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How To Have A Healthy Heart
A healthy diet and lifestyle can go a long way when it comes to our heart health. Some of the best ways to look after your heart include eating a Mediterranean-style diet, hydrating with water, avoiding smoking, and getting some regular exercise. The good news is it's never too late to start making changes, but for many of us, that's easier said than done. Check out our water solutions now! In this blog post, we share simple and small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big difference to your overall heart health. Discover how to have a healthy heart! Eat a Mediterranean-Style Diet Eating like the Spanish and Italians can do a lot of good for our hearts. The Mediterranean way of eating is built around plant-based foods. It's rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and pulses with moderate amounts of lean meat, oily fish, and dairy. There's strong scientific evidence to suggest that a Mediterranean-style diet can help to lower our risk of heart disease and strokes. Snack on Nuts Consuming a handful of nuts several times a week has also been shown to reduce our risk of heart disease. Nuts can help to lower 'bad' LDL cholesterol levels, which have been associated with heart disease. Remember to choose unsalted nuts, as too much salt in the diet can raise blood pressure. A portion of nuts is one ounce (30g), which is equivalent to a small, cupped handful. Stop Smoking Avoiding smoking is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. Nearly 20,000 heart and circulatory deaths in the UK are linked to smoking each year. The good news is it's never too late to quit smoking - experts say that you can experience improvements in breathing in as little as 2-12 weeks after quitting. There's plenty of support available if you're ready to stop smoking. Move More! Most of us know that getting some regular exercise is good for our heart health. It's recommended that we try to do some exercise for 30 minutes per day at least five days per week. This doesn't mean you need to pound away on a treadmill. From walking to cycling to dancing, there are so many options available. The most important thing is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and can keep up in the long term. Cut Down on Booze Drinking too much alcohol in the long run has been linked with an increased risk of heart disease. In fact, some scientists go as far as saying there's no healthy level of alcohol intake. Like everything, it's all about moderation. Remember to try to stick to the recommended drinking guidelines - no more than 14 units of alcohol per week with several alcohol-free days. 14 units of alcohol are equivalent to: 6 pints of beer 9 small (125ml) glasses of wine 14 shots of spirits 6 large (175ml) glasses of wine Drink More Water If you're trying to cut down on booze or you're trying to lose weight, water is the perfect solution for heart-healthy hydration. It's sugar-free, fat-free, and calorie-free! We should all be aiming to drink at least two litres of water per day. Don't forget to carry a refillable water bottle with you when you're out and about to help cut down on single-use plastic. Using a ceramic water filter system helps to reduce common contaminants from drinking water, improving the taste and odour. Learn more about the health benefits of drinking filtered water here. Check out our water solutions now!
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Water And Weight Loss: What's The Link?
In January, lots of people's thoughts turn to weight loss. From juicing to intermittent fasting to appetite suppressant pills, there are so many options available, all promising dramatic weight loss. However, all too often, people find that after a while, they've regained the weight lost, which can be frustrating and demotivating. Most people know that to maintain their weight loss, they need to follow a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise. However, drinking enough water is another important part of the puzzle. This article looks at the link between water and weight loss. So, 'does drinking water help you lose weight?' Check out our water solutions now! A natural, zero-calorie beverage With no added calories or fat, drinking water is the drink of choice when it comes to losing weight. People who replace other high-calorie beverages (such as fizzy drinks) with water are shown to consume fewer calories. What's more, water is naturally sugar-free. Eating too much sugar has been associated with health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. To enhance the taste of your water, you can add natural flavourings to your water, such as fresh fruit and herbs (i.e. mint) or no-added-sugar fruit squash. You can also use a water filter, which removes impurities in the water that might affect the quality and taste. Maintain your energy levels Dehydration can trigger dips in energy and feelings of tiredness. When you're feeling tired and low on energy, you're less likely to be physically active, which can hinder your weight loss efforts. Ensuring that you stay hydrated can help support you in staying active and healthy. Most adults should aim to drink two to three litres of fluid per day. Little and often If you're thirsty, it's a sign that you're already dehydrated. The body can only absorb a certain amount of water at one time (approximately a quarter of a litre every 15 minutes), so the rest of it will simply be excreted as urine. Therefore, the