Staying hydrated is essential for our bodies to function properly. Water plays a major role in the body, helping it regulate its temperature, protect vital organs and tissues and ensure that nutrients are delivered throughout the body. Unfortunately, many people don’t drink enough water every day. If you’re one of these people, here are 16 reasons why staying hydrated is not an option but a necessity.
Flushes Out Toxins
Water is important for good health as it facilitates digestion, removes intestine waste, reduces constipation, and maintains healthy bowel movements. Drinking water detoxifies your body, flushing heavy metals, toxins, and other contaminants. It also keeps your kidneys functioning properly and eliminates waste products from the blood.
Boosts Energy
When dehydrated, your energy levels are affected, often resulting in a feeling of lethargy. Consuming adequate amounts of water helps keep your body and mind in top form, improving mental focus while increasing alertness. Rehydrating the body and improving cognitive function is effortless with this product of nature.
Aids Circulation
Your circulatory system needs water to function effectively. Dehydration causes low blood pressure and decreased hemoglobin and red blood cell volume; this means that the oxygen required for your cells to function properly is not fully delivered. Water keeps your blood pressure stable, maintains the nutrient supply in your body, and transports hormones.
Keeps Skin Hydrated
Water keeps your skin supple and healthy, preventing dryness and flakiness. It maintains the elasticity of your skin, which prevents wrinkles and other signs of premature aging, keeping your skin robust, soft, and youthful. Hydrated skin also aids in faster wound healing and reduces the appearance of scars and acne breakouts. If you want healthy skin, drink enough water daily.
Lubricates Joints
Water lubricates the joints, which ensures that they move without any friction. This prevents joint pain and stiffness, especially in old age. In addition to this, hydrated cartilage helps cushion the bones and increases their flexibility. Even a small amount of dehydration can decrease your mobility and make everyday activities difficult.
Boosts Immune System
Water keeps the immune system functioning at an optimal level. It facilitates the proper circulation of cells in the body, helping the lymphatic system to transport nutrients and antibodies necessary for fighting off infections and diseases. Enough water intake improves your body’s ability to fight illness and infection.
Cushions Organs
Your vital organs, like the heart, brain, and lungs, are cushioned by a protective layer of fluid made up mostly of water. This cushioning helps them function properly and prevents damage. Water helps protect these organs from shock and other adverse health effects due to external factors.
Replenishes Fluids
During physical activity or heat, you lose fluids through sweat, which is a natural response of your body to cool itself. It’s important to replace these lost fluids to avoid dehydration; water replenishes these fluids. Proper hydration supports healthy muscle functioning, allowing you to work out longer and with more intensity.
Aids Digestion
Water keeps your digestive system running smoothly by providing lubrication for food particles to move through your digestive tract. It also helps the digestive system to break down and absorb nutrients more efficiently. Adequate water consumption promotes digestive health by alleviating constipation. Bloating is kept at bay while reducing the risk of hard stools.
Improves Mood
Being properly hydrated helps improve your mood. Studies have shown that even mild dehydration can affect mood negatively and lead to feelings of confusion, irritability, and tiredness. Drinking enough water keeps you alert and focused throughout the day while improving your energy levels. It also helps reduce cravings for sugary snacks.
Prevents Headaches
A range of unpleasant symptoms can quickly arise without proper hydration, from headaches and dizziness to fatigue or fainting. When you’re dehydrated, water helps to balance the electrolytes in your body; this vital process ensures successful nerve transmission and prevents debilitating headaches.
Helps Weight Loss
Drinking plenty of water is important to maintaining a healthy weight. People who don’t drink enough water tend to consume more calories than necessary, as they misinterpret thirst for hunger. Additionally, drinking cold water helps boost the metabolism because your body needs to expend energy to heat it up before digestion.
Enhances Nutrient Absorption
Water helps your body absorb and assimilate nutrients. When food passes through your digestive tract, water facilitates the movement of those nutrients into the bloodstream, enabling you to benefit from their nourishment. Without adequate hydration, it’s impossible for this process to work correctly.
Regulates Body Temperature
Sweating is the body’s natural cooling mechanism. When sweat evaporates from your skin, it carries heat away and helps keep your temperature balanced. Without enough water to produce sweat, the body can become overheated in hot environments or during strenuous exercise. Water also plays a role in maintaining a normal body temperature when you’re not exposed to extreme temperatures.
Boosts Performance
Water helps the muscles work more efficiently, which is especially important during physical activity. It also helps reduce fatigue by keeping your body well-hydrated and providing oxygen to the cells. Staying hydrated can improve physical performance, making it easier to exercise for longer periods. Also, drinking water before, during, and after a workout can help with muscle recovery.
Creates Saliva
Saliva is a vital part of the digestive system, and it helps break down food particles in the mouth. Saliva is mostly made up of water, so drinking enough water helps keep your saliva production optimal. Water also keeps your breath fresh, cleansing excess bacteria from your mouth.
This article was produced on Health Makes You.