Our bodies are made up of around 60% water. Water makes up about 90% of the blood. We cannot survive without water.
As we age our cells are not able to absorb water well. This is due to all the toxins that a person absorbs over the years from their diet, environment and chemicals that can be found in water like fluoride, chlorine and pesticides.
Hormonal residues from the pill can also be found in water. This is why it is important to drink good quality water as the better the quality the better it will be absorbed by the cells leading to good hydration.
You can tell by how well hydrated you are by the colour of your urine. If it is dark it means you need to drink more. Your urine should be a light pale colour.
We lose around 3 litres of water a day. We lose water every day through breathing, urine, stools and sweating, especially during strenuous exercise.
In the warmer weather, we tend to drink more as we tend to sweat more. In winter we tend to want to drink less as we assume that as it is cold we do not need to drink as much. We actually need to be well-hydrated all year round.
You should aim to drink 1.5 – 2 litres of water a day. Water is vital for your cells, tissues, blood, lymph and glandular secretions.
In this article, I’ll look at the top nine benefits of drinking water and a few tips on how to stay hydrated at all times.
1. Water flushes out toxins
By drinking more water the body can flush out all the toxins. For the kidneys to function properly the tubules mustn’t become clogged up or damaged. The liver is the major organ of detoxification. If we are not well hydrated the liver will not be able to get rid of all the toxins and you will become toxic leading to feeling unwell with headaches, feeling bloated and having water retention and cellulite build up.
2. Increase fruit and vegetables in your diet
Eating four pieces of fruit and four portions of vegetables daily equates to drinking a litre of water. Foods high in water are;
- Tomatoes
- Melons
- Lettuce
- Carrots
- Broccoli
In general, all fruit and vegetables are good to eat.
3. Improves mental function
If you deprive the body of water you will feel tired with no energy. Your mental function will be impaired. You will experience headaches or wake up with a clouded head as though you are hung over. Starving the brain of water creates mental confusion and, a lack of memory and concentration.
4. Improves physical activity
When you exercise you lose a large amount of water especially if you do strenuous exercise and sweat a lot. If the muscles are not well hydrated you will not be able to perform your best as you will be too tired to have a good workout. To get the most out of your workout you need to drink water before, during and after exercise.
5. Improves constipation
If you are not drinking enough water faeces will become dry and hard causing constipation. By being well hydrated you will have better bowel movements.
6. Keeps joints lubricated
By not drinking enough water your joints will become stiff and painful. Most people associate joint pain with arthritis but sometimes all you have to do is drink more water and the joints become less stiff and less painful.
7. Keeps your blood fluid
Water makes up approximately 90% of your blood. If you do not drink enough water then your blood risks becoming thick. If blood is too thick you run the risk of blood clots and heart disease.
8. Regulates body temperature and transports nutrients
Water helps limit changes in your body temperature when you are exposed to a warm or cold environment. When you are hot the body will release sweat and the evaporation of the water from the surface of the skin will cool the body. Water is the main transporter of nutrients throughout the body.
9. Is good for the skin
If the cells are deprived of water they will shrink and become dry. Lack of hydration will make the skin dry and wrinkles more prominent.
How to stay hydrated
- Always carry a bottle of water with you everywhere you go and sip on it throughout the day. It is better to sip on water slowly than to drink it all at once.
- Add lemon, cucumber, strawberries etc to your water to improve the taste.
- Increase your fruit and vegetable intake.
- Plenty of water should be consumed when drinking alcohol or beverages that contain caffeine. These substances dehydrate the body enormously so consumption should be moderate.
I hope you found this article on the benefits of drinking water to be a useful aid in your quest for a healthier lifestyle. If you would like to be informed of more health and wellness tips, please sign up for my newsletter for regular updates.