best way to maintain hydration is to sip on water (and other sugar-free beverages such as tea and coffee) throughout the day. Help maintain your hydration levels by carrying around a water filter bottle and sipping from it regularly. Confused cravings Thirst and hunger signals are processed by the same area of the brain. This means that we can mistake thirst for hunger, which can lead to cravings for high fat, high sugar snacks. Whenever you experience cravings, try drinking a glass of water and waiting 15 minutes. If the cravings go away, you were just thirsty! Sipping water regularly throughout the day can help prevent this from happening. Helps you feel fuller If overeating at meals is an issue for you, try drinking a glass of water before you eat to fill you up. It's been shown to reduce the amount of food consumed at mealtimes, contributing to weight loss. Eat your water Whilst drinking water is important, the foods that you eat also contribute toward your hydration status. Not only do fruits and vegetables provide us with fibre and other important nutrients, but they also contain high amounts of water. For example, strawberries, oranges, and peaches are made up of around 90% water, whilst lettuce, celery, and courgettes contain around 95% water. Other hydrating foods include soups, stews and casseroles, and certain dairy products (i.e. yoghurt and cottage cheese). Enjoy the taste of Doulton filtered water Protect your health by drinking quality filtered water and embrace sustainability by using a Doulton Water Filter, while turning your back on single-use plastic. To add a Doulton Water Filter to your home, find the filtration system that is right for your family from our range. Check out our water solutions now!
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Stick To Your New Year's Resolutions: How Drinking...
January is a time of year when many of us resolve to change our ways, starting again with a clean slate. For people who have previously had a bad year or who have seen healthy habits fall by the wayside, the New Year has a powerful effect of helping you to feel positive and embark on a new beginning. Check out our water solutions now! Making small and meaningful changes, such as drinking more water, getting some daily exercise, or finding time for relaxation, can go a long way. Below are the top tips to assist with sticking to your New Year's resolutions. Sticking to your New Year's resolutions Following habit-forming advice can help you stick to your New Year's resolutions in the long term. The habit formation process begins with an 'initiation phase' where we choose what our new habit will be (i.e. drinking more water). This is followed by a 'learning phase' during which the habit is consistently repeated to strengthen the new behaviour. Finally, you will reach the 'stability phase' where the habit is formed and you do it without much effort. The science shows that the process of forming a new habit can take around ten weeks. Making a new healthy habit Psychologists say that making a new habit requires you to do the following: Decide what goal you want to achieve for better health (i.e. drinking more water) Choose a simple action that will help you meet your goal daily (i.e. taking a water filter bottle with you) Plan when and where you will do your chosen action (i.e. filling your water bottle at home every morning before going to work) Every time you encounter that time and place, do your chosen action Within ten weeks, you should find yourself doing your new habit automatically Dry January How drinking water will help you stay alcohol-free Whether you have overdone it over the festive period, crept into the habit of drinking when you get in from work, or you just want to focus on a healthier version of yourself, Dry January is an excellent time to cut out the booze. With plenty of people jumping on the wagon, you will not be going in alone when it comes to forming this new healthy habit. However, if alcohol is off the menu, the question is, what drink will you be enjoying instead? Drinking water is a great way to reduce your alcohol intake, and if you follow the habit-forming advice above, you may find that your evening glass of wine or pint in the pub seems less tempting in the long term. Here is how drinking water supports Dry January: Staying hydrated will stop you from building up a thirst and craving a cold beer Drinking water helps to keep your mind focused and sharp, giving you the energy and resolve to stick to Dry January Drinking a glass of water as your first choice will fill you up, helping to put you off having another drink There are no added calories in water, making it a good non-alcoholic drink that won't affect your waistline Drinking water is one way to reduce your intake of sugary drinks, which, when consumed to excess, is associated with health problems such as type 2 diabetes and obesity Drinking water is a cornerstone in a healthy lifestyle, supporting healthy eating and exercise Enjoy the taste of filtered water Choosing to drink more water is a simple, realistic, and achievable New Year's resolution for most people. To enjoy the best taste and quality of water, use a water filter. Doulton water filters remove up to 99.99% of common contaminants, including chlorine and microplastics (down to 0.5 microns). Doulton water filters make a range of high-quality water filters to suit all homes. Discover which water filter is best for you to enjoy the taste of Doulton filtered water. Check out our water solutions now!
