Growing up my grandma would frequently give this response when we asked for something to drink, “You’re in luck, we have Nature’s Punch!” She made it sound so exciting that as kids we loved asking for Nature’s Punch on hot summer days in Florida.
We were too young to understand any health benefits of water, we just knew it quenched our thirst and fueled us to keep running around playing soccer or hide and seek. It is great when healthy habits start early. Fast forward to adulthood I still love water in all its forms, and want to share a few of the wonderful ways water can enhance your health.
Water is Worth your While. Water should be your go-to drink. It hydrates your body without all the extra sugar, preservatives and excess calories that your body does not need. Did you know that one 12 oz bottle of malt or ginger ale has about 36 grams of sugar – 9 teaspoons of sugar! That’s more than your daily allowance in 1 drink.
Water, on the other hand, has so many benefits like supporting healthy digestion, the absorption of nutrients from food, and softening stool to prevent constipation.
Staying hydrated with water can help to normalize normal blood pressure, and for all the glamour girls water helps keep your skin fresh and tight by maintaining your skin’s elasticity. This allows your skin to repair itself better from cuts, preventing scars, and delaying the appearance of soft lines and wrinkles as we age.
Water is life! So the next time you are looking for refreshment, reach for water – you can even add lemon, fruit slices, or try seltzer or sparkling water if you’re fancy – your future self will thank you!
And you can encourage healthy habits early for the little ones in your life by offering Nature’s Punch!
Written by: Franciel Ikeji MS, RD, LD January 2022
