5 Myths Of Detoxifying Your Body

Detoxification has been practiced for centuries in cultures throughout the world. A vital part of Chinese and Auyervedic medicine the concept of detoxifying your body is becoming more mainstream and I am hearing others talk about it more and more. But there are some misconceptions floating around about detoxification so I wanted to write an article on this subject to help clear up a few things.

1. You need to fast in order to detox. 
This could not be further from the truth. Detoxifying is about resting, cleaning and nourishing your body from the inside out. There are detox programs out there that require fasting like "Master Cleanse" a 10-day fasting program where you consume only lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper. But these are totally ineffective and one of the worst things you can do for proper detoxification. Fasting causes your body to do the exact opposite of flushing toxins out of your body and instead it holds on to fat tissue in particular, which is where you store most of your toxins. Another factor to consider is when you are properly detoxifying and flushing the toxins out and are not replacing that newly created space in your cells with nutrients your body will likely grab onto another toxin. Your body needs a specific set of nutrients found in whole organic natural foods in order to perform a proper detox.

2. If you eat healthy you do not need to detox. 
We are exposed to more and more chemicals every year. There are over 3,000 chemicals added to our food supply while over 10,000 chemical solvents like emulsifiers and preservatives used to process our food. Even if you eat healthy you are still exposed to toxins in your environment that are impossible to control. Eating healthy is great but if your cells are full of toxins your body cannot absorb the nutrients of all the healthy food you are eating. A cell is a singular space, so if its holding onto a toxin by definition it cannot hold a nutrient, you can't get two things into a single space. To get the most of your healthy food you should aim to detox every 3 months to keep your body absorbing all the good vitamins and minerals so that your body can be healthy and strong.

3. There is no real benefit to detoxing. 
Toxins accumulate in your body over time. If you think about it for even a second the concept of flushing toxins out of your body makes complete sense. We as a society take in an enormous amount of toxins every day then eat food that does nothing to help nourish and cleanse the body and instead puts more toxins in the body. Toxins stay trapped in our bodies contributing to the obesity epidemic, cancer, heart disease, auto immune disorders; I could really go on and on for pages about the damage toxins have on your body. When you are putting so many toxins in your body it would only make sense that a regular detox is necessary and essential to your health. Detoxing allows your body to unlock and eliminate these harmful toxins before they build up in your body.

If you experience; fatigue or are constantly tired, bloating, cravings for are continually snacking, get headaches or migraines, have allergies or skin disorders, are anxious or depressed, or have digestive problems such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach aches, and indigestion then you absolutely would benefit from detoxing. These are all signals your body gives you that it's on toxicity overload and needs attention.

4. Detox is expensive and should be done in a clinic.
Detoxing is very affordable and you do not need to be supervised by a medical professional while cleansing. If you have a health concern as always you should discuss it with your health care professional. You should not detox if you are pregnant or nursing and is not recommended for children.

5. Detox is just for the liver and colon. 
Your liver is the second largest organ in your body performing over 500 tasks! Obviously when you detox you are cleansing your liver and colon but that's not all. You are also cleansing your digestive system, your body tissues, and cells. Cleansing removes toxins and impurities from your whole body restoring and rejuvenating your mind, body, and spirit.

Detoxifying your body is essential to the overall maintenance of your body on the inside for optimal long-term health. After detoxing you'll notice you feel lighter, more energetic, and clear minded. You may notice your eyes are brighter and your complexion is radiant. These are all amazing signs that your body is healing itself from the inside out.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Diet And 'Acne Food' Explained

Why is diet so important for you to have clear and beautiful skin? Eating right will always help the health of your body. In fact, many diseases today are related to bad eating habits. So what is "acne food"? Essentially, foods that help your immune system, which then helps skin health too. When eaten, this acne food will help ensure that you have clear skin. It can be thought of as one of the pimple remedies that you do not apply onto the skin, but works internally instead.

A change in diet may clean you from the inside. It is commonly known that foods low in nutrition do not do your body any favours. The fact is that a pimple is, essentially, an infection. It appears red and inflamed due to inflammation triggered by acne bacteria. We can help our bodies fight off (and even prevent) these infections by ensuring our immune system is as strong as possible.

Acne food combines natural sugars and fats. If you eat something like a garden salad, then an avocado (for example) is a must for the fat component. In the same way, sugars with cold pressed olive oil and olive oil with orange juice will stabilize blood sugar level and discourage the break out of pimples and acne.

