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!