Studies show that our bodies are 60% water. So, there’s no doubt that we really need this special commodity. Are you aware that you lose about 64 ounces of your daily intake through sweating? The problem with perspiration is that it may go unnoticed unless you are working out. But this does not mean that you are not losing substantial amounts of water. As long as you are alive, your body is continuously regulating its internal heat and perspiration is one crucial aspect of doing it.
It doesn’t matter if you are sitting behind a desk or standing most of the time – you have to drink water. You basically have to have it before you can lose it. if you lose more than what is excess in your body, you’ll suffer dehydration. Effects of dehydration include headaches, mood swings, pain sensitivity, kidney stones, and low immunity. According to health experts, you can avoid these symptoms by drinking 8 glasses or more per day. Of course, the more the intake, the better it’s for you.
Generally, here are 12 benefits of drinking water:
- Mental Boost
Do you occasionally depend on coffee or tea to feel mentally energized? You can switch the stimulants with water. Considering that your brain is about 73% water, you need this basic constitution to reason, concentrate, and be alert. Basically, you need water to boost your mental abilities. Besides, research shows that dehydration is just as mental as it’s physical. A slight level of dehydration has the power to interfere with your psychomotor skills, mood, memory, and pain sensitivity.
- Physical Boost
Water not only boosts your mental performance but your physical too. This is particularly important if you are physically involved as this translates to more perspiration. Studies show that excess sweating results in body fatigue and lack of motivation. Of course, the solution is taking plenty of water. Hydration helps to minimize oxidative stress which is responsible for the body weakness and demotivation. So, you become more energized physically just like you are energized mentally.
- Headache Prevention
One of the primary effects of dehydration is a headache. As seen before, water is necessary for the brain. When it’s deprived of this fluid, your head starts to ache. This type of ache is called a dehydration headache. According to Medical News Today, it occurs when the brain’s water level falls below the accepted limits and thus it shrinks as a result. The shrinkage is what translates to pain (a headache).
- Hangover Management
Alcohol is a natural diuretic. It dehydrates your body. This is why it’s common to feel a headache and have a dry mouth after heavy drinking. Liquor makes you lose extra water through urination, vomiting, and excessive sweating. The positive is that you can manage the hangover symptoms with matching your alcohol intake with water intake. The water will help you to restore what’s lost from the dehydration effects of alcohol.
- Weight Management
This may come as a surprise, but you can lose weight in a healthier way by hydrating your body. It’s not just your brain that feels the direct impact of drinking water. The water you drink is necessary to wash fat byproducts from the body. While doing this, water makes you feel full and so you can use it to manage your cravings instead of taking fat-rich foods. Studies also show that water stimulates metabolic functions. In this case, it’s able to facilitate the breakdown of accumulated fat molecules.
- Stress Relief
Considering that a bigger portion of your brain is water, you need it to fight stress. Stress occurs when your mind becomes overwhelmed. Often, it’s because of things not going as expected or because of the fear of not knowing what to do. You need water to calm the nerves so as to regain your happiness. Furthermore, your body will act its finest when well hydrated. You can simply derive happiness from a glass of drinking water.
- Detoxification
The body naturally accumulates toxins from the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the things that we come into contact with. The toxins have to be flushed out through urination and perspiration. You need enough water to do it. The organs responsible for natural detoxification, in this case, are the liver and the kidneys. They need to stay hydrated. If not, then you have to worry about kidney stones, cancer, and other serious condition.
- Pleasant Breath
Have you ever moved close to a group of marathoners who are being interviewed immediately after competing? Chances are higher that you’ll prefer to keep your distance. This is because the possibility of bad breath coming from their mouths is high. The unpleasant smell is because of dehydration. This also applies when you sweat after a workout. You need enough water to flush off oral bacteria and food deposits that are responsible for a smelly mouth.
- Constipation Relief
Constipation is a digestive condition characterized by difficulty in passing stool and unpredictable bowel evacuation. Doctors often recommend more fluid intake as a treatment solution. So, taking plenty of water reduces the risk. Recent studies have shown that constipation relief is enhanced with intake of carbonated water. Therefore, whether you are targeting to prevent or treat constipation, you won’t go wrong with taking several glasses of water.
- Healthy Skin
According to UW Health, the secret to enjoying a healthier skin is not using expensive skin care products but taking plenty of water. While skincare products are designed to work externally, the problem is often internally. You need to drink more water to moisturize the skin and keep wrinkles away.
- Cramps Prevention
Water is essentially a natural lubricant that keeps your muscles oiled. Since the muscles are 80% water. They need the fluid to become more flexible. When you are dehydrated, they become fully stretched and this is how cramps occur. If you are working out, the cramps are quite common and that’s why it’s advisable to improve your water intake.
- Immune Boost
Lastly, you need water to fight infections. When your immunity is low, conditions like cold, flu, and allergies become prevalent. You need water to manage them. Fit Day insists on two major immunity benefits of taking water. One, it helps to transport oxygen inside the body. Two, it flushes out toxins (as discussed).
Bottomline
There are so many science-based facts that support the benefits of drinking water. What’s clear is that you need this precious fluid to live healthily. It’s your primary defense line. If you had made a resolution to live healthier this year, it starts with learning to drink more water. It’s one of those resolutions that never disappoints.
