It is no secret that water is good for you. With our bodies being made mostly of water, it is understandable why this element would be necessary for our health. Every process that takes part in your body requires water, so without it, we cannot function.
Of course, knowing that water is vital to life is one thing, but do you know how this powerful element benefits your body and, ultimately, your well-being? Understanding these reasons can be an important part of motivating yourself to start and continue a healthier lifestyle. Here’s what you should know.
The 15 Essential Reasons for Water
Not getting enough water leaves you dehydrated and feeling bad. Getting enough water, on the other hand, leaves you feeling refreshed. But what is enough water? The recommended daily amount of water is about eight glasses, but many adults do not get close to this. Without water, our bodies cannot function properly, putting our health at risk. Here is what water does for you and your body:
1. Supports Weight Loss
Upping your water consumption can help you reach your weight loss goals. Drinking a glass of water before a meal helps you feel full, so you eat less. It also works to boost your metabolism, which means more efficient digestion and energy consumption as well as less fat storage.
2. Improves Mood
Drinking water makes you feel refreshed and also refreshes your mind. Even the mildest dehydration can negatively impact your mood, so staying hydrated can help keep you positive throughout the day.
3. Better Digestion
Regularly drinking water keeps everything moving through your digestive tract. This prevents constipation and reduces the strain on your liver and kidneys when it comes to flushing and removing waste. By preventing constipation, you protect your bowels from stagnant waste that increases your risk for digestive issues and disease.
4. Better Heart Health
Studies have found a link between drinking water regularly and a reduced risk of heart disease. The risk for heart disease increases with consumption of sugary drinks, like soda, so replace that soda can with a water bottle to keep your heart in good shape. Staying hydrated also helps promote healthy circulation, which supports arterial and heart health.
5. Supports Kidneys
Your kidneys are responsible for removing waste, keeping your blood pressure steady, and balancing your body fluids. Adequate water consumption keeps your kidneys functioning at optimal levels, supporting your overall health.
6. Supports Immune System
Staying hydrated supports your lymphatic system. Lymph, the fluid responsible for transporting immune cells, is largely made of water. Drinking water regularly helps support immune cell activity and can help flush out bacteria from your system.
7. Protects Your Joints
Your joints need to stay lubricated to prevent joint pain and injury. Drinking plenty of water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to lubricate joints. Cartilage, the material that coats your bones, along with synovial fluid which lubricates your joints, is made mostly of water, so hydration is essential for fluid mobility. Water also helps to lubricate your spinal cord and tissues, preventing damage and wear.
8. Helps You Think More Clearly
Dehydration causes your brain tissues to shrink (which is also a major reason for headaches). By getting enough water, you can keep your brain cells intact and promote clear thinking and optimal cognitive function, as your brain will not have to work overly hard.
9. Gets You Energized
Dehydration causes tiredness and fatigue. By drinking water throughout the day, you stay hydrated and energized. If you are feeling a lag through the day, try drinking water instead of energy drinks. You will have a more refreshed feeling rather than a spike and crash of energy.
10. Beats the Blues
The physical warmth from taking a hot bath can help create comfort and reduce feelings of loneliness. Baths also promote the release of oxytocin, which is the hormone released during closeness with another person. When you are feeling alone and blue, hug yourself with a warm bath and feel better.
11. Prevents Headaches
Dehydration can cause headaches and can even trigger migraines. Within thirty minutes of drinking water (2 cups), patients have reported relief from headaches, so drinking water regularly throughout the day can help you avoid the pain in the first place.
12. Helps You Stay Alert
Water can keep your brain energized in the same way it does for your body. Dehydration can interfere with brain cell activity and cognitive functions such as attention span. Staying hydrated is the best way to stay alert, especially if you have projects that require your attention for a lengthy amount of time.
13. Better Workouts
It is important to stay hydrated to replace fluids lost through sweat. In addition to drinking water to support your athletic performance, water supports your weight which can help you get exercise. Aquatic aerobics and swimming are excellent ways to improve fitness and health and actively exercise all parts of the body. These low-impact exercises can be just as effective as cycling, but without the physical strain.
14. Relieves Congestion
Stuffy noses and congestion are common through the colder seasons as well as allergy seasons. Congestion can cause you to feel tired and achy as well as cloud your thinking. Breathing in steam or rinsing your nasal cavities with water (saline spray or neti pot) can help dissolve the congestion.
15. Maintains Balance in Your Body
Water helps to regulate all the fluids in your body. This allows for more efficient nutrient transportation and absorption, better digestion, and efficient temperature regulation.
The Bottom Line
Every cell in our body is made of water. You can go weeks without food, but without water, your health will decline quickly. The good news is that water is all around, so there is no reason you shouldn’t be getting enough. Support your body and overall health by getting the water you need. Go grab yourself a glass now!
