Health Tips for August 26

Health Tip: Why You Should Drink Water

"Drink more water." You hear this mantra everywhere, and with good reason.

More than two-thirds of your body weight is water, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Water lubricates the body, helps create saliva and joint fluid, helps keep your body at a healthy temperature, and helps prevent constipation.

The body obtains water as a byproduct of metabolism, and from what we eat and drink.

Drinking plain old water is the best option, of course. While sources such as juice, milk and soup can provide some water, caffeinated beverages and alcohol are diuretics that make the body excrete fluids and are not the best choices, the agency advises.

You should drink the equivalent of six to eight 8-ounce servings of water each day, suggests the NLM. Not drinking enough water can cause dehydration, which if severe enough, can be life-threatening.

Health Tip: Nutrition for Athletic Performance

If you've been training for an athletic event -- a big game, a marathon or other intense workout -- it's important to eat the right foods to support your body when it needs proper nutrition most.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these sports nutrition suggestions:

• Make sure that you eat three to four hours before your event.
• Prepare your body with a high-carbohydrate meal.
• Stick to foods that are easy for your body to digest; stay away from fried foods.
• Steer clear of high-sugar foods and drinks for at least an hour before your event.
• Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. One-to-two hours before, drink 20 ounces of water; 15-to-30 minutes before, drink another 10 to 15 ounces. If possible, drink 3 to 6 ounces every 10 to 20 minutes during the event.