What do you give your skin to drink?
You get home at seven o’clock, hungry and thirsty. Instinctively you head for the fridge, open it and take out an ice-cold beer or sugary drink. Products which are, despite their attractive advertising, an “industrial beverage”.
If that's you we suggest you keep reading...
SOFT DRINKS ARE BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH
They are full of sugar. A source of calories. They make you fat and create an addiction without giving you any nutritional benefit. They don’t quench your thirst but increase it. And worst of all, because of their diuretic effect, they make you dehydrated, so you lose more water than you take in.
Low-cal drinks are no better: numerous studies have shown that people who drink them are also more likely to be overweight or obese.
DRINK WATER AND FRESHLY SQUEEZED JUICE
It's tough. Especially if you're not used to it. But it can be done. Fruit with a high water content you can use to make juice with includes watermelon, melon, pineapple, pawpaw, mandarin, orange, pomegranate, tomato, strawberry and grapes, among others. As far as vegetables go, you have lettuce, spinach, cucumber, carrot, onion and Swiss chard.
In any case, it’s best to drink at least 2 litres of water during the day: 4 glasses of water itself and the rest in the form of herbal tea, non-alcoholic beverages and sugar-free freshly squeezed juice like the ones listed above.
DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE THIRSTY
Waiting until you're thirsty to drink is like turning up late on a first date. It doesn't bode well. Thirst is a sign the body emits like an alarm. That's why it's so important to get used to drinking throughout the day. The habit matters especially because, the older we get, the less clearly the body emits this signal of thirst.
FORGET EVERYTHING YOU'VE READ TO DATE
Diets, rules, norms... If you look after yourself and follow these recommendations, we also suggest you indulge every now and then - have that beer, wine or other beverage you fancy. After all, rules are made to be broken, too! #SmartAging attitude.