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What A Difference A Decade Makes: Sustainable Living,...
A decade on, and the world seems to have changed immeasurably, with wellness and the environment commanding our attention. Just 10 years ago, as we entered this decade, plastic pollution, while most definitely a problem, had not truly entered into mass consciousness. We all knew too much sugar was bad for us, but the scale of the problem was perhaps not realised to its full extent. And while we were all aware that rest and diet were essential to health,˜ wellness' as a lifestyle was undoubtedly not branded in the same way. Check out our water solutions now! Social media, television and the passage of time - as relayed through news reports - have woken the public at large up to the need for better diets, more sustainable living and a respect for our bodies and the planet. Say goodbye to single-use plastic, choose filtered water It was only in the last couple of years that the war on plastic really took hold, yet now it is commonplace for parents to choose stainless steel refillable water bottles for their children, commuters to carry their own travel coffee cups and for families to shun products in single-use packaging. These issues are close to the heart of Doulton Water Filters. As a water filtration company, our message is to drink water healthily and sustainably. With a rich heritage in the ceramics industry, Doulton uses all-natural clay as a base to create world-class water filters that target contaminants in drinking water, just as we have done for more than 185 years. It is no news that water is good for you; it is essential to life, but the good that choosing water as a drink can do for your health has risen in prominence as the focus shifted to wellbeing and looking after yourself in a 24-hour society. Drinking water helps to improve concentration in adults and children alike, flushes out toxins, hydrates the skin, supports brain health and aids weight loss. It is also a much better choice for your teeth than sugar-filled fizzy drinks. Unfortunately, the prevalence of stress and obesity in the last decade has pushed the need for healthier options into the spotlight, such as drinking water, taking more exercise and getting five portions of fruit and veg a day. Drinking more water is a simple step to take. Choosing tap water instead of bottled water will even save you money. Taking longevity and sustainable living into the new decade Change begins in the home, where quality can influence decision-making. The improved taste and odour of Doulton filtered water should encourage all the family to drink more water and to take it with them when they leave the house, rather than buy bottled water. Doulton Water Filters is an emblem of longevity and quality through the standards of water filtration that have seen our product remain as relevant today as it was 185 years ago. Sustainability and longevity will continue to gain importance through the next decade, as will health and well-being. Protect your health by drinking quality filtered water and embrace sustainability by using a Doulton Water Filter, while turning your back on single-use plastic. To add a Doulton Water Filter to your home, find the filtration system that is right for your family from our range. Discover the Doulton difference and raise a glass to a new decade of improved wellbeing and sustainable living. Check out our water solutions now!