Also, an acne food diet consists of plenty of water and fresh juices that will help you to get rid of toxins. A balanced diet cuts out all excessively fatty and oily food like french fries, pizzas, potato chips, and processed foods, since they do not help the body. It should be noted that, despite the myths about these foods causing acne, the reason to avoid them is actually because they do not add to the body's nutrient intake. Fresh fruits, whole grained foods and plant based foods that are rich in minerals and vitamins are "acne food" that will help to benefit the overall health of acne sufferers, and your skin will show it.

Since an "acne food" diet consists of foods rich in nutrients a good example of an acne food snack would be a salad comprised of things such as well-ripened fresh fruit, tomatoes, cucumber and avocados, prepared with extra virgin olive oil, and even sushi (raw fish). It is said to be ideal if you consume 2 egg yolks and 50gms of raw fish a day (it is 5 egg yolks and 100gms of raw fish for a man). This type of acne food has redundant protein and can increase blood protein level in your body.

Often people in search of "pimple remedies" find only disappointment instead of true help. The fact is that information is the BEST of the pimple remedies. The reason's because it is in understanding skin that one can get rid of zits long-term and truly get clear skin.

By shifting the focus away from merely discovering how to get rid of zits to the bigger picture of understanding skin, it becomes much easier to not only get clear skin, but also keep it healthy.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Aloe Vera Juice Benefits

Aloe vera is known primarily for its cooling and soothing properties, especially for treating burns, irritation, and various skin conditions. But this herb has other uses, which are not as popular but certainly no less beneficial. Aloe vera juice benefits include improved digestion, blood circulation, detoxification, and pain relief.

Aloe vera gel is obtained from the leaves of the aloe plant, and may be applied topically or added to drinks. Aloe vera juice contains various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, B-complex, iron, copper, calcium, potassium, and manganese. It is also safe to drink daily - in fact, experts recommend drinking at least two glasses every day to obtain maximum aloe vera juice benefits. Here are some of the most common aloe vera juice benefits:

Digestive aid

Aloe vera juice stimulates colonic irrigation, the process of loosening and washing out waste materials from the digestive system. These include food residues, toxins, and bacteria. These wastes can clog the intestinal lining and prevent nutrients from getting fully absorbed. Studies show that taking aloe vera juice regularly over several weeks can help break down residues and improve colonic irrigation. It also regulates the production of stomach acids, preventing digestive problems like ulcer, acid indigestion, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Anti-inflammatory and pain relief

Aloe vera juice benefits people with rheumatoid arthritis analgesic and anti-inflammatory abilities. It helps relieve joint pain, reduce stiffness, and improves joint movement to prevent waste buildup. It also contains mucopolysaccharides, which are basic sugars essential in cell regeneration. This helps rebuild muscle tissues and disperse damaged cells. Its cooling ability also alleviates pain and inflammation.

Cancer and blood disease prevention

Another important element in aloe vera juice is acemannan, which is believed to increase the production of white blood cells. This helps the body fight bacteria and viruses, as well as prevent the growth of cancer cells. It is currently being studied for potential use against breast and ovarian cancer, leukemia, and diseases caused by low blood cell counts.

IMPORTANT: Aloe vera juice is considered a dietary supplement, so it is does not follow the same regulations as standard medicines. Some aloe vera products contain silica, starch, gluten, or other extenders that can hinder aloe vera juice benefits and even harm your health. To stay safe, buy only products that are GMP-compliant and avoid those that contain artificial additives, such as food colors and flavorings.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

6 Reasons Why You Should Detox Your Body | VIDEO

Detoxification is a great way to get you body cleaned from harmful unnecessary things that are stored in your body and give it a fresh start in order to feel better and boost your overall well-being. A lot of people are very critical whenever the word ‘detox’ is used but if it is done correctly, it can only be beneficial to your body because taking care of your internal body is just as important as taking care of your outside appearance.

We live in a world that too often feels out of balance. Add constant stress from busy schedules with too much fast food, throw in environmental pollutants, mercury from dental fillings, preservatives in foods, toxins from plastics, cleaning agents, and poor air quality, and it’s easy to see why our bodies may be suffering unhealthy consequences.

All this toxicity may be causing your body’s natural systems to function at less-than-optimal levels, and when your systems are under stress and out of balance, they can’t work as efficiently. Consequently, you may suffer from low energy, weight gain or loss, and weakened immunity. So what can you do to combat these negative effects?

