We all need food and water to survive. But, what if you were placed in a position where you had to choose one or the other, which one would you choose? If water was your answer, then you’ve made a really wise decision.
The human body can survive for 3 weeks without food, but only 1 week of no water might probably end a person’s life.
Ironically, the majority today eat more food than they drink water. They may not notice it now, but every day that passes without drinking the correct amount of water is another day of putting their health at risk.
The human adult body is composed of up to 60% water. Water additionally accounts for 73% of the brain and the heart, 83% of the lungs, 64% of the skin, 79% of the muscles and kidneys, and even our bones are 31% water. It comes as no surprise that the cells in our body need water as an important nutrient.
Water cleanses the body, regulates our body temperature, forms saliva, and lubricates the joints. The carbohydrates and proteins in our body are transported by water in our bloodstream. It’s said that water is life, and perhaps the human body is a testament to that statement.
It’s not hard to tell how necessary and important water is for our bodies. But, the question is, are you drinking enough of it every day? There’s debate surrounding the right quantity of water to drink per day. Many go by the 8 x 8 Water Rule, which entails drinking eight glasses containing 8 ounces of water daily. However, the right quantity of water depends on the individual’s body and their needs. No matter how much water you need, the Benefits of Staying Hydrated remain the same. Here are a number of the reasons why you need to drink your water:
Benefits of Staying Hydrated (Importance of staying hydrated)
Cleanses the Body
Drinking water helps our bodies flush out toxins and body waste through urination. With the help of water, our kidneys can then filter these toxins and body wastes from the blood, helping our body in excreting it through urinating. Having said that, your kidneys may stop functioning properly if you do not drink enough water. And when this happens, toxins and waste gather in the body. In the worst-case scenario, dehydration may additionally cause urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
Boosts Energy Levels
The brain is 73% water, which implies that its functions are impacted by the body’s hydration status. In fact, studies have shown that even the mildest dehydration can alter the brain’s function. According to a study conducted upon a group of young ladies, 1.36% loss of fluid greatly impacted the participants’ moods and concentration levels. There was additionally a significant increase in their frequency of headaches.
Good for Your Bones and Joints
Our cells need water to nourish the body and remove waste, but did you know that it additionally supports the health of your bones? The 3 main components of the bone are collagen protein, apatite mineral, and water. The hydration level of your body significantly affects the density and strength of your bones. Water additionally lubricates the joints, preventing them from potential harm and increased pain for people who are experiencing issues with their joints.
Treats Headaches
According to medical studies, dehydration causes headaches and migraines. As a solution, different studies additionally note that water is the solution for such conditions. However, it’s necessary to note that this greatly depends on the type of headache one is experiencing. Water cannot treat all kinds of headaches, and it seems that it will only give relief to headaches related to the lack of water inside the body.
Promotes Weight Loss
Thirst is commonly mistaken for hunger, which is why most of the people who are dehydrated tend to put on more weight than people who do not. According to medical experts, drinking plenty of water can help an individual lose weight.
Water makes you feel full and satisfied, which implies you eat fewer calories throughout meals. Water additionally increases your metabolic rate, helping you to burn additional fat during and after your workout. According to one study, participants who drank half a liter of water before meals showed promising weight loss results. After a period of 12 weeks, they were able to lose 44% additional weight.
Additionally, weight-loss gurus suggest drinking water cold due to the fact that the body has to use additional energy from calories to heat the water to normal body temperature.
Keeps Your Skin Looking Healthy
Dehydration causes the skin to lose its natural elasticity, leaving the skin looking tired, lackluster, and old. Most people tend to think that dehydration causes dry skin. However, dry skin is the result of a variety of factors; none of them have anything to do with drinking less water. Dry skin is usually caused by harmful chemicals in soap, bathing in hot water, or overexposure to dry air.
What Happens when we Don’t Hydrate Properly?
Not drinking enough water can cause several health conditions that alter the quality of your life. the results may vary from mild to severe, but it doesn’t change the fact that it still affects your everyday life. Headaches, muscle pain, and joint pain are some of the foremost common effects of dehydration. Sleepiness and reduced levels of energy are other examples of common issues.
Those who don’t hydrate properly may additionally have problems with their eating habits. Because they confuse thirst for hunger, they tend to eat more than they should. Not to mention, most of the people additionally experience food cravings, particularly sugar. And, though they consume more food, they may also experience constipation which may then result in another series of health problems related to digestion.
How Long Does It take to Hydrate?
According to a recent study, drinking 600 ml of water 45 minutes before exercising is all it takes to stay mildly dehydrated adults at age 25 to stay hydrated throughout the entire workout. This study is extremely promising, particularly among people who are mildly dehydrated like the participants in the study. However, additional research is needed to check if the results stay consistent for older or younger people.
