Posted by Water makes up the most of our body weight and is involved in so many important bodily functions such as flushing out waste, regulating body temperature and helping with brain function.
We usually get our fluids from drinks but some foods also contain significant amounts of water such as soups and watermelon.
Here are reasons why drinking water is essential for a healthy well-being:
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Creates saliva
Water is the main component of saliva alongside small amounts of electrolytes, mucus and enzymes. Saliva is needed to break down solid food and keep the mouth healthy. Our body generally produces just enough of saliva with regular fluid intake. However, the amount of saliva may be disrupted due to age or certain medications.
If your mouth is unusually drier even with usual amounts of fluid intake, it is best to see a doctor.
2. Regulates body temperature
Staying hydrated is important as it helps maintain our body temperature. Our body will naturally lose water through sweat during exercises and hot environments. Our sweat keeps the body cool but our body’s temperature will rise if we don’t replenish the fluids we lost. This is because our body loses electrolytes and plasma when it’s dehydrated.
If you are sweating more than usual, make sure to drink plenty of water in order to avoid excessive dehydration.
3. Protects tissues, spinal cord and joints
Water consumption helps lubricate and cushion our joints, spinal cord and tissues. This will enable you to enjoy physical activity and lessen any discomfort such as arthritis.
4. Helps excrete waste through perspiration, urination and defecation
Our body uses water to sweat, urinate and have healthy bowel movements.
Sweat helps regulate body temperature when we’re exercising or in warm climates. We need water to replenish the lost fluids from sweating. We also need water to have healthy bowel movements and to avoid constipation.
Our kidneys are the main organs in filtering out waste through urination. Adequate water intake helps the kidneys to work more efficiently and avoid diseases such as kidney stones.
5. Helps maximise physical performance
Drinking enough flu during exercising is essential. Athletes may perspire up to 6% to 10% of their body weight. As a result, hydration is critical to achieving peak strength, power, and endurance. Participating in high-intensity activities like swimming or basketball, may cause you to be more susceptible to the consequences of dehydration.
Exercise without enough water can have dangerous consequences, such as low blood pressure and heat. If left untreated, it can possibly induce seizures and even death.
6. Helps prevent constipation
Fibre digestion is not the sole technique to avoid constipation. It is also critical that you have enough water in your system. Constipation is more likely if you do not consume enough water, magnesium, and fibre.
7. Aids digestion
Drinking water before, during, and after a meal, according to experts, helps break down the food you eat much simpler. This will aid digestion and ensure that you obtain the most nutrients from your meal. According to research, the body can adjust to variations in meal consistency and stomach content.
8. Helps with nutrient absorption
Other than helping the body break down food, water also helps dissolve vitamins and minerals from your food. It will then deliver these vitamins to the rest of your body.
9. Helps lose weight
Studies show that drinking water while dieting and exercising may help you lose extra pounds in overweight girls and women.
10. Improves blood oxygen circulation
Water helps carry beneficial nutrients and oxygen to the entire body. Providing your body with an adequate amount of fluidwill significantly impact your overall health.
11. Helps fight off illness
Drinking enough water can help prevent certain medical conditions such as:
- Constipation
- Kidney stones
- Exercise-induced asthma
- Urinary tract infection
- Hypertension
12. Helps boost energy
Drinking water can activate your metabolism and offer you a boost of energy. According to one study, drinking 500ml of fluids can increase your metabolic rate by 30% in both men and women and can take effect for more than an hour.
13. Aids cognitive function
Proper hydration is key to staying mentally healthy. Research shows that not drinking enough water can cause you to lose focus easily and have short-term memory.
14. Helps improve mood
Not getting enough water can also impact your emotional and mental well-being. Dehydration may result in fatigues and confusion as well as anxiety and panic attacks.
15. Helps keep skin bright
Adequate fluid intake can help maintain skin’s elasticity and promote collagen production. However, water intake is not enough to reduce the effects of aging. Therefore, it is important to take care of your skin with both fluids intake and proper facial care.
16. Prevents overall dehydration
Dehydration can impact your body functions and can be dangerous for your health. Severe dehydration can cause multiple problems such as:
- Brain swelling
- Kidney failure
- Seizures