5 Reasons Why Drinking Water is Great for Our Health
You may or may not know, that our bodies are so dependent on water intake that we can only survive 3 days without drinking water, while the body can sustain up to 3 weeks without food. Human bodies will not function without adequate hydration as water makes up 60% of our total body weight. Hence, replenishing the water in our system is vital to our wellbeing because our body constantly loses it through urination, sweat, and even breathing!
The consensus around the world might indicate the protocol to drink at least 2 liters, or 8 glasses, of water a day. Though the old suggestion is not based on any scientific evidence, it is a traditional suggestion implying the vital importance of regularly drinking water for our health. Here are the top 5 benefits why everyday hydration should not be underestimated:
- Water is Crucial for the Digestive System
From ingestion to defecation, water plays an important role in breaking down food and removing unwanted waste from our bodies. Firstly, water forms saliva which breaks down nutrients and food while chewing. Once the food is swallowed, water is then needed to dissolve fiber and separate the waste from important nutrients. Furthermore, the kidney, intestine, and liver use water to flush out waste and push it towards the intestinal tract.
- Maintaining Calories
People should not look at water as a magic bullet that will instantly kill unwanted calorie levels. However, substituting water from high-calorie beverages may certainly help, hence the dieter’s precedent of trimming calories through drinking lots of water. Even water-rich food options are highly suggested to maintain weight because the human body absorbs it slower and reduces our appetite. Water-rich diets include fruits, vegetables, beans, and broth-based soups.
- Aids Physical and Mental Performance
Have you noticed readily available water coolers, water dispenser, and water fountains inside sports complexes? Hydrating in between physical activities cannot be understated. Not only drinking water is important to replace the water loss during work, but water is also required to maintain fluid balance in cells.
Inadequate hydration combined with intense physical exertion can result in muscle fatigue, deteriorating one’s strength and endurance. The same principle applies to cognitive functions as proper hydration is key to maintain mental and psychological abilities. A dehydrated body will experience low levels of alertness and memory reflex.
- Nourishes Skin
Skin is often the first to display signs of dehydration, becoming dry and flaky. Drinking a good quantity of water will improve your skin and keep aging signs, like wrinkles and fine lines, at bay. The use of moisturizer cannot be replaced by just drinking water, especially for those who inherently carry drier skin. However, better water intake will help your kidney to produce excess fluids which nourish skin and provide a certain skin glow.
- Maintaining Kidney Flow
Kidneys operate as essential filters for the human body, removing toxins through urine. However, kidney functionality relies heavily on body water or hydration levels. If the body is dehydrated, the kidney will be forced to trap extra fluids for bodily functions. That can be observed with the intense urine concentration, darker color, and pungent odor. If you have a habit of severely drinking too little water, then the risk of kidney stones becomes more probable.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
