You Are What You Eat: It doesn't get any simpler than water

Each week, we'll be naming a Super Food and offering unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!This week's superfood is not technically a food. It's a beverage. But it's the mightiest of all the beverages out there. It's refreshing, calorie-free, inexpensive ... and essential for life. Are we talking about Diet Coke here? No way. This miracle drink is, of course, water -- you know, that clear stuff that comes out of your tap and is sold in plastic bottles on stores.

Just what makes water so wonderful? You don't need to look much further than your own body for the answer. Your body runs on water -- your blood is 83% water and your muscles are 74% water. In fact, every single cell in your body needs water to function,so it goes without saying that you need water to function. But let's forget that fact for a second and focus on reasons why you should want to drink more water. Water can:

• Increase your energy



• Help you lose weight by curbing appetite without adding extra calories



• Help flush out your body of toxins



• Keep your skin and hair healthy and moisturized



• Help your kidneys function properly



• Help you feel better overall

As for health benefits? Drinking water can help reduce your risk of pretty much any illness under the sun, from cancer to heart disease to urinary tract infections. It can improve everything from your mood to your longevity to your stamina and fitness. Still not convinced? Consider this: You have nothing to lose by drinking more water -- it's inexpensive and calorie-free. There is no other beverage in the world that can boast all of these selling points.

But how much should you get? It's a widespread belief that you should drink at least eight 8-oz glasses a day. That adds up to a whooping 64 oz of water, or roughly about 2L. I'm used to drinking this much so it doesn't bother me, but some can't stomach that much water. If you're one of those people, good news: Research shows that while drinking 64oz of water a day won't hurt you, it's not necessary. As long as you eat plenty of fruits and veggies, drink a fair amount of healthy liquids, eat an overall healthy diet and don't feel dehydrated, you're probably getting enough. Still, downing a big glass every time you have a craving for junk food will do you a world of good.

Not a fan of plain old water? Add a squeeze of lemon, lime or orange to it for a bit of a kick.

Tags: agua, aqua, beverage, calories, h20, hunger, hydrate, hydration, water

special credit for : http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/07/08/you-are-what-you-eat-it-doesnt-get-any-simpler-than-water/