Just like you’d fill up your car tank with fuel before heading off to work or a trip, the body is also designed to function on nutrients gotten from food and water. In addition to these nutrients, the body uses water to heal itself from disease or damage and to ensure healthy living.
As simple as it seems to drink water, many people trade glasses of water for sodas and processed drinks. Well, if still struggle with drinking more water, we’ve found you some 14 great health reasons why you should.
Aids Weight Loss
Water is effective in the elimination of fat by-products and gives you the feeling of being full. So it acts as a natural appetite suppressant and improves metabolism.
Drinking water is one great weight-loss trick. Several researchers have found a relationship between water consumption and losing some body fat. Water gives the feeling of being full, and so you consume fewer calories.
Prevents Cramps
Dehydration is one of the causes of cramps. Are you also aware that hydrated muscles are also less vulnerable to sprains? Water functions as a natural lubricant for the joints and muscles. When the body is hydrated, you become more flexible and less prone to cramps or sprained ankles after a workout.
It Energizes the Body
Are you in need of a mental boost? Don’t go too far—water helps to enhance brain power. As a matter of fact, the brain is about 70% water and so drinking more water helps improves memory, concentration, alertness, and focus. When this happens, the body’s energy levels also increase.
Water, unlike the popular energy drinks, can help fight tiredness. Tiredness is one of the most common symptoms of dehydration. And a big glass of water may just be what you need to fight it.
Relieves Headaches
Drinking water has been shown to help prevent and provide relief for headaches, especially those caused by dehydration.
Improves Skin Appearance
Water consumption can be amazing for the skin. It moisturizes it, keeps it supple, and prevents wrinkles and fine lines.
Clogged pores and acne are caused by some toxins in the body that can result in skin inflammation. There have been reports of water making the skin wrinkle-free as it flushes out toxins for a clearer skin.
Improves Heart Health
According to some studies, there is a relationship between coronary heart disease and water consumption. This is due to the fact that water helps to maintain the viscosity of blood, fibrinogen, and plasma distribution.
Improves Mood
Just like a car with a full tank, the body performs better when properly hydrated. And of course, when your internal systems and organs are working at the optimum level, you’re less likely to feel moody or sad about yourself!
Eliminates Toxins
When you consume water, it flushes out waste via urination and sweat. Also, this helps to avert kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
Our kidneys require enough fluids to eject what’s not needed in the body. With all the daily blood processing, waste production and transporting urine to the bladder, you need to drink more water!
Inhibits Back Pain
Dehydration is one of the less-known causes of back pain. In fact, the discs of the spinal cord are made primarily of water. So a lack of hydration can affect the proper functioning of these discs and result in back pain.
Boosts Immunity
The simplest way to stay healthy during the cold and flu season is to drink more water! Yes, water consumption has been directly linked to a stronger immune system. Water also lowers the risk of certain types of cancers.
Drinking water may help with decongestion and dehydration, helping the body bounce back when feeling under the weather. Just beware don’t swap water consumption for a trip to the doctor if you feel sick.
Averts Bad Breath
Bad breath could be a consequence of dehydration. Do drinking sufficient amounts of water removes remnants of food particles and bacteria in the mouth that could cause bad breath.
Supports Digestion
Water aids digestion and inhibits bloating, constipation and other digestive issues. In fact, when you drink enough water your body is able to digest all you eat and fast too.
Since about 60 percent of our body is made of water, drinking enough water will help maintain the body’s fluid balance. Water helps transport nutrients in the body, digest food, and regulate body temperature.
Regulates the Body Temperature
Sweat is the body’s natural cooling system and of course, water is a key component of perspiration. This means that the body needs adequate amounts of water to effectively regulate the body’s temperature through sweating.
Cures Hangovers
Alcohol consumption is one of the biggest causes of dehydration, which may result in a hangover. Luckily, you can alleviate the consequences of alcohol consumption by drinking a glass of water with each alcoholic drink.
Muscle Building
Our muscles can lose water from all that sweating at the gym. And when this happens, we experience tiredness. So to sustain energy levels, a tall glass of water would suffice.
The Signs You’re Not Drinking Enough Water
There are certain tell-tale signs of dehydration, including migraines, ulcers, fluid retention, stomach aches, tiredness, back pain, and even confusion as the body struggle to compensate for the lack of water. And according to some studies, dehydration may lead to depression, anger, chronic fatigue, and impaired brain functions.
To mitigate dehydration and its consequences, take drinking of water seriously. Yes, at the first sign of thirst, always ensure to drink a glass of water.
The Bottom Line
The amount of water to consume is still up for debate but studies show that adults need to drink up to 2 liters of water daily. So start by keeping a bottle of water on hand at all times. And if you find the taste boring, you can spice it up with a squeeze of lemon!
Your new drinking habits may cost you frequent trips to the bathroom, but in no time, your body will thank you.
