Drinking water is like taking a shower on the inside of your body.
MySpaWater.com
Substitutes to Drinking Water.
Do you have to drink water to get your body the fluids it needs to function optimally? I discussed the importance of drinking enough water in my most recent post, 27 Reasons to Drink More Water. And yes, there absolutely are alternatives that could count towards drinking water. Personally I don’t typically think of them as counting towards my own daily water intake. However, after researching pretty thoroughly, I can’t find much data to back my own neuroticism! Below is a list of things that contribute to your body’s hydration levels, but then read further to hear why I still drink upwards of 160 ounces of water a day:
- Teas
- Sports drinks
- Coffee
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Coconut water
- Sparkling water
- Fruit juices
- Carbonated beverages such as sodas
- Soups
- Basically, any liquids not containing alcohol
How About Coffee & Tea’s Diuretic Effects?
I thought this would be one of my arguments for why water is the best option for meeting daily hydration needs. It wasn’t. What I found instead is that our bodies adapt to repeated exposure to the caffeine. This results in the diuretic effects of coffee and tea actually lessening over time. The human body is an amazing machine that never seizes to amaze me.
Why I Still Only Count Water.
None of the things listed above can truly replace water, in my opinion. Sure the other substances might hydrate you and prevent you from dying of dehydration. But I’m not trying to just survive. I’m trying to give my body what it needs and wants most to function optimally. Water isn’t going to effect my blood sugar levels. It isn’t going to stain or damage my teeth. I don’t run the risk of getting indigestion from drinking water. And I’m not going to be taking in empty calories from consuming it.
Better Safe Than Sorry.
At the end of the day, I figure it’s better safe than sorry. I drink a lot of herbal teas and coffee on a daily basis. So according to the research I found, I shouldn’t need as much water as I consume on the regular. However, when I don’t drink as much water I notice a difference in my:
- Skin health
- Mental clarity
- Muscle strength
- Workout quality
- Urine color
- Energy levels
- Mouth Dryness
- Eye Dryness
- Allergy symptoms
- Flexibility…
And none of it is for the better! So I’m going to keep drinking water and only counting water towards my daily hydration. What about you? Do you think that water is replaceable?? Share your thoughts and experience below!