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Doulton® Discuss Microplastic Dangers In 'Healthy Food Guide'
We all know that drinking water is a no-brainer for good health, but warnings of microplastic particles in the water supply are off-putting. We collaborated with dietitian Harriet Smith to look at how to address the potential dangers in an article for the Healthy Food Guide. Check out our water solutions now! What are microplastics? Microplastics may be invisible to the eye, but the tiny plastic particles, 5mm or smaller, are found in clothing and beauty products and may also come from the breakdown of larger plastic items. Sadly, these microplastics can then enter our water through surface run-off, via wastewater that enters rivers and oceans, pollution in the atmosphere transported by wind and snow and from mineral water bottles. How do microplastics enter our bodies? We consume microplastics in various ways. In food, for example, high sources of microplastics are commonly found in beer, salt, and shellfish. However, the main source is drinking water. A new study from the University of Newcastle, Australia, found the average person consumes 1,769 particles (about 5g) of plastic every week from bottled and tap water. How badly we're affected depends on where we live: there's twice as much microplastic found in the US and India as in European or Indonesian water. Are microplastics harmful? Scientists suspect that microplastics pose a bigger health hazard than previously thought. The long-term effects are not clear, but studies are underway. Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London and author of The Diet Myth, says, 'We know virtually nothing about the potential risks of humans accumulating plastic in our intestines, and exactly how our gut microbes will respond to these synthetic chemicals - but it's unlikely to be good news.' How can we take action against microplastics? To avoid consuming microplastics through drinking water, we advise using a Doulton® water filter system. Our systems are designed to remove microplastic particles (and other contaminants) from drinking water. Other ways that you can take action against microplastic consumption are as follows: Reduce our use of plastics in general, which will mean fewer microplastics enter our environment. Avoid single-use plastic water bottles and use refillable, non-plastic bottles. Tap water is better for the environment and, of course, cheaper. Consider a bottle with a water filter or a water filter system in your home or office space. These are designed to remove microplastic particles (and other contaminants) from drinking water. So far, we've relied on laboratory testing by the manufacturers only, but these filters appear to be effective. Support a ban on the use of microplastics in make-up, flushable wet wipes, sun cream, and detergents. The Marine Conservation Society has lobbied successfully for a microbeads ban in personal care products. Take control with a Doulton® water filter A Doulton® water filter can remove plastic microparticles down to 0.5 microns, giving you peace of mind about what is in the water you drink. Despite the widespread news coverage of plastic pollution, 2019 also saw the revelation that plastic production is still set to double in the next 20 years. Make the Doulton® difference and reduce single-use plastic. Have a say on what is in your water by using a Doulton® water filter and play your part in cutting single-use plastic by choosing tap water. Check out our water solutions now!
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Plastic and Pollution: What Have We Learned in...
Plastic pollution will remain a problem for years to come but hopefully, action taken today can reduce the impact that our choices have on the planet. It was in December 2017 that the horrific impact of plastic pollution on the natural world was brought to the widescale attention of the public in a hard-hitting episode of Blue Planet. While the year that followed saw a surge in awareness and pledges to cut plastic, 2019 has seen further action to reduce single-use plastic waste. Check out our water solutions now! Microplastics in drinking water Alarmingly, though, there have been mounting concerns about the impact of plastic pollution on our lives as well as the natural world. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the revelation that microplastics have found their way into our drinking water and even the air we breathe. Plastic is literally everywhere. In 2019, it became apparent that the problem was perhaps even worse than imagined. A study that was reported on by The Guardian in June suggested that people were consuming as many as 52,000 plastic microparticles each year. The figures were higher for those who drank bottled water. There was also the revelation that the plague of plastic had reached the world's last great wilderness, the Antarctic, travelling there through the sea and the air. What can we do about plastic in drinking water? We can all play our part to help reduce the amount of plastic waste that is generated. An easy way to do this is by cutting our reliance on single-use plastics by stopping buying convenience products such as bottled water. Water is available on tap at just a fraction of the cost and without the single-use plastic waste footprint. From a point of view of protecting yourself from ingesting plastic microparticles, using a water filter is the best choice. As recently as August a report by the World Health Organisation stated that more information was needed. While stating there is no need for imminent alarm the WHO stated that the true level of toxicity and the impact on the human body was still unknown. That is a chance many people will not be wanting to take with their health and a water filter is now the best line of defence as plastic microparticles have been found in both tap and bottled water. Take control with a Doulton® water filter A Doulton® water filter can remove plastic microparticles down to 0.5 microns, giving you peace of mind about what is in the water you drink. Despite the widespread news coverage of plastic pollution, 2019 also saw the revelation that plastic production is still set to double in the next 20 years. Make the Doulton® difference and reduce single-use plastic. Have a say on what is in your water by using a Doulton® water filter and play your part in cutting single-use plastic by choosing tap water. Check out our water solutions now!
