Fine tuning for a healthier lifestyle

 

Fluids


Water is an essential part of the diet. Humans are able to survive for several weeks without food but for only a few days without water. Since the body has no means of storing water, you need a constant supply to replenish the fluid that you lose through sweating and urination. This means that you need to drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day, and more when it is hot or when playing sport or taking exercise. Most of this is ingested through foods or beverages other than drinking straight water. Children need more water than adults as they have faster, harder working metabolisms, are very active and have a small stomach capacity. 

Alcohol


Alcohol has very little nutritional value, and excess consumption can lead to a number of medical problems, including certain vitamin deficiencies. It also adds a significant amount of empty calories to the diet, with consequent weight gain. Alcohol not only affects your ability to coordinate, memory, bodily functions that control body temperature, heart rate and consciousness but it also affects the secretion of a hormone that acts on the kidneys to reabsorb water causing an increase in the amount of urine produced.
 

Caffeine


Drinking caffeine based drinks such as tea, coffee, hot chocolate and energy drinks are very popular today because of the stimulating effect of the caffeine content. It can also have a major impact on every system in the body, increase the heart rate and a rise in blood cholesterol and fats can cause long term health issues.