The human body is made up of 60-70% of water and every organ and system of our bodyh depends on it.We all know that after oxygen, water is the second most essential element that we need to survive.It is so essential that we can die of dehydration without it.
Dehydration is a condition that is caused by lack of sufficient water in the body to carry on the normal functions.Because each and every single cell in the body requires water to function properly, it is important to keep your body well-hydrated. So, drinking enough water is important to maintain optimum health and vitality.
Experts say that even a slight dehydration (as little as 1-2%) can drain your energy levels and make you feel tired and exhausted. Some common signs and symptoms of dehydration include the following:
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Extreme thirst
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue
The amount of water consumed by us everyday plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy and fit body. Regular and sufficient water consumption has countless health benefits. It is advised to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day to keep your body hydrated and fulfill its necessary requirements.
But since water is found everywhere on earth, we usually take it for granted most of the time. Most of us do not consider its importance and benefits seriously. Therefore, in this article we have gathered some interesting and amazing health benefits of consuming water that will surely help you live a better and healthier life.
Here are the 20 most interesting health benefits of drinking sufficient water:
“20 Most Interesting Health Benefits of Drinking Sufficient Water”
20. Improves Your Skin
Drinking enough water keeps your body well hydrated which in turn promotes a healthier and more nourished skin. It also improves the skin complexion, reduces wrinkles and other aging problems; it moisturizes the skin, combats skin diseases like eczema and dry skin, and makes your skin soft, healthy, glowing and smooth.
19. Helps In Weight Loss
Consuming plenty of water also aids in weight loss. It is advisable to drink water half an hour before meals in order to loose weight. Drinking water prior to meals will make your stomach feel full so you’ll eat fewer calories. This is known as the water diet plan which is a simple but effective DIY remedy for weight problem. It also helps boost your metabolic rate.
18. Prevents Dizziness
Another effective health benefit of drinking water is that it relieves hangovers and dizziness. A hangover is the unpleasant condition experienced after consuming alcohol. Since alcohol is a diuretic, it leads to dehydration which in turn causes thirst, dry mouth, headaches and fatigue. Thus, it is advisable to drink a glass of water between drinks and also at night before going to bed.
17. Relieves Headaches
A common reason of headaches and migraines is dehydration. So, whenever you’re having a headache, get yourself a glass of water first instead of taking any pills because water is the best medicine. Studies show that increasing water intake helps treat and prevent headaches.
16. Boosts Energy Levels And Brain Performance
Keeping your body hydrated is important for the brain to work properly. Research shows that even a slight dehydration can affect your energy levels, memory and brain performance. Hence, it is important to drink water for the proper functioning of the brain and increase energy level of the body.
15. Prevents The Formation Of Kidney Stones
Increased water intake helps reduce the chances of the development of stones in kidneys. Drinking more water boosts the quantity of urine passing through the kidneys. This in turn dilutes the salts and minerals in the urine that cause the formation of stones.
14. Washes Out All The Toxins
Water works as an excellent detoxifying agent as it washes out all the harmful toxins from the vital organs of your body. It helps get rid of all the waste of the body through urine and sweat which in turn reduces the chances of kidney stone formation.
13. Improves Physical Performance
If you workout a lot and tend to sweat, then staying hydrated is important because it can help you maximize your performance. Your physical performance can be significantly affected if you lose up to even 2% of your body’s water. So, optimal hydration is essential to prevent this from happening.
12. Reduces Fatigue
Increased fatigue is often the result of dehydration. If you often feel tired or lazy at times, then it’s a sign that your body might be short of water. It is seen that when there is lack of adequate water in the body, it becomes difficult for the heart to supply blood to the major organs and thus they slow down their functioning. Therefore, laziness and muscle fatigue can be prevented by drinking sufficient amount of water that your body needs.
11. Improves Digestion And Relieves Constipation
Lack of water in the body often causes constipation which makes it difficult for the stool to pass. Sufficient water consumption helps in better digestion of food and prevents/reduces constipation and other stomach problems. Water acts as a lubricant that aids in digestion and proper breaking down of food. It is advisable to drink lukewarm water for improved digestive health.