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Winter Wellbeing Tips: How To Stay Healthy This...
Winter is the height of the flu and cold season, which means taking care of yourself is perhaps more important than ever, including drinking water for your health. Our bodies have to work harder to stay healthy in cold weather, which makes eating the right food and drinking enough water essential. Staying healthy and feeling your best will mean you can enjoy the best the festive season has to offer. Check out our water solutions now! How drinking water can help you stay healthy over winter Several factors need to be taken into consideration to make sure you remain healthy over winter, including staying warm, avoiding germs through efficient handwashing, eating properly, getting enough rest and drinking enough fluids. Taking these steps to help avoid infections or exacerbation of illness will let you make the most of Christmas. While drinking enough water is important to maintain the function of a healthy body, it can also help in other ways. 1. Avoid dry skin this winter Drinking water will help to keep skin hydrated, helping to fend off the dry skin and eczema that can be such a problem for so many people as the changes in temperatures and central heating take their toll. 2. Battle the common cold Drinking water helps you to battle a cold by replenishing lost fluids and helps to loosen mucus to ease a cough or blocked nose. 3. The importance of winter in staying active Dehydration can make you feel fatigued, which will probably be enough to damage your resolve to keep fit throughout the winter. Staying hydrated by drinking water will help to maintain energy levels to support exercise throughout the colder months. 4. Managing allergies and diabetes If you suffer from a food allergy or diabetes, the need to manage these conditions is ever-present. At Christmas, in particular, when eating and drinking take centre stage, drink adequate levels of water to maintain a healthy response from your body. Water helps to regulate histamine levels, which is important in an allergic reaction. In the management of diabetes, drinking water helps to flush excess levels of sugar out of the body and to combat the increased risk of dehydration. And, of course, drinking water is the secret weapon in the fight against any Christmas hangovers. Enjoy Doulton filtered water this winter to make sure you feel at your best during the festive season and beyond. Find out more about Doulton water filters and how you can improve the taste of your drinking water here. Check out our water solutions now!
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How Drinking Water Can Help You Feel Good...
Christmas is the highlight of the year for many people and that certainly includes the chance to indulge in all of your festive favourites. While cracking out the bubbly and tucking into the chocolates, however, be mindful that drinking water can help to prevent hangovers, dehydration and weight gain. Water is a gift from nature that is essential in keeping the body healthy, which is why it is so important to make sure that you drink enough water. At Christmas keeping one eye on your health while enjoying festive treats will help to keep you feeling at your best letting you make the most of the time with family and friends. Check out our water solutions now! Can drinking water help hangovers? Enjoying a glass of wine, beer, or a gin and tonic, is part and parcel of the festive season for many people yet, as anyone who has ever had one too many knows, the morning after can be far less enjoyable. Drinking water is a good way to help fend off the symptoms of a hangover and to speed up your recovery. That thumping headache that greets you as you wake up the morning after overdoing it is most likely a result of dehydration. As alcohol is a diuretic [1] it makes you go to the toilet more often, which can leave your body dehydrated. Clearly, the more you drink the more pronounced this effect can be. As such dehydration is recognised as a major cause of hangover symptoms, which means drinking water when out makes sense. Alternating between drinking water and alcohol is a good choice to maintain hydration, but even just sipping water throughout the night will help. Certainly, at the very least, make sure you have a glass of water before going to bed. If you throw caution to the wind and wake up feeling every drink from the night before, drinking water will be your friend in the recovery process by helping to rehydrate your body. Can drinking water help you avoid putting on weight? It's not just the booze though that can be a cause of overindulgence at Christmas. With tables filled with delicious food, meals out with work and friends and a house stuffed with treats, overeating is par for the course. Gaining a few pounds at Christmas [2] is not uncommon but drinking water can help you to avoid overeating. Drinking water before a meal has been linked to consuming fewer calories by making people feel fuller [3] before beginning to eat and, as a result, helping to cut down the chance of overeating. It is also easy to mistake thirst for hunger so drinking water is an excellent way to help control your appetite. And, of course, being free from calories and fat, drinking water makes a better choice of drink than alcohol or fizzy drinks if you want to lose weight or avoid adding extra calories when indulging in rich food. Enjoy filtered drinking water To enjoy tasty, quality water to complement your festive celebrations and to keep your body hydrated filtered water is an excellent choice. Doulton Water Filters makes a range of water filters from compact under-counter filters to portable filter bottles. Check out our water solutions now! [1] https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/hangovers/hangover-cure-and-prevention/ [2] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/0/not-gain-weight-christmas/ [3] https://www.businessinsider.com/does-drinking-water-before-eating-help-you-lose-weight-2015-8?r=US&IR=T
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Winter Dehydration: Why Drinking Water Is Important In...
