The best liquid to add to the diet is water.    This of course is not a Caribbean phenomena,  but is essential for good health.

A variety of symptoms can be traced to a lack of water intake.   These symptoms include: constipation, dry and itchy skin, acne, nose bleeds, repeated urinary tract infections, dry and unproductive coughs, constant sneezing, sinus pressure and headaches.  Over a long period of time more serious problems can occur because of the build up of toxic wastes which have not been efficiently cleared from the body.

This is how a lack of water intake can cause this wide array of symptoms. Water is required by every cell in the body as nourishment and to remove wastes. When water becomes scarce, the body tries to limit the amount it loses through breathing, mucous production, urination, perspiration and bowel movements.

Obviously, we all lose some water through urination and urination is required for the removal of various toxins from the body. When fluid volume is diminished, the ability of the body to remove toxins through urination is also diminished. It is a common misunderstanding that the more water we drink, the harder it is on the kidneys. In fact, the opposite is true. Water soluble toxins cannot be easily removed through the bowels, especially when a lack of water also causes constipation. These toxins then must be eliminated in other ways such as through the skin. The increase in body toxin levels can cause headaches and fatigue. The attempt by the body to remove excess levels of unwanted chemicals through the skin can cause acne and will aggravate eczema.

The easy solution to all these problems is to drink more water.  Most people will drink plenty of fluids eg. coffee, tea and juices and fizzy drinks, but not enough water.  Coffee, tea and fizzy drinks all contain caffeine which is a known diuretic and will actually accentuate the symptoms of fluid loss.  Fruit juices are more concentrated in sugar than your body's fluids and so the body will attempt to dilute them in the gut thereby causing a loss of water from other areas of the body.

Water aids fat loss.   The levels of oxygen in the bloodstream are greater when the body is well hydrated. The more oxygen the body has readily available the more fat it will burn for energy. Without the presence of oxygen the body cannot utilize stored fat for energy efficiently. Not only will the body burn more fat when well hydrated but because the increased oxygen levels you will also have more energy.

Drink water, it will do your body good!