Why we need minerals
Calcium: Good for the skeletal structure and teeth.
Magnesium: Can protect against heart and vascular disorders.
Potassium: Needed for the muscles and nervous system.
Sodium: Should be limited because we get quite a lot of sodium via salt.
(Source: The Swedish National Food Administration)
Signs that you are not drinking enough water
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Absent-mindedness
• Memory loss
• Constipation
• Sore and stiff muscles
• Wrinkled skin
• Itchy skin
• Headache
Signs of drinking too much water
• Profuse urination
• Unexplainable cramp in connection with exercise
• Headache
• Absent-mindedness
• Nausea
Water and Health
Improved health
Water is crucial for many bodily functions:
- It helps to sustain blood volumes while retaining energy levels.
- In correct amounts water improves concentration and reaction time, during exercise in particular.
- Water increases the number of calories you burn during regular daily activities.
- Water can prevent stomach upset caused by concentrated medicines.
- Water helps the body get rid of excess sodium that could cause the accumulation of liquids.
Better protection against certain illnesses
Tests show a possible connection between a high water intake and reduced risk of, for example, colds, constipation, kidney stones, urinary tract infections and bladder cancer.
Improve your looks
Not giving your body enough water shows on your skin, which becomes dry causing wrinkles and chapping. So make sure you drink enough water to keep your skin smoother, more elastic and less wrinkly!
Lose weight
We often mistake thirst for hunger pangs and nibble at snacks when the body actually needs water. By drinking water you feel full up and your hunger pangs diminish.
Nearly all bodily functions such as blood pressure, liver, kidneys, limbs and digestive system need water to function in the best possible way. Our bodies consist of around 70 percent water.
There is a difference of opinion regarding the amount of water we should drink a day. Some say we should drink up to two litres of water or liquid a day; others say you should listen to your body and only drink water when you are thirsty. In hot climates you have to drink before thirst sets in to avoid dehydration. When it is hot outside it is better to drink room temperature or warm water because the body absorbs it more easily.
Water cannot be replaced by coffee, tea or soft drinks. Coffee and alcohol have a dehydrating effect.
Your body loses liquid when you have a cold. Drink water to avoid dehydration. When you exercise it is important to drink liquid. You could lose up to a litre of liquid during a one-hour training session so it is vital to fill up. Experts recommend drinking before, during and after a training session to avoid dehydration.