Did you know 60% of the human body is made up of water? Health experts recommend that people should drink about eight glasses of water daily, which should be equal to 237 ml, or 8 ounces each. This is because it is a must for the body to stay hydrated to keep all functioning running smoothly. Most people may drink more fluids when the temperatures rise outside, but you need to drink water in all seasons, regardless of temperature. The problem is that most people do not drink enough water because as you get older, your sense of thirst changes.
Therefore, you must watch your fluid consumption and drink plenty of water because it is vital for your well-being and health. There are some notable health benefits of drinking water, and you can check out some of them below:
Water Keeps You Energized
Almost 2/3rd of the human body is made up of water, which means that most of the functions are affected when you are dehydrated. Your energy levels and mood can also suffer, even if you are mildly dehydrated. Furthermore, dehydration is also believed to be the cause of increased confusion, anger and, most importantly, fatigue. You will also experience decreased vigor and mood problems.
In contrast, drinking plenty of water can help you maintain healthy blood pressure and a good heart rate. Your cells will only work properly when you are well-hydrated. This is because adequate fluid is required for producing lymph, which is required by the immune system. A water-rich environment helps all systems of the body in functioning optimally. Bear in mind that you should drink water throughout the day and not wait to feel thirsty. Your body only signals thirst when you have gotten dehydrated, which is not healthy. If you do not want to drink plain water, you can switch to lemon water for a bit.
Water Maximizes Your Physical Performance
Dehydration also has a negative impact on your physical performance. This becomes noticeable during high heat or when you are working out. Even if you lose just 2% of the water content in your body, your physical performance suffers. When this happens, you will lose motivation, feel fatigued, and your body temperature will also be altered. Furthermore, exercising can also feel immensely difficult.
All of this can be prevented if you keep yourself hydrated, i.e., drink lots of water. When you are doing intense exercises, oxidative stress often occurs, and this can be prevented as well. If you tend to sweat excessively during exercise, make sure you stay hydrated because this will help you maximize your performance.
Water Can Reduce Stress
It is a fact that dehydration can lead to stress because it causes anger, fatigue, cognitive problems, and a bad mood. It would be best if you continued to sip water throughout the day in order to keep stress levels low. It is best to carry a water bottle with you everywhere and drink some water every half hour. This will prevent you from getting dehydrated, which means less stress. As mentioned earlier, you do not need to wait until you feel thirsty to have some water.
Water Gives Your Skin Health a Boost
If you are worried about fine lines and wrinkles, then your priority should be to drink water regularly and keep yourself hydrated. This will plump up your skin cells, which is exactly what you need to minimize the signs of aging and look younger. Water also comes in handy in flushing out the impurities and toxins in your body that can dull your complexion, and this detoxification is also good for your skin. A hydrated body means good blood circulation, which can give your skin a glow.
Water Can Resolve Kidney Problems
Kidney stones are more common than you think, and they can be incredibly painful. One of the best ways to prevent these stones from being formed is to stay hydrated. These stones are usually clumps of mineral crystals, and since water dilutes minerals and salts, which concentrate in the kidneys, these stones can be prevented. You should also keep an eye on your sodium intake if you are concerned about kidney stones because it can increase calcium levels.
The kidneys are a very important organ of the body because they filter waste, regulate your blood pressure and also maintain the water levels in the body. Therefore, you need to drink enough water to ensure your kidneys continue functioning properly. How can you determine that your water consumption is adequate? The color of your urine can give you the answer; pale yellow urine would indicate this, while colorless urine means you are overhydrated, and darker yellow means dehydrated.
Water Can Also Support Digestion
One of the most common health issues people face is constipation, which refers to difficulty in passing stool and infrequent bowel movements. Drinking water can actually help you avoid constipation because it works with fiber to keep bowel movements regular. Water helps in eliminating toxins and diluting waste from the gastrointestinal tract. Stools are easier to pass because water, along with fiber, bulks them up.
Hence, you must consume adequate water daily so your bowel movements stay regular. When you are dehydrated, your stools will be dry, hard and passing them will be difficult and painful.
Water Can Boost Weight Loss
Indeed, drinking water can help you in losing weight. How? Water gives your metabolic rate a boost and also increases satiety, i.e., makes you feel full. When your metabolism goes up, it means you are burning more calories every day, and this will help you reduce weight. Several studies have been conducted, and they have discovered that increasing your water intake, especially before meals, can reduce body fat and weight. This is because the water makes you feel full, which means you eat less.
Bottom Line
Even if you are mildly dehydrated, it will impact your physical and mental health. You should consume the recommended amount of water every day to ensure your body continues to perform its functions easily. This will benefit your health in the long run and minimize and prevent a horde of health issues
