For most people, hydration does not require a lot of thought, but it is an important part of overall health!
Water is critical to our body as it is one of the main components of the human body and accounts for 60% of our body weight. It is responsible for carrying nutrients to cells and helps to eliminate waste products.
The amount of water needed for our body depends on different factors such as age, gender, climatic conditions we live in, and the intensity of physical activities we are involved in. Regardless of the various factors, we can maintain an optimum hydration level in our body by directly drinking an adequate amount of water or eating fruits and vegetables with a high quantity of water, such as watermelon (90% water content), and spinach (93% water content).
However, a simple thumb rule is to consume a minimum of 8 glasses of water in a day, or even better, to drink whenever you are thirsty. Our body just feels better when we are hydrated!
5 reasons to prioritize your water intake
Here’s why drinking plenty of water is essential to your health.
1. Boosts energy
If not suitably hydrated, we feel groggy, tired, sluggish, and are more susceptible to illness. When you dehydrate, your body uses more muscle strength to keep you upright. For instance, when you exercise, your body loses water due to sweat, and burnout. Drinking lots of water during and after your workout can keep you from feeling drained. Additionally, water provides nutrients to our cells, which helps us in staying active and energetic. Dehydration, on the other hand, can cause serious medical problems like decreased blood pressure and seizures.
2. Supports your digestive system
Hydration is necessary to keep our digestive system working properly and to remove excess toxins from our systems. Without sufficient water intake, your body may experience uncomfortable sensations in the abdomen, such as cramping or bloating. In addition, dehydration can cause constipation, one of the most common digestive problems. Therefore, water is essential to support bowel movements.
3. Helps in losing weight
Drinking water helps to jumpstart your metabolism, thereby aiding weight loss and keeping it off. Besides water, a good diet and exercise are necessary to lose weight. One of the top reasons diets fail is because most people fail to include exercise and proper nutrition in their day-to-day routines. Hydration and proper nutrition should be a priority during any weight-loss attempt.
4. Regulates body temperature
The body temperature generally goes up if you are not fully hydrated and water is known to have the quality to absorb heat and cool your body. Hydration is scientifically proven to support optimal body temperature control. When you are dehydrated, your body uses more resources to maintain your core temperature. While this helps you stay warm in the winter, it can also be dangerous on hot days and humid environments. Hence, it is crucial to replenish the water in your body and maintain body temperature.
5. Fights off illness
Water is an indispensable part of our immune system—it absorbs important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from food, which further helps in fighting various illnesses. When we are not getting enough water in our bodies, it can restrict certain organs from working properly. Therefore, drinking plenty of water is a good way to combat illness as it helps keep your gut and system working properly.
Some of the medical conditions when doctors suggest drinking more water are kidney stones, urinary tract infection, hypertension, and asthma. Water also keeps our joints and tissues lubricated and helps in reducing the discomfort caused by conditions like arthritis.
In essence, you should drink more water each day, particularly when you feel unwell or have been told by your doctor. It may sound obvious, but many people tend to underestimate the importance of water in their lives.
Takeaway
The human body needs water to function properly. Too little water and you become fatigued, experience shivering in cold weather, and feel disoriented when after a long day at work. Too much water can also cause sluggishness, nausea, vomiting, headache, water poisoning, and even interrupt brain functions.
Therefore, you need to maintain an adequate amount of water in your body for a balanced and healthy life. Make sure you carry your water bottle wherever you go and sip on the water as frequently as possible.
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