Water is the number one drink that humans, animals, and plants need in order to survive. About 55% to 60% of the human body is made up of water. It is essential to make your whole body to function properly. Many illnesses will develop if your body lacks water. Each day, you lose water by urinating, sweating, and bowel movements.
That is why it is important to drink plenty of it, but not too much. So, what is exactly the right amount of it? It is advisable to drink an average of 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. If you’re a physically active person who sweats a lot, then you should drink more. It has many good benefits which will improve your overall health.
Here are 10 REASONS why you should always drink water:
1. Prevents Dehydration
When you drink small amounts of water in a day, there is a very big chance of dehydration. It occurs when your body loses more of it than you consume. It means that that your body is not having enough water. As we all know, it is needed for the cells of the body to function well so dehydration may be very dangerous. So, it is advised by health professionals to always stay hydrated at all times to improve your overall health.
2. Maintains Body Temperature
Drinking plenty of water a day is beneficial for maintaining good body temperature. So how does it actually helps in regulating your body temperature? Here’s how…
Whenever your body feels warm due to physical activities or you are out in the sunlight, your body will cool itself down by releasing sweat. When you sweat, it means that your body is losing fluid. So, drinking water will replace the fluid that you lost when you were sweating. Not drinking enough of it will not make your body produce enough sweat to it cool down whenever it needs to. So, if you want a well-maintained body temperature, drink up.
3. Improves Circulation Of Oxygen
Water is needed to transport the oxygen and nutrients your entire body needs. Blood is actually made up of liquids and solids. The liquid portion of your blood is called plasma, and 90% of plasma is water. The solid portion is composed of blood cells. Your blood is the main fluid in the body that is responsible for transporting the oxygen to the entire body’s cells, tissues, and organs.
In short, your blood is mostly made up of water. So, drinking enough of it will help your body to circulate oxygen and important nutrients that your body needs for your overall health.
4. Your Kidneys Will Thank You
Your kidneys are important organs responsible for removing waste products including bacteria out of your body in a form of urine. Drinking the right amount of water a day will help your kidneys flush out wastes from your blood. It will prevent you from possibly having urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
5. Regulates Bowel Movement
Adequate amount of water will help your body by increasing water content in the gut and process your bowel movement and prevent constipation. Drinking the right amount of it can help soften your stool and improve your bowel movement.
6. Helps In The Production Of Muscles
Your body actually uses water to build and make muscles stronger. Studies have shown that it plays a major role in carrying nutrients needed for the production of protein and glycogen structures, which is needed for the development of muscles. That is why athletes like basketball players, MMA fighters, and body builders have a good habit of drinking water because they know that it is essential for muscle development. According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, your muscles are composed of 79% water.
So, if you frequently exercise, which is good for your overall health. Then, drink lots of water to replace the sweat that you lost.
7. Lubricate Your Joints
If your joints are not lubricated well, then you won’t be able to move it because the bones will rub together which will cause pain. The synovial fluid in your joints serves as cushion and decreases friction. Without this fluid, then you cannot move it and your joints will surely be damaged. Drinking plenty of water a day will help in lubricating your joints. As said above, water is essential for the whole body to work properly. You should also consume foods high in omega-3 fatty acids which can be found in salmons, mackerel, sardines, chia seeds, or walnuts.
8. Hydrates Your Skin
Drinking plenty of water a day will not only hydrate your body internally, it will also hydrate and moisturize your skin. The right amount of it in your body hydrates the cells, as well as your skin. Drinking water will also prevent your skin from being dry. That is why dermatologists recommend staying hydrated at all times.
9. Improves Cognitive Function And Mood
As said earlier, water helps in transporting oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in your body, It also helps in the removal of wastes such as bacteria and toxins in the form of urine. So how does drinking water helps in improving the brain function and mood?
Drinking plenty of water will help your body transport oxygen to your brain. So it means that your brain will function well, and it will also improve your mood. Some studies have shown that people who always stay hydrated are more happier and calm compared to those who drink small amounts per day.
So, just try to follow what the doctors and other health experts are saying, drink plenty of water a day.
10. Longer Lifespan
According to Science, being disciplined enough to stay hydrated decreases the chance of developing heart diseases, high blood pressure, kidney problems, or colon cancer. Just remember that water is a huge factor for your overall health because it hydrates your whole body.
So if you are a person who drinks the right amount of it a day, then GOOD JOB!
Author: Shy A.