However, one thing is for sure: the more dehydrated a person is, the longer it’ll take to rehydrate. Though one may feel immediately revitalized after drinking a glass of water, the body needs more time before it recovers internally. To treat dehydration, one should keep the habit of drinking more water consistently.
Is There Such a Thing as Over-Hydration?
Over-hydration can happen, but as long as an individual has a particular type of disorder that limits the body’s ability to excrete water. this means that their body retains water when it should have been flushed out through urination.
In the case of a typical individual, over-hydration is not a cause for concern. Typically, there’s no such thing as drinking too much water because the body will easily excrete the water in the form of urine.
Easiest ways of Staying hydrated throughout the Day
With self-discipline and motivation, it’s not at all difficult to prevent dehydration. It ought to be very easy. After all, the sole thing you need is a bit of time and a glass of water. But, the reality is, instilling a new habit is usually tough. Thankfully, there are lots of easy and fun ways to start drinking more water and to eventually improve your lifestyle. Read on below to find out our favorite ways to stay hydrated:
Invest in a New water bottle
Purchasing a bottle allows you to take your water with you wherever you go. No matter if you are on the same old commute to work or school or if you are out for a walk, having an accessible supply of water is a must. Not solely will it assist you in keep track of your water intake, but it additionally provides you no excuse for not staying hydrated.
Track Your Water Intake
Speaking of water intake, you would possibly want to keep a record of what proportion of water you drink for the day. You can either write it down on paper – on a daily basis planner or journal may help, or if you’re part of the tech-savvy crowd, then downloading an app is a good solution for you.
Give Sparkling a try
Water is good for the body. But, let’s be honest – it’s pretty boring, especially compared to a can of soda. If you like the fizz and pop of carbonated drinks, then you should give sparkling water a try. It may offer you the same experience but without the unhealthy amounts of sugar. Plus, it may even inspire you to drink additional water.
Lemon Water
Many people complain that water tastes like nothing and this is one of the most important reasons why some don’t link to drink it. However, it doesn’t have to be that way as you can always add flavor to your water. In fact, just adding a few slices of lemon might already give you a kick of flavor. If you love a bit of zing and the taste of fresh citrus, then you may enjoy drinking lemon water. However, those lemon slices aren’t just there for flavor; they also have their own health benefits as well. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, they’re good for digestion, and they can even assist you to lose a bit of weight.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is another choice for people who assume that plain old water tastes too bland. This tropical fruit gives off a mild, sweet flavor. And like lemons, they add more nutritional value to your water. Milk isn’t just great for keeping hydrated, it can lower high blood pressure, and it’s rich in potassium. Although milk is a typically healthy drink, one should be careful about drinking too much as an excessive amount of potassium in the blood can cause problems in the heart.
Cucumbers
The cucumber is another great ingredient to add to your water. It’s rich in antioxidants reduces blood sugar levels, and lowers blood pressure levels. However, it’s most popular for its soothing and skin revitalizing properties. This is why some individuals put cucumber slices on their eyes. By adding a couple of slices into your water, you’re not only keeping yourself hydrated, but you’ll additionally benefit from its long list of health benefits.
Watermelon
True to its name, the watermelon is filled with water. This fruit is ideal for people who are searching for something sweet. The watermelon is abundant with minerals and vitamins like vitamin C, beta carotene, and lycopene. The fact that it may protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun makes this fruit the perfect snack during a hot summer day.
Use flavored Ice Cubes
Infusing your water with fruits and herbs is a good way to remain hydrated. But, during a hot day, using flavored ice cubes is usually the better choice. The key is to incorporate fruits and herbs that aren’t just flavorful, but additionally full of minerals and nutrients. You can use any ingredient that you like as long as it keeps you sipping your glass of water.
Avoid Sodas and beer
Sodas and beer are restricted when it comes to staying hydrated. Although they may be in liquid form, they do not replenish the body in any respect. These drinks contain sugar and caffeine, both of which really causes the body to become more dehydrated than it already may be. Not solely do they not replace the fluids in the body, but the caffeine in these drinks is also actually a diuretic. This makes the body urinate more quickly, causing you to lose additional fluids.
Make It a Habit
Last but not least, to remain hydrated, you need to keep drinking water. As mentioned earlier, it takes a long time to rehydrate the body, particularly if you’ve been dehydrated for a long time. For the body to fully regain healthy hydration levels, one must be consistent. Make it a habit by tracking your water intake and by ensuring to drink at least the minimum quantity.
Other easy ways of Staying hydrated
Apart from the tips listed above, another way to remain hydrated is to assess the food that you eat. The body needs tons of water to break down sugar, therefore it’s best to control the number of sweets that you eat. Be on the lookout for whole grains also as they can also be dehydrating. They say that a healthy diet is essential to optimum health. As long as you select the healthier option and keeping everything in moderation, then you are doing a good job already.
