Keep yourself hydrated

It’s recommended that we drink 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid each day but sometimes drinking water can often be seen as a chore.

The best choice to drink is water, of course, however, fruit juices, smoothies, fizzy drinks, milk and tea and coffee can also contribute to your recommended daily intake and will keep you hydrated. Unfortunately, alcohol doesn’t count, as much as we wish it did sometimes, it actually makes you lose water from your body and can dehydrate you.

The benefits of water

• Helps maintain the balance of body fluids
• Can help control calorie intake
• Helps energise your muscles
• Works wonders for your skin
• Looks after your kidneys
• Encourages normal bowel function

Signs of dehydration

• Dark coloured urine
• Little urine
• Headaches
• Extreme thirst and a dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Fatigue

If you don’t drink enough each day then you should really start now; it’s vital for all of your organs to function correctly. Although fizzy drinks and caffeinated coffees are included in keeping you hydrated, you should remember that some drinks contain high amounts of sugar, so where possible swap these for low-calorie drinks or decaffeinated drinks.