Now that the weather is starting to heat up, the best gift you can give your body is a glass of plain, simple water. Water is essential to life and it is the drink your body likes best!

Let’s look at other benefits from water. It gives 100 percent hydration; it is good for your teeth; it is cheap, and calorie free; and contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium. It is also great for making your complexion look fresh and clear. Many nutritionists can tell if a person drinking insufficient water just by looking in their face.

• Is your skin dry?

• Do you get headaches?

• Does your tongue look pink and healthy?

• Check the color of your urine. The paler and clearer it is the better. If it is dark colored, it is a sign that you are dehydrated. Check this daily.

The official recommendation is eight glasses a day to keep kidneys functioning effectively and to avoid the headaches that can be caused by dehydration. But to cope with the very hot weather in desert climates and the effects of air conditioning, we should be drinking between 10 and 12 glasses a day, depending upon the amount of time spent exposed to the heat. Your body comprises 70 percent water, but the daily loss in hot weather is between 2 and 3 liters a day, which needs to be replaced.

Over time, even slight dehydration may cause a lot of problems for the body. These can include constipation, tiredness, weight gain and dry, aged skin. It is also thought to be one of the causes of high blood pressure. Because toxins cannot be adequately flushed from the body, dehydration could also lead to damage of the immune system. The new theory is that many illnesses in modern society may be due to the fact that the majority of the population suffers from dehydration. Doctors believe that thousands of lives could be saved each year, if only we drank more of the cheapest, simplest drinks of all, water. Don’t just gulp it down, take time to taste and enjoy. It really is the elixir of youth.

• Water has no calories or sugar.

• It is a natural source of energy for the brain.

• Soft drinks and fruit juices can have high levels of sugar, which means that they are absorbed more slowly and do not rehydrate the body as quickly as water.

• Soft drinks can even increase dehydration, as the body needs to dilute them in order to digest them.

• Tea, coffee, and colas increase the amount of fluid lost, as their caffeine content acts as a diuretic, drawing fluid from the body. So, if you are going to have these drinks in hot weather, always take a glass of water first.

• Always have a bottle of water by your bed.

• Drink a glass of water before each meal.

• Always take water with you in the car.

• Always have a drink of water when you return from a journey.

• Pack plenty of water on picnics and trips to the beach or desert.

• Always drink water before taking caffeine drinks.

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If she has been diagnosed with heart problems, high blood pressure or other medical conditions she should definitely speak to her doctor first. If she has not exercised for a long time she must start very gently with a daily walk and you could also email me at: [email protected] for a copy of my Mini-Morning Workout which she could use to start to get fit in the privacy of her own home.