If you read a fair amount of articles on how to stay healthy, you will notice there is one bit of information that comes up over and over again, and that’s to stay hydrated.
Experts recommend that men drink 15.5 cups of water a day and women drink 11.5. That’s a lot of water!
But do you know why staying hydrated is so important? Read on to find out.
#1. It Prevents Dry Mouth
Water prevents dry mouth which can lead to bad breath and an increased number of cavities.
#2. It’s Heart Healthy
Dehydration lowers your blood volume. This forces your heart to work harder to get oxygen to your cells It makes physical activity more difficult and it is bad for your heart in general.
#3. It Keeps Your Body Cool
Your