But our complicated lives tend to keep us from drinking anywhere near the amount of water we need. Instead of reaching for a glass of water, most of us grab a soda or pour a cup of coffee. The result is the vast majority of people -- 75% of Americans -- are going through life dehydrated.

Even mild dehydration can cause a variety of ailments, making it the hidden culprit behind many of today's common health problems. Mild dehydration makes you feel sluggish, often causes the urge to eat, causes poor memory, and even contributes to colon cancer.

But simply drinking tap or bottled water isn't the entire answer. Our bodies have become increasingly acidic over the years. This dangerous pH imbalance causes a vast number of illnesses that almost all of us struggle with.

Drinking alkaline water quickly puts your system back into balance, relieving everything from digestive problems to high blood pressure to rapid aging. And food tastes a LOT better when it's cooked in alkaline water.

One excellent solution is to use a good counter-top water ionizer. The ionizer uses advanced technological principles to split tap water into alkaline water with a separate output of acidic water.

Use the ionized alkaline water to drink, improving your health and staving off illness. Use acidic water to reduce acne, as effective mouthwash, as a natural antiseptic, and even to make plants grow faster.

A good water ionizer will also put more oxygen in your water. The oxygen content in your water can be adjusted according to the pH you choose.

The water ionizer has a negative oxygen reduction potential or ORP. That means your ionized water will reduce free radicals that attack cell tissue. Imagine not having to rely solely on supplemental antioxidants since your water will already contain an abundant supply, not to mention the ionizer as up to 300% more oxygen in the water providing extra energy for muscles and brain power.

The message is clear: drink plenty of water to feel better and improve wellness. And make sure the water you drink is alkaline water created with a quality water ionizer. Few things are as easy, as enjoyable, and more effective in improving your health.

Remember that water works far faster in helping to replenish and regulate your body. Soda and sweetened teas require your body to first digest the sugar inside the drink, then, and only then, can the water be used. That process can take an hour and a half.

Meanwhile your body can be getting more and more dehydrated. This is particularly true on hot summer days, when doing strenuous activities such as sports and yard work, and when ill.

Try drinking six to eight glasses of good, wholesome water each and every day. You will immediately notice an improvement in your health.