6 good reasons why you should detox your body

1. Remove toxins from your body
Toxins are harmful substances and can be the reason why your skin does not look well, why your internal organs don’t work as they should and why your hormone balance is not as it should be. Toxins destroy your immune system storing themselves in cells throughout your body and block they way for everything good that should reach the vital parts for your body to function at its best.

2. Improve your immune system
Immune system is weakened and becomes vulnerable to illnesses when it is overloaded with toxins. This can seriously affect your quality of life and your daily activities. Right detox programme can help to strengthen your immune system.

3. Prevent chronic diseases
Our bodies are incredibly smart and have their own detox functions but now and then event the smartest systems need a bit of help and care. This is where detox can be very helpful in assisting and improving your body’s natural way of getting rid of toxins and other bad substances.

4. Improve mental and emotional state
Detox has a positive impact on our mental and emotional state. During detox, as we cleanse our bodies, also our mental state becomes clearer.

5. Increase energy and feel better
After detox you will feel much better mentally, physically, and emotionally. After detox course you will notice that you sleep better, have more energy during daytime, have much better mood, feel more energetic and happy.

6. Improve the quality of your skin
A lot of things that we use daily - personal care products, house cleaning items, free radicals and even certain foods can cause our skin to look dull, unhealthy and also age quicker. Detox will help your body to cleanse it inside which in turn will have a positive impact on your appearance and skin restoring its glow and healthiness.

For years, working in beauty sector, I have explored and studied different skincare products that I am happy to use myself and recommend to my clients. Knowing that detox is a vital part of achieving the best results also in skincare, I have explored different detox programmes and products in order to find the best available solutions that would guarantee the best results inside and out. Since I strongly believe that nature always have the best ingredients for everything that we need, I have sourced amazing natural products that I have tested myself and have been absolutely impressed with the results.

I always recommend that you carefully read the label of the products that you are going to use or ask advice to a trusted specialist who can make assessments and recommend the best that your body would need.
_________________________

If you are interested in more information about cleansing supplement Restoriix to support your body’s normal detoxification processes and to help you reach your peak balance potential, please get in touch with me: erica@peacheslime.ie. Restoriix ingredients have been gathered from around the world and combined to create a cleansing supplement that works in synergy with your body to restore its natural balance and vitality.

Restoriix features a combination of zeolite, charcoal, and nutrient-dense superfoods that attracts and removes free radicals and unwanted substances, balances pH levels, and supports healthy immune function. It will help rid your body of unwanted toxins and restore balance that may have been lost.

Restoriix contains:

• Zeolite - natural volcanic minerals with honeycomb-like structure. It works at the cellular level as a magnet to trap unwanted materials and free radicals to it. Zeolite supports healthy immune function, maintains balanced pH levels, boosts healthy alkalinity levels which supports the body’s natural defenses.
• Chlorella - a pure green algae rich in chlorophyll that aids in processing oxygen, thus supporting the body’s natural cleansing processes in key elimination systems such as the bowel, liver, and blood. It supports immune function and healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels, helping to digest food more efficiently.
• Activated Charcoal of Willow Tree Bark - it can bond to and carry thousands of times its own weight in toxins and other chemicals. Because of these properties, activated charcoal is a commonly used decontamination agent around the world.
• Organic Spirulina - derived from fresh-water algae, provides protein, iron, vitamins, minerals, and many essential micronutrients often missing in the diet due to irregular eating habits, hectic lifestyle, or lack of proper dietary knowledge.
• Chia Seeds - a very abundant source of omega-3 fatty acids and is high in antioxidants. Chia seeds are also full of fiber and trace elements like calcium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, molybdenum, zinc, and more.
• Chlorophyllin - one of the most powerful life-giving substances on the planet and the pigment that gives green foods their color. Chlorophyll-rich foods have a very deep green color, and they are useful in building new blood cells and purifying the body. Chlorophyll also assists in oral hygiene and deodorization of the body.

5 Ways Activated Charcoal Will Benefit Your Life

What if you could soak up poisons and improve intestinal health from a small black pill? No, this 'magical' isn't something like the pill on the Matrix. Instead, it's made from insoluble carbonized wood that's oxidized by gases at high temperatures.

For over 10,000 years, healers from Chinese medicine have used it for it's absorption capabilities. Just 2 grams of activated charcoal powder has nearly the same surface area as a football field. Now imagine the powerful impact this has in your stomach.

Photo: Via Makansutra

A detoxifying super giant

The oxidative process that creates activated charcoals creates very fine pores and results in it's ability to absorb 100 times its weight in toxins, bacteria, chemicals, and unwanted medications.

