The Case With Drinking Water

Ok so my initial title for this post was ‘The Case With Staying Hydrated’ but I decided not to make it fancy because this is serious business! A lot of people do not know the need to staying hydrated nor the benefits of drinking water. People need to live healthy!

Why is staying hydrated so important?

Our bodies need water for proper functioning of the cells, tissues and organs.

Drinking water helps to maintain the balance of body fluids. Did you know that more than half of your body is composed of water? All this water helps with critical functions like maintaining body temperature, cushioning and protecting organs and aiding digestion. The body constantly loses water every day through sweat, urine and even when we breathe and not drinking water can interfere with the body’s necessary function.

Staying hydrated helps to remove toxic waste which is harmful to the body if allowed to remain in the body, as well as lubricate the joints.

Drinking water boots brain power. According to a new study published in the Journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, drinking water when you feel thirsty can help you think and act. So the next time you feel like you are reacting a bit slow to your friends’ jokes, try drinking some water!

Drinking water also helps with appetite control and gut health. Sometimes, thirst can be confused with hunger. Adequate intake of water regulates bowel movement whereas inadequate intake of water leads to constipation.

Staying hydrated also lowers the risk of heart attacks. A worsening of coronary disease can lead to a heart attack. One study in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that drinking more water is associated with a decrease in the risk of coronary heart disease while drinking liquids other than water actually increased the chances of the disease.

Drinking water also helps to improve mood as well as lose weight. Lack of sleep isn’t the only cause of headaches, irritability and fatigue. Studies suggest that increasing your daily amount of water intake can reduce the intensity and duration of headaches.

It is recommended that we should take 6-8 (8-ounce) glasses of water each day.

Symptoms of dehydration include little or no urine, dark urine, confusion, headache, dry mouth and fatigue. People at higher risk of dehydration are people that exercise at high intensity, have certain medical conditions such as diarrhea.

If you are concerned that you are not drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is consistently colorless or light yellow, you are most likely staying hydrated. Dark yellow or amber coloured urine is a sign of dehydration.

And always remember guys, water is the best option for staying hydrated. It has no real substitute!