Labor Day Edition:The Neglected Elixer of Life
Happy Labor Day Everyone!
Today's topic takes me back to my college years and is all about "agua". I recall getting some sage-like wisdom from my barber a few years back, about how to avoid hangovers from wild nights at college parties 😆. Speaking of which, remember to stay hydrated while you're enjoying the Labor day festivities! Water is the only ingredient you need, but with all seriousness, today we will discuss waters influence on athletes, circulation, constipation/digestion, and pregnant women.
Weakness Leaving The Body)
Like I've said in one of my earlier posts, I used to be a picky eater up until the time I became a student-athlete high school. Many wrestlers before and after me, will undergo the crucible of "cutting weight" at some point during their careers. Had I known half of what I know now, back then, without a doubt I would have approached weight cutting differently. This timeless tradition that one has to endure in order to achieve the pinnacle of success in combat sports, is both rewarding and taxing at the same time. Although depriving oneself of food and water is never ideal, it instills those of us who have gone through it with a greater appreciation for the small things life has to offer. My inexperience early on with cutting weight came at the expense of me not drinking water for two days. Although I made weight and competed (after eating, and rehydrating to a certain degree,) I lost every single match due to exhaustion. According to WebMD "Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature." Athletes across the board know all too well our bodies most painful reminder of dehydration, "muscle cramps". A Charlie Horse is one thing, but the more dehydrated you are, the more severe the pain! Need a visual, well look no further than what happened to King James in Game 4 of the NBA Finals back in 2012.
It is no secret that pro athletes push their bodies to the max to reach peak performance levels. However the one group who needs to stay hydrated the most, are pregnant women.
Pregnancy, Digestion & Constipation 😓😖😠)
Sorry ladies, but due to factors outside your control, roughly half of you will become constipated at some point during pregnancy. Now according to www.babycenter.com "One reason for constipation during pregnancy is an increase in the hormone progesterone, which relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body, including the digestive tract." In layman's terms, this means that food passes through the intestines more slowly. Three things that can fix this problem are regular exercise(*consult with you're doctor), an increase in fiber-rich foods, and you guessed it drinking more H20. Well if you're pregnant www.babycenter.com recommends that you should "try to have 10 8-ounce cups of water or other beverages daily." However, if drinking water isn't exactly you're forte, I recommend you try "fruit infusions". Check out https://greenblender.com/smoothies/1529/fruit-infused-waters for some authentic DIY projects you can try in you're own kitchen. 
The greatest thing about fruit infusions is that they are probably the easiest thing in the world to create. All you need is one full glass of water(mason jar or reusable water bottle will do) freshly sliced fruit, and an active imagination. One starter fruit infusion recipe you can use to balance out the PH in you're system, clear up your skin, and flush out toxins is "lemon infused water".
Circulation )
Writing this blog made me realize how much I did not know about water and how underrated it is. Since the human body regulates itself often times we don't give it much thought. According to
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals "The water we drink is absorbed by the intestines, and circulated throughout the body in the form of body fluids such as blood. These perform various functions that keep us alive. They deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells and take away waste materials, which are then eliminated with urination. When the body temperature rises, blood circulation to the skin increases, enabling heat dissipation through sweating, helping to keep the body at a constant temperature".
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals "The water we drink is absorbed by the intestines, and circulated throughout the body in the form of body fluids such as blood. These perform various functions that keep us alive. They deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells and take away waste materials, which are then eliminated with urination. When the body temperature rises, blood circulation to the skin increases, enabling heat dissipation through sweating, helping to keep the body at a constant temperature".
Hopefully, this article gave you all some insight into why drinking water is so important. Feel free to enjoy the holiday, just remember to stay hydrated, be positive, and have fun!
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