Water is incredibly healthy for you. It is the ‘oil’ that lubricates our body. The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. And for many, our thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger.

According to the NIH, drinking a quart of water daily reduces the risk of colon cancer by 45%, reduces the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and reduces the risk of bladder cancer by 50%. Additional research also indicates drinking half a gallon of water a day would significantly ease back and joint pain for 80% of sufferers.

Here are 3 easy ways to add more water to your diet:

1. Quit drinking soda! Replace every soda you drink with a glass of water. Soda is about as bad for your body as it gets (yes, even diet soda). Researchers calculate that for each additional soda consumed, the risk of obesity increases 1.6 times. Here are some reasons why:

* Soda is high in phosphorous (not to mention carbonation), which causes deterioration of calcium in the bones, making bones weak and brittle.

* A 16 oz. Coke has 40 grams of sugar. By comparison, a packet of sugar has 4 grams of sugar. These extremely high doses of refined sugar cause your body to overproduce insulin, further preventing your body from adding calcium to your bones.

* Soda is high in sodium which causes dehydration and fatigue, and can affect short-term memory and your ability to focus.

* Drinking water instead of soda actually saves water. Did you know it takes one gallon of water to make a single can of soda?

2. If you drink alcoholic beverages, drink one glass of water for each alcoholic drink. This will reduce the strain on your liver from processing the alcohol, and help prevent dehydration caused by alcohol consumption.

3. Drink a minimum of 8 oz of water for every 15 minutes of exercise. This is an easy one – just carry a water bottle with you whenever you exercise and take frequent small drinks. You’ll be able to exercise longer with better muscle response and less fatigue.

4. At mealtime, between each bite of food, put down your fork and take a sip of water. You’ll slow down your eating, feel full faster, and consume less food.

Cleansing Herbs - So Very Important To Your Health!

Cleansing herbs are herbs which are used to clean out the body. It is always good to use theses herbs because we put so many artificial food stuff and junk into our bodies almost every day. Cleansing herbs are full of natural chemicals that help the body in getting rid of unwanted toxins. These toxins build up over the years by eating unhealthy foods which are filled with artificial chemicals. These toxins are not healthy and are harmful to the body and can be considered a slow and silent killer.

There are many different types of herbs used to clean out the body. These cleansing herbs are often available at many local health food stores and most products are not be very costly. Here are some of the herbs and what they are used for:

Aloe is used as a Blend for Digestive Problems and the Immune System, the herb has astonishing internal health benefits. This herb is one of the historical herbs used for many years, it is normally used externally to help heal sores, cuts and burns but it is also used internally to fight ulcers and stomach disorders. Another herb that has been used for many years now is Astragalus and is used for diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. It works by helping the immune system speed up the body’s ability to fight diseases.

The Native American herb Bayberry is a very versatile herb used to revive and prevent varicose veins. It is also used to support the improvement of vascular problems. The Bilberry herbs are another herb that is truly nature’s gift to the eyes, it is used to support healthy eyesight, and it fights off eye fatigue and eyestrain by strengthening the capillaries. It also improves night vision and helps in fighting near sightedness and blurred vision.

Thyme is used for Migraine headaches in today’s modern society, besides being used as a seasoning for many dishes; thyme is also used as a disinfectant and is well known for its antifungal properties. During the Middle Ages thyme was given to knights as they went to battle because in those days people believed that it increased courage. The Yaba Santa reduces chest congestion and long ago the American Indians used to smoke or chew the leaves of this herb for the treatment of bronchial problems asthma and Hay-fever. This herb is also a good remedy for arthritis and rheumatism. There are many more herbs too numerous to mention, but you can find lots of information on them on the internet or in books in your local library.

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