What’s odorless, tasteless, colorless and an essential part of any diet? Water, of course! Processes such as digestion, creation of saliva and the regulation of body temperature require that our bodies maintain the correct balance of water.
We naturally lose water when we breathe, perspire, or pass urine and stool. We run the risk of dehydration when water lost is not replaced at a reasonable rate. We can get the water our body needs from plain water, liquids and food (trying to ensure that our sources are as healthful as possible). Here are 6 great reasons to ensure that your body gets the water it deserves.
6 Benefits Of Drinking Water
- Body fluids are kept in balance as your brain regulates how much water is excreted in urine and how much is retained in the blood. Don’t ignore the thirst cues your brain sends. Grab a glass of water, juice, coffee, or milk. Just about anything will do (except alcohol which can lead to dehydration through excess of water loss).
- Your kidneys need an adequate supply of water to effectively rid the body of wastes and toxins. Your chances of developing kidney stones are greatly reduced if you drink enough water. Urine that is light-colored, odorless and flows freely is an indication that you are getting enough water.
- Normal bowel function relies on you taking in sufficient water. You keep constipation at bay and your colon does not need to reabsorb water from your stools to maintain your body’s hydration level.
- Water plays a vital role in weight loss and maintenance. Use it to quench your thirst or to replace a sugary high-calorie beverage to go with you meal. Opt for healthy foods with a high water content that will lessen your calories while giving you beneficial nutrients. Some good sources are fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, broth-based soups, and beans.
- Muscle fatigue, from dehydrated muscles, occurs when cells do not maintain the right balance of electrolytes and water. This means you need to regularly replace water lost during exercise or other strenuous activity. Drink approximately 17 ounces of water 2 hours prior to exercise and keep up regular replacement of water lost due to sweating.
- Your skin actually contains a high percentage of water and has the function of preventing excess water loss from the body. Drinking sufficient water is a smart way to keep your skin looking and feeling good. It won’t erase wrinkles, but it can combat the drying, withered effect of dehydration.
The amount of water we consume directly impacts our state of health. So fill your glass or grab a wedge of juicy melon and let’s toast to your health!