ARE YOU DRINKING ENOUGH WATER?
Drinking a healthy amount of water daily is vital to your overall health. Water provides numerous health benefits and is proven to decrease symptoms of chronic diseases. At times, we underestimate the role water plays in our body’s ability to function daily, but health researchers have proven that water is one of the most essential nutrients the body needs to function properly.
FUNCTIONS OF WATER IN THE HUMAN BODY
Did you know that the tissues and organs of the body are mainly made up of water? The human body consists of approximately 55% to 79% water, depending on the size of a person. The muscles in our body consist of approximately 75% water; the brain consists of approximately 90% water; bones consist of approximately 22% water; and the blood consists of approximately 83% water.
Every cell in the body needs water for everyday use; therefore, it is important to drink enough water daily. For example, if the brain consists of 90% water and you do not supply the body with enough water, the brain cannot function at its full potential, and this can cause headaches or migraines.
Water transports nutrients and oxygen into cells, protects vital organs, regulates body temperature, detoxifies, protects and moisturizes bones and joints, and aids with metabolism.
BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH
Consuming eight 8oz glasses of water a day is the standard requirement by health educators to keep our bodies healthy, happy, and detoxified. Though water is vital in a variety of bodily functions, we often tend to ignore the advice of health experts.
You will be amazed by the benefits of drinking water versus sugary drinks as follows:
– Natural Remedy for Headache and Other Body Aches: Drinking water frequently helps to relieve symptoms of headaches and other body aches due to dehydration. Dehydration is a common cause of headaches and migraines.
– Promotes Healthier Skin, Hair, and Appearance: Hydrating the body improves the look of the skin, hair, and nails by replenishing skin and hair tissues and moisture. The result is a natural glow and a younger look.
– Helps in Digestion: Drinking water increases metabolism and promotes regular digestion. Drinking a healthy amount of water may also reduce the risks of bladder and colon diseases by flushing out toxins and waste products from the body. Water flushes out the organs in the body and hydrates them for better function.
– Relieves Fatigue and Promotes a Good Mood: Drinking water helps the body hydrate and feel good. The body uses water to detox properly, and if the body lacks water, the human organs work excessively, causing exhaustion.
– Less Sick Days: Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones, constipation, heart attack, and sprains and cramps. Drinking water improves the immune system and decreases the risks of respiratory diseases, intestinal issues, and joint problems.
TIPS TO DRINK MORE WATER
To help you get your daily dose of hydration, here are a few tips to drink more water daily:
– Drink a glass with each meal. This trick also helps you eat less.
– Keep a bottle with you at all times to encourage consistent sips throughout the day.
– Set a goal and keep track of when you consume water in a given day.
– Flavor your water with fresh fruits and veggies such as lemon, apples, celery, cucumber, oranges, basil, kiwi, and pineapple. Drinking plain water can become boring to take in; flavoring your water gives it a different taste and makes it easier to drink more.
– Eat more fruits and vegetables high in water content such as celery, watermelon, cucumber, lettuce, green pepper, oranges, strawberries, grapes, baby carrots, cantaloupe, and broccoli.
– Substitute half of your daily sugary drinks with water. Choose water over a bottle of Pepsi or processed fruit juices. Most sugary drinks contain high amounts of sugar that can increase chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
To sum it up, drink water throughout your day to keep you hydrated. One can easily confuse thirst with hunger, so it is important for us to listen to our bodies and choose water before food. During intense sweating, drink enough water to compensate for lost fluids.
