It’s not uncommon these days to be flicking through the health sections of magazines and suddenly stumble upon an article urging you to drink more water. But why is it so important, and why should you strive to get your 8 glasses a day? Here are 10 answers to that question!
Hydration
If your body is hydrated, it means that you have sufficient levels of water in your body. Without good hydration the body isn’t able to function as efficiently as it should. Ever wondered why you feel a bit sluggish at the end of a long day at work? It could be that you’ve not been drinking enough water throughout the day.
Body temperature
Water helps to regulate temperature within your body, enabling you to react to different environments and maintain a stable body temperature. If your body isn’t hydrated enough, your body temperature may be irregular and you’ll more easily be able to feel the effects of being too cold or too hot.
Energy levels
Water saves your heart from working harder than it needs to, and helps to give your energy levels a boost. If you drink enough water, your heart will beat normally. If you don’t have enough water in your system, it will have to beat faster in order to pump oxygen around the body. Water plays an essential part in pumping oxygen around the body via the red blood cells in the bloodstream. If you don’t drink enough water, you might start to feel tired and lethargic during the day, as well as being more susceptible to muscle aches and pains. Drinking more water is a quick fix for feeling energised.
Healthy skin
Moisturisers and skin treatments are great, but drinking water has some amazing benefits for your skin as well. As soon as you start drinking more water every day, you’ll notice the effects it will have on your skin straight away. Water helps to keep the skin hydrated, and gives you a bright, fresh, clear glow. Water nourishes the skin, tackles impurities and facilitates cell renewal, giving you healthy looking, glowing skin. Drinking water can even make your skin look younger!
Staying in shape
Drinking plenty of water boosts the metabolism, which enables the body to process food quicker. Water is also a calorie-free alternative to cordial, fizzy drinks and other beverages, and unlike many sports drinks, it contains no sugar. Drinking water can fill you up when you think you’re hungry between meals. If you feel the need to eat but are not especially hungry, try drinking a glass of water. You may find that you no longer feel the urge to snack.
Stress relief
Brain tissue is primarily made up of water, and when you don’t drink enough, your brain is affected as well as your body. Studies have shown that proper hydration helps to prevent and reduce stress. Stress can contribute to an increased risk of mental and physical health problems, and symptoms include restlessness, irritability, mood swings, disturbed sleep and a weakened immune system. It’s essential to always have a bottle of water handy when you’re working or out and about, so that you can keep yourself hydrated at all times.
Reduced risk of headaches
Many people suffer from headaches as a result of dehydration, and drinking plenty of water can soon put a stop to regular headaches. Carry water with you at all times and be sure to drink regularly throughout the day.
Improved endurance
When exercising, drinking plenty of water will help you to train for longer as it helps to prevent cramp and facilitates good muscle contraction. It is also very important to re-hydrate after exercise, as your body will have lost water through sweat.
Clean teeth
Water helps to rid your teeth of food debris and keeps your levels of saliva high. Saliva is one of your mouth’s best defences against tooth decay because it contains minerals and proteins that neutralize acids that eat away at the enamel. Saliva is 95% water, so a great way to avoid cavities is to keep hydrated.
Reduced risk of kidney stones
Many cases of kidney stones happen as a result of dehydration. Kidney stones are small deposits of salts and minerals and usually cause severe discomfort. If your urine is diluted, there is a much lower risk of you suffering with kidney stones, so it’s essential to keep yourself hydrated and keep the kidneys healthy.
Photo by Maria Di Lorenzo on Unsplash
