by Michy Lynn

Created on: February 06, 2010

There are so many exciting, refreshing, flavorful beverages from which to choose, but when it comes right down to it, there's nothing we can drink that beats an ice-cold glass of crystal clear plain old water.

When hot and sweaty, water quenches a thirst in a way no other beverage can. We can drink it, bathe in it, cool off with it, and our bodies are mostly comprised of it. Is it any wonder water is so wonderful when we really feel our thirstiest?

More than that, water helps our kidneys function properly for eliminating waste. Water helps the liver metabolize better. Water helps our skin stay supple and youthful for longer. The more water we drink, the healthier we will usually be. Many conditions and disorders require increasing water intake and many medications recommend taking with plenty of water.

Drinking ice water before a meal and during a meal will help with weight loss, because it helps the body feel full faster and it will slow down the digestion process, making the body feel full longer too. Water helps with digestion and aids with preventing heartburn and acid problems in the stomach.

Then to top everything else off, water is the base fluid in almost all the beverages we love to drink, such as: tea, coffee, lemonade, punches, some juices (such as concentrates) and it's water that makes the ice that chills and cools all of our favorite cold drinks.

So without water, we probably wouldn't be able to enjoy very many of the other beverages that are amongst the favorites.

Because of these conditions and issues, it's easy to see why water would be my favorite beverage. I'll take mine straight up, on the rocks, chilled, shaken, stirred, with a dash of fruit flavor, with some added vitamins and minerals, blended with juices and fruit… or just straight out of the fridge, nice and cold and refreshing.

Of course, I don't mind using water for long soaks in the tub or hour-long showers either, but then, I’m probably not going to be drinking bath or shower water any time soon. It just goes to show that water is the most versatile beverage there is. After all, we don't go swimming in orange juice, bathe with coffee, or take a steam sauna with milk, now do we?
Breakfast blend coffee in the morning, freshly squeezed orange juice with breakfast, a refreshing citrus soda with a light lunch, a glass of red wine with dinner and a frothy cappuccino for dessert… On a hot summer day, a glass of chilled icy lemonade, and who can resist the temptation of a minty mojito?

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