain caffeine which is actually a mild diuretic and can deter the water from getting to crucial areas of your body.
Water truly is our first life source so make sure to talk to your doctor today about how to experience even more benefits from it!
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