“If you want a younger looking skin, a healthier body, or shinier hair, then go through these amazing health benefits of drinking sufficient amount of water.”
10. Triggers Good Mood
Studies show that even a slight inadequacy of water can lead to negative emotions and bad mood. Your ability to think and your mood can be greatly affected by the hydration level of your body. So, it is important to keep your body hydrated in order to trigger good mood.
9. Reduces Bad Breath
Having bad smelly breath is really irritating for you and for others too. It shows that you are not drinking enough water because water intake keeps your mouth moist while washing away the food particles between your teeth. Also, rinsing your mouth with water after eating something removes bacteria and controls the bad breath problem.
8. Controls Body Temperature
Having a sufficient amount of water in your body also helps keep your body temperature controlled. It helps cool down your body by releasing heat through sweat. By having a well-regulated body temperature, you will feel more energetic especially while exercising.
7. Prevents Heart Attack
Sufficient water intake supports your heart and allows it to pump blood well through your body. When your body experiences dehydration, the blood becomes thicker which in turn forces the heart to work harder to circulate blood all around the body. This can lead to higher blood pressure and increased chances of heat attack. You should drink at least more than five glasses of water in a day to prevent the chances of getting a heart attack.
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6. Protects Against Cancers
Studies show that drinking considerable amount of water lowers the risk of cancers such as colon, breast and bladder cancer.This is because water has the ability to fight against the cancer causing bacteria in the body.
5. Maintains The pH Level
In order to function properly, our body requires a neutral pH7 range. Consuming enough water aids in maintaining this pH level.This in turn helps in the transportation of nutrients in the body.
4. Protects Joints, Muscles And Cartilage
Adequate water consumption also keeps the cartilage supple and hydrated which in turn helps our joints and muscles to stay lubricated, hence preventing pain and cramps. Water also protects our tissues and the spinal cord, which keeps us healthy from the inside.
3. Combats Infections And Boosts The Immune System
Keeping your body well-hydrated is the key to everything. People who tend to drink more water are less likely to get sick as compared to people who don’t consume enough water. Drinking plenty of water lowers the risk of infections, allergies and flu and helps boost the immune system.
2. Good For Hair And Eye Health
If you have damaged, dry and unhealthy hair, then you must increase your daily water intake. Studies show that increasing the daily water intake makes your hair healthier. Plus, it is also good for your eyes. Drinking sufficient water makes your eyes clear and whiter. It also reduces dark circles because mostly these unhealthy looking circles around the eyes are a cause of dehydration in the body.
1. Softens Your Lips
A prominent sign of dehydration is having dry and chapped lips. When your lips lack moisture and nourishment, they tend to become dark and dry. To keep your lips soft and pink, it is important to consume sufficient amount of water everyday.
By going through these benefits, it seems obvious that drinking sufficient amount of water is highly important for living a healthy and happy life. So, if you aren’t drinking enough water already, then reach the nearest water cooler and get yourself a glass of water right now!
Apart from these health benefits, you should also follow some do’s and don’ts when drinking water:
Do’s:
- Always drink filtered water as it is more purified than bottled water.
- Eat foods that are rich in water content such as cucumber and watermelon.
- Drink a glass of water early in the morning right after you wake up.
- Set a water reminder or an alarm. This will help you remember that you have to drink water.
- Carry with yourself a small bottle of water wherever you do. This way you will remember to intake water.
Don’ts:
- Avoid drinking too much water during meals because this dilutes the digestive juices and hampers digestion. Take water almost after an hour of taking a meal.
- Don’t drink too much water as it can reduce the ability of your kidneys to filter out waste and toxins. Always drink the amount of water that your body requires. It is always recommended to drink to your thirst.
- Never drink ice cold water or water that is too warm as both can harm your stomach. Always drink water that is at room temperature.
- Avoid drinking chlorinated water as it can harm your kidneys and other vital organs of your body. It is better to boil the water before drinking.
