Water Is Life! And Helps PCOS Too!

When we say we should keep ourselves hydrated, what and how much does this actually mean, especially if you have PCOS?

Well, it is quite simple when you have a chart in front of you, but knowing how much each body needs on a day-to-day basis depends on how much activity you are wanting your body to do.

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I am sure you all know that although your body can survive weeks without food (I am NOT recommending this), your body is only able to survive for a few days without water; if you are in a hot environment this may be reduced to only a few hours!!

There have been studies done that conclude having a fully hydrated body (in other words, people who drink more water) appears to confer as much benefit to heart health as stopping smoking or lowering cholesterol!

Dehydration is the loss of water from the body, and a depletion of electrolyte levels. When you become even slightly dehydrated your body fights back by slowing down the elimination of water.

If you ever feel thirsty you are already dehydrated, the most common cause being simply just forgetting to drink water! Dehydration for everyone can cause the body to act differently, but for those people who exercise, it is so, so, so important that we keep our body hydrated.

From a cosmetic point of view, being dehydrated can cause us to look puffy in the face and swollen. It can affect ones ankles and makes them also look swollen and sometimes cause discomfort. It can also induce unnecessary headaches and irritability, all of which those suffering with PCOS will know a lot about.

So by drinking enough water for your body and activity level, can all these problems be reduced? Well, I am no doctor, but I know from my own body research, the answer to that is "yes". When I drink water, I feel great. I constantly have a water bottle with me everywhere I go (I actually carry that instead of a handbag -- haha!!)

What many people try to do is substitute water with other soft drinks, fruit juices, tea, coffee etc. What these beverages actually do is INCREASE your need for even MORE water, so wean yourself onto Mother Nature's very own clear stuff and start enjoying the benefits that come along with a fantastically hydrated body!

Health Benefits of Water. Also Helps Relieve PCOS

Let us look at a list of a few benefits of increased water intake:

Higher amount of energy
Less headaches
Lubricated joints
Aided digestion system
Correctly functioning kidneys and liver
Quicker recovery from exercise
Increased fat burning.

How Much Water Do I Need?

Here is a simple way to find out how much water your own body needs.

Need Factor:

0.5 - Sedentary, no sports or training
0.6 - Jogger or light fitness training
0.7 - Sports participation or moderate training 3 times a week
0.8 - Moderate daily weight training and aerobic training
0.9 - Heavy weight training daily
1.0 - Heavy weight training daily plus sports training

Take your body weight in pounds and multiply your weight by the appropriate need factor to arrive at the recommended water intake in ounces per day.

Example 1: 120 pounds x 0.6 = 72 ounces per day

Example 2: 200 pounds x 0.7 = 140 ounces per day

It is advised that you drink this amount of water eight to twelve times per day and not all at the same time!!

Example 1: 72 ounces per day divided by 10 glasses = 7.2 ounces per glass

Example 2: 140 ounces per day divided by 12 glasses = 11.7 ounces per glass

Stay healthy and hydrated!!

- Gemma