When the charcoal enters your system it attaches to the foreign bodies so that they are passed out of the body by elimination. This prevents you from replicating or absorbing certain material into your bloodstream. Many air and water filters use charcoal for it's absorption capabilities. 

When you bought a Brita you may have seen black in the water during your first flush. Aquasana takes this a step further with it's 3 stage filtration using activated carbon, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration to significantly increase surface area. There's a reason charcoal has been used for 10,000+ years and so many companies use it for toxin absorption. So why are you missing out?

Photo: Via Coalisthenewblack.com

Activated charcoal benefits

By now you know that activated carbon has a pretty hefty way to absorb foreign material. But what does this mean for you? Will your poop turn black, will it absorb your food nutrients, and will it flush out your good gut flora? Not quite. It binds to foreign invaders, toxins that shouldn't be allowed in your body. Think more along the lines of alcohol, crappy food, metals, and bacteria.

Here are the distinct activated carbon benefits:

• Overall detoxification: Chronic exposure to toxins will create cellular damage, allergic reactions, poor immunity, and increased aging. By taking activated charcoal you'll remove this unwanted toxins from your body.


• Relieves digestive issues: Upon digesting foods like beans, the decomposition from bacteria creates unruly gas or diarrhea. You remember the song "bean, beans, the magical fruit... " don't you? Activated charcoal binds to the byproducts created by bacteria and alleviates these digestive issues.


• Neutralizer for drugs, chemicals, poisons & alcohol: If you ingest poisons such as alcohol, chlorine, or unwanted drugs, taking a single large dose of activated carbon will help your body flush the poisons faster. Activated charcoal adsorbs most organic chemicals, many inorganic chemicals, drugs, pesticides, mercury, and even lead, before they harm your body.


• Anti-aging: As you age your brain becomes incredibly sensitive to toxins. Activated carbon slows this rate and encourages better cognitive function. It also prevents many cellular changes associated with aging, adrenal gland, and kidney function.


• Heart health: Activated charcoal lowers the amount of total lipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides in your blood, liver, heart, and brain.

Photo: Via Journalofnaturalmedicine.com

When should you take activated charcoal?

Let me clear something up. Taking activated charcoal isn't your excuse to force feed toxins through your mouth. Overdoing alcohol, drinking poor quality water and eating bad food will always result in a worse you.

However, there are times you should take advantage of activated charcoal:

• Take it when you've had one too many drinks
• Take it when you have to eat at a subpar restaurant with poor quality meat and produce
• When you feel yourself getting tired or moody
• Put it on your toothbrush for stained teeth
• Take it when you feel bloated or have stomach pains
• It is helpful for jet lag
• Take it during pregnancy to bind toxins

Activated charcoal benefits are many! Whether you're using it to correct indirect digestion of foreign material, or to help with poor decisions you made, it's a must have remedy in your daily arsenal.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Do Not Neglect Bloating Stomach

The medical term for stomach bloating is 'abdominal distension'. Stomach bloating is usually caused by irregular functioning of the digestive system. Due to the malfunctioning of the digestive system gases are emitted out at a rapid rate and these gases get caught in your tummy causing your stomach to bloat. Stomach bloating is often found in women and in some cases they even gain considerable weight due to bloating. First of all, what makes our stomach bloat?

As a remedy for stomach bloating tummy and abdomen exercises have been suggested by many. But the truth is that, reason for the bloating of your stomach lies within your body. Hence, stomach bloating should be cured from within. A bloating stomach is not only a matter of discomfort to the individual but is also a social embarrassment. Who would want to walk around with a bloating stomach? Unhealthy colon, parasitic invasion of your digestive system, intestinal gases, fatty foods, flatulent foods- any of these factors can be contributing towards the bloating of your stomach. Foods that might lead to stomach bloating are dairy products, artificial gums and sugars, fatty foods, beans, peas, lettuce and cabbage. A high fiber diet also might lead to stomach bloating.

