Drinking an adequate amount of water daily is important for overall good health because water aids in digestion, circulation, absorption and even excretion.
But what about drinking large amounts of water for proper skin health? Claims have been made that drinking water gives you a radiant, healthy, younger- looking complexion, while others say it has no effect on skin’s appearance whatsoever.
Water and the Human Body
Your body by weight is more than half water. In fact, water is a component in every tissue, organ, and cell in your body. Likewise, most chemical reactions in the body require water. This includes digestion, metabolism, and breathing. Intestines and kidneys cannot effectively rid your body of waste without adequate hydration. To put it mildly, life could not go on without water in some form — your body simply could not function.
According to the CDC, drinking water is essential for optimal health. Proper hydration prevents constipation, mood swings, kidney stones, and overheating.
1. Keeping in balance
Water makes up about 60 percent of your body. Drinking enough H2O maintains your body’s fluid balance, which helps with nutrient transportation, temperature regulation, digestion, and more.
2. Maintains a Healthy Digestion
Water is a vital component that ensures the proper function of the gastrointestinal tract. Sufficient water intake improves the body’s ability to break down food, hence promoting a smooth-functioning digestive system. It prevents constipation as well as reduces gas and bloating.
When the body has inadequate water supply, the colon absorbs water in an effort to hydrate the body. This often results in an altered fluid balance in the gut and constipation.
3. Muscle fuel
Sweating at the gym causes your muscles to lose water. And when your muscles don’t have enough water, they get tired. For extra energy or to push through that final set of squats, try simply refilling your water bottle and taking a few slugs.
4. Promotes Proper Kidney Function
In order to work properly and efficiently, the kidneys require adequate fluids to clear the unwanted wastes from the body. Water acts as a medium to flush out the toxins from the body via sweat and urine.
Studies show that that increased water consumption reduces the risk of nephrolithiasis, chronic kidney disease, and kidney stones.
5. Productivity boost
A glass of water may be just what you need to really focus at work. Research has shown that even mild dehydration can have negative effects on attention and memory.Trusted Source
Plus, the more you drink, the more often you’ll need to take bathroom breaks. Those quick walks to the loo will help you stay alert, too.
6. Promotes Weight Loss
Removes by-products of fat, reduces eating intake (by filling up your tummy if consumed prior to meals), reduces hunger (hello natural appetite suppressant!), raises your metabolism and has zero calories!
7. Control Your Calorie Intake
Water has always been a component of a healthy diet. Water doesn’t have calories. Thus, it is a better hydrating choice than high-caloric beverages to reduce calories. Likewise, food that has a high water content tend to looks larger and keep you fuller than low water foods. These high water foods include fruits, veggies, soups with a broth base, oatmeal, and beans.
8. Reduces Risk for Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTI) occur when bacteria moves from the bladder to the urethra to contaminate the genitourinary system. UTIs are associated with low fluid intake and output as well as increased urine osmolality and acidity.
Women are more prone to UTIs because they have shorter urethras than men.
9. Treats Headaches and Migraines
Staying hydrated helps you become more alert, composed, and focused, ultimately improving your productivity. An inadequate fluid status can have the opposite effect, triggering headaches or migraine episodes.
Chronic mild dehydration may lead to headaches, in which water intake could help alleviate.
A randomized control study that included people suffering from at least two moderately intense headaches a month or five mildly intense headaches a month assessed the impact of drinking more water.
10. Maintain Healthy Skin
Your skin is also largely made up of water and acts as a barrier to prevent fluid loss from your body. Proper hydration isn’t a miracle wrinkle remover. But dehydrated skin is more wrinkled and dry. Make sure you are providing your body with adequate hydration, and your kidneys will do the rest.