In the heat of summer, there is no avoiding the fact that drinking water is necessary to protect your health but in winter it is all too easy not to give a second thought to staying hydrated. Yet really you should. Dehydration can be a severe problem in the cold dry air of winter just as it can be in the summer. A major problem with winter dehydration is that people are often unaware that they are becoming dehydrated. Check out our water solutions now! While hot weather leaves the skin irritatingly sweaty, a sure sign that you need to replenish lost fluids, cold weather can see sweat immediately turn to vapour [1]. Swaddled up in layers of warm clothes to keep the cold at bay it is very easy to become hot, especially if taking part in sports such as skiing or just hiking in the hills. If you are unaware that you are sweating, a major tell-tale sign to drink more water is missing. Does the body have to work harder in cold air? Cold weather can have different effects on the body one is that it makes some people urinate more frequently, meaning that they also lose fluids more rapidly. In very cold weather blood vessels constrict [2] as the body works to maintain a core temperature, reducing the blood flow which in turn reduces heat loss. The constriction of blood vessels can increase your need to go to the toilet as the kidneys get rid of fluid to tackle raised blood pressure [3]. Losing fluid in this way will obviously impact hydration while to support the body working harder it is important to maintain a good balance of fluids. When breathing cold, dry air the body also loses more fluid, again increasing the risk of winter dehydration [4]. Spotting the signs of winter dehydration As we are far less likely to recognise thirst [5] in the colder months it is important to look for and quickly recognise, the initial signs of dehydration. These include: Dark urine Fatigue Headache Dizziness Dry skin While the initial signs of dehydration may not be obvious through thirst and sweating, regularly drinking water can help to prevent winter dehydration becoming an issue. Drink water regularly throughout the day aiming to drink the recommended 6-8 glasses. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol as these can act as diuretics - although if you want a hot drink to warm you up, fruit and herbal teas made with filtered water are an excellent choice. Just as in summer, carry water with you throughout the day and choose a drink that you enjoy. Enjoy the taste of Doulton filtered water Filtered water that enjoys an improved taste and odour is an excellent choice to make sure you remain hydrated throughout the winter and all year round. And with the Doulton Taste water bottle, you can make sure that you have access to quality water wherever you are. Doulton Water Filters makes a range of all-natural ceramic water filters to provide excellent quality water on tap. Discover more about Doulton and find the filter that is right for you. Check out our water solutions now! [1] https://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/27/health/upwave-dehydration/index.html [2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zwj4xfr/revision/5 [3] https://www.healthline.com/health/diuresis#causes [4] https://eu.ithacajournal.com/story/news/2016/11/16/dehydration-risk-even-during-winter/93989536/ [5] https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/feb/01/weatherwatch-cold-air-risks-dehydration-so-drink-more
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