If you don't prefer medications made out of chemicals then you can use herbal medicines to get rid of stomach bloating. Several alternative treatments have specific medicines for treating stomach bloating, belching and flatulence. If your stomach is bloating because of harmful bacteria or parasites in your intestine then you should go for a colon cleansing program. You can even try colonic hydro cleansing therapy which fast, easy and reliable for getting your intestine cleaned. Several healing programs that are aimed to cure stomach bloating involve probiotics, supplementary vitamins, special enzymes that will assist the digestive system in reducing the intestinal gas. They deal with acid reflux as well. Avoid eating foods that might produce gas in your body. Change your dietary habits and start eating a balanced diet. Do not talk while eating. Eat slowly and chew your food properly. Do not drink too much of water or carbonated drinks while eating.#

Photo: Juicing-for-health.com

Fatty foods, junk food containing high amount of cholesterol should be avoided by all means. In case, you have lactose intolerance avoid taking dairy products. Artificial sweeteners, gums and chocolates also should be taken in limited amounts only. Once you start experiencing stomach bloating, observe the kind of foods you are taking and find out which vegetable or fruit or food is not going with your body. Avoid taking that particular food item in future. Stomach bloating, flatulence, abdomen cramps, belching all these denote bad food habits and improper functioning of your digestive system. The next time your stomach starts bloating, don't blame it on your tummy alone. Check your lifestyle also.

Consumption alcohol, smoking etc also indirectly influence the working of your digestive system. Do not use any medication without consulting a doctor. In case you are using homemade herbal remedies for treating your bloating stomach and if you happen to face any discomfort stop using those herbs immediately and rush to a doctor. Put an end to stomach bloating today for a healthier & happier life.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

6 Reasons Why You Should Detox Your Body | VIDEO

Detoxification is a great way to get your body cleaned from harmful unnecessary things and give it a fresh start in order to feel better and boost your overall well-being. A lot of people are very critical whenever the word ‘detox’ is used but if it is done correctly, it can only be beneficial to you because taking care of your internal body is just as important as taking care of your outside appearance.

We live in a world that too often feels out of balance. Add constant stress from busy schedules with too much fast food, throw in environmental pollutants, mercury from dental fillings, preservatives in foods, toxins from plastics, cleaning agents, and poor air quality, and it’s easy to see why our bodies may be suffering unhealthy consequences. All this toxicity may be causing your body’s natural systems to function at less-than-optimal levels, and when your systems are under stress and out of balance, they can’t work as efficiently. Consequently, you may suffer from low energy, weight gain or loss, and weakened immunity. So what can you do to combat these negative effects?

6 good reasons why you should detox your body

1. Remove toxins from your body

Toxins are harmful substances and can be the reason why your skin does not look well, why your internal organs don’t work as they should and why your hormone balance is not as it should be. Toxins destroy your immune system storing themselves in cells throughout your body and block they way for everything good that should reach the vital parts for your body to function at its best.

2. Improve your immune system

Immune system is weakened and becomes vulnerable to illnesses when it is overloaded with toxins. This can seriously affect your quality of life and your daily activities. Right detox programme can help to strengthen your immune system.

3. Prevent chronic diseases

Our bodies are incredibly smart and have their own detox functions but now and then event the smartest systems need a bit of help and care. This is where detox can be very helpful in assisting and improving your body’s natural way of getting rid of toxins and other bad substances.

4. Improve mental and emotional state

Detox has a positive impact on our mental and emotional state. During detox, as we cleanse our bodies, also our mental state becomes clearer.

5. Increase energy and feel better

After detox you will feel much better mentally, physically, and emotionally. After detox course you will notice that you sleep better, have more energy during daytime, have much better mood, feel more energetic and happy.

6. Improve the quality of your skin

A lot of things that we use daily - personal care products, house cleaning items, free radicals and even certain foods can cause our skin to look dull, unhealthy and also age quicker. Detox will help your body to cleanse it inside which in turn will have a positive impact on your appearance and skin restoring its glow and healthiness.

‍For years, working in beauty sector, I have explored and studied different skincare products that I am happy to use myself and recommend to my clients. Knowing that detox is a vital part of achieving the best results also in skincare, I have explored different detox programmes and products in order to find the best available solutions that would guarantee the best results inside and out. Since I strongly believe that nature always have the best ingredients for everything that we need, I have sourced amazing natural products that I have tested myself and have been absolutely impressed with the results.

I always recommend that you carefully read the label of the products that you are going to use or ask advice to a trusted specialist who can make assessments and recommend the best that your body would need.

_________________________

If you are interested in more information about cleansing supplement Restoriix to support your body’s normal detoxification processes and to help you reach your peak balance potential, please get in touch with me: erica [at] peacheslime.ie. Restoriix ingredients have been gathered from around the world and combined to create a cleansing supplement that works in synergy with your body to restore its natural balance and vitality.

Restoriix features a combination of zeolite, charcoal, and nutrient-dense superfoods that attracts and removes free radicals and unwanted substances, balances pH levels, and supports healthy immune function. It will help rid your body of unwanted toxins and restore balance that may have been lost.

Restoriix contains:

* Zeolite - natural volcanic minerals with honeycomb-like structure. It works at the cellular level as a magnet to trap unwanted materials and free radicals to it. Zeolite supports healthy immune function, maintains balanced pH levels, boosts healthy alkalinity levels which supports the body’s natural defenses.

* Chlorella - a pure green algae rich in chlorophyll that aids in processing oxygen, thus supporting the body’s natural cleansing processes in key elimination systems such as the bowel, liver, and blood. It supports immune function and healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels, helping to digest food more efficiently.

* Activated Charcoal of Willow Tree Bark - it can bond to and carry thousands of times its own weight in toxins and other chemicals. Because of these properties, activated charcoal is a commonly used decontamination agent around the world.

* Organic Spirulina - derived from fresh-water algae, provides protein, iron, vitamins, minerals, and many essential micro-nutrients often missing in the diet due to irregular eating habits, hectic lifestyle, or lack of proper dietary knowledge.

* Chia Seeds - a very abundant source of omega-3 fatty acids and is high in antioxidants. Chia seeds are also full of fiber and trace elements like calcium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, molybdenum, zinc, and more.

* Chlorophyllin - one of the most powerful life-giving substances on the planet and the pigment that gives green foods their color. Chlorophyll-rich foods have a very deep green color, and they are useful in building new blood cells and purifying the body. Chlorophyll also assists in oral hygiene and deodorization of the body.

Drink Water To Keep Your Body Working Properly

Water flows through every cell in our bodies, supporting blood flow, toxin removal and production and transmission of important enzymes and hormones. If your body has too little water, these essential functions will be compromised and that can lead to serious chronic health conditions. Drinking good, clean pure water helps our bodies to perform at optimal levels and it sustains our health.

Luckily, we receive a couple of early signals if the water levels in our bodies are too low. The first is thirst. The second is the color of our urine. If you ignore the thirst signal, you may already be slightly dehydrated, so if you then notice that your urine is a dark yellow color you can be sure that you are dehydrated and must drink water soon. If you continue to ignore these simple signals, then the next batch of signals you receive will seem a little more severe, including fatigue, moodiness, hunger, aches and pains, and dry skin.

If you fail to recognize any of those symptoms by not bringing water to the rescue, then unfortunately the next batch of signals you may get are likely to be the result of damage caused by the breakdown of essential bodily functions. Symptoms of chronic dehydration include heartburn, constipation, anxiety, urinary tract infections, premature aging and high cholesterol.

Simply drinking water regularly throughout the day keeps all the essential functions working. You can avoid many ailments that may be treated with harsh pharmaceuticals that often produce their own list of undesired side effects. During warm summer months or periods of exercise, increase your consumption of water as your body eliminates a lot more water through perspiration to keep you cool - another benefit of staying hydrated.

Your blood is about ninety-two percent water. Maintaining the water levels in your blood supports efficient blood flow to organs and helps to prevent high blood pressure. This is also critical during times of sleep and times of stress when the body produces hormones to help keep the body strong and balanced. A well-hydrated body also regulates histamine production, which controls our immune system's response to allergies and other elements. Over-production of histamines can create the symptoms of allergies such as stuffy nose, itchy eyes and sneezing.

Your body needs water to flush itself of toxins. Two systems are responsible for eliminating most of the toxins from your body. The first is your skin. If you are dehydrated, your skin holds toxins that would otherwise we eliminated and you may develop skin irritations. The second is your digestive system. Water helps to keep food moving through your digestive tract, which allows toxins and pathogenic microbes to be eliminated naturally. Constipation may contribute to other digestive disorders including bladder infections, ulcers, acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.

Sometimes we misinterpret the thirsty signal and assume we are hungry instead, even though we may have consumed a meal just a short while ago. In a dehydrated state, your cells cry out for sustenance and your brain signals you to get more food. Keeping yourself hydrated will keep the cells well supplied with water and you can avoid inadvertently adding on extra pounds.

Drinks that are high in caffeine such as coffee and soda are not good choices for hydrating your body. They are natural diuretics, which serve to accelerate the dehydration process. Drinks high in sugar, such as soda, juice drinks and the new flavored water products, provide too much sugar to your system, which only creates other health and weight-gain issues. Drink plain, pure water often and throughout the day. Start the day with warm water and add a little juice squeezed from a lemon. Pay attention to the early signals, like thirst or hunger, when you should not be, and drink some water immediately to stay hydrated and keep your body performing at its best.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com