The amount of water in your diet will significantly influence your long-term health. In cases of a healthy diet, most people can listen to the wisdom of their bodies and drink according to their thirst. Vegetables and fruits are generally 90% water and most grains and legumes are more than 80% water when cooked.

Those of us on a rich meat or salty foods diet usually have insufficient body fluids and should drink eight glasses of water per day. Insufficient water consumption causes toxicity, constipation, tension, tightness, overeating, dryness and kidney damage. Fluoridated water suppresses thyroid activity and chlorinated water destroys vitamin E.

Water is best consumed at least 30 minutes before and one hour after meals. Otherwise digestive enzymes and secretions are diluted and food nutrients are not effectively extracted. If you feel you need to drink something with your meal have only a few ounces of warm water, tea or an herbal tea.

 

Health Benefits of Tea

 

Tea is believed by researchers to have potential health benefits including cancer prevention, cardiovascular assistance, antiviral action and life extension.

The components in tea believed responsible for these benefits are the powerful antioxidants called catechins as well as flavonoids. Green tea contains a higher percentage of catechins than black tea. [Which is better for you? Click here to learn more about the health benefits of tea.]

Honey is valued for its many healing properties.

Treatment with honey is called “apitherapy” and is used to replenish energy, enhance physical stamina and strengthening after illness.

Honey can help calm, promote rejuvenating sleep, relieve indigestion and is used to treat respiratory ailments and cardiovascular disease.

Simple sugars, glucose, and fructose, predigested by bees, are quickly and easily absorbed in our digestive tracts. This provides us with a quick pick-me-up and yet has an overall calming effect. 

Other ingredients in honey are water, pollen, organic acids, enzymes and various proteins. Since honey contains pollen, eating honey harvested locally is thought to be useful for the relief of hay fever.

Additionally, the germ killing substance in honey, inhibine, helps prevent infections in minor wounds. Spread a thin layer over the wound and cover with a sterile bandage.