The Health Benefits Of Water

We have all heard of the accolades for superfoods, from the dark and leafy kale to the buttery and rich avocado. But how often do we talk about the importance of the mighty but humble water? And if you knew how much it benefited you to drink it, you’d ditch the imitators and stick to this liquid gold.

The Facts

Humans are made up of about 75% water. We lose water constantly, through sweat, body waste, and even through breathing. This means that if we don’t continue to replenish the lost water, we risk a wide range of symptoms from kidney stones to brain fog, all of which relate to dehydration.

The brain and kidneys contain the highest amount, coming in at around 85%; key organs within our bodies and essential to our survival. To function at our best, we need to stay hydrated lest we affect ourselves both physically and mentally.

The Warning Signs of Dehydration

We lose approximately 2.5 liters of water every day; to stay hydrated, we need to replenish a minimum of 1.5 liters, or 6-7 cups of water to stay at our optimum. This will, however, depend upon your age, your exercise level, and even where you live, for example, the desert versus the arctic.

Knowing the signs of dehydration is typically a case of simply paying attention to your body. Are you feeling thirsty? This is often the foremost sign that you are beginning the first stage of dehydration. What follows can be a range of symptoms, from a dry mouth to constipation and dark urine.

Lightheadedness, fatigue, and headaches are also common ailments of dehydration, as well as tight muscles that are easily pulled through movement. If you notice any of these symptoms, whether they occur frequently or not, pay attention to your consumed amount of water before you reach for medication.

The Benefits of Water

• It Rehydrates and Cleanses the Body

Remember how I mentioned our kidneys are around 85% water? Well, they need this water to help filter waste from the blood and release it as urine. And drinking enough ensures you are at less risk for kidney stones.

• It Can Aid in Preventing and Treating Headaches

Those who suffer from headaches know how detrimental they can be to functioning at everyday tasks. Making sure you drink water throughout the day can make a big difference in how often these killjoys show up.

• It Can Help with Brain Function

Just like the kidneys, the brain is mostly water. Not enough water and we can find ourselves moody, unable to focus, and can be extremely tired. Be sure to drink enough to keep your brain functioning at its peak. For more benefits to keep your brain healthy, take a look at our post on 7 ways to improve your brain health.

• It Can Aid in Weight Loss

It has been long believed that drinking water 30 minutes before a meal can help prevent overeating. This is not just because water helps us to feel fuller, but also because we can sometimes mistake thirst for hunger.

Researchers believe that not only can drinking more water speed up your metabolism but also if you choose cold water versus warm, your body burns more calories changing it to your body’s core temperature. To learn more about how water can help you lose weight, check out our post on 7 easy weight loss without exercise tips.

Tips to Stay Hydrated

The importance of water goes beyond simply staying hydrated; it aids us in being able to perform at our best. Not a big water drinker? Don’t worry, water can be consumed through foods, such as salads and soups, both of which contain water-rich nutrients.

You can also boost the flavor of water by adding fruit and herbs to it. And you can even make your water bubbly for that similar soft drink effect. Lastly, try carrying around a water bottle wherever you go or use a water tracking app to ensure that you are getting what you need.

Remember, you are what you eat, or in this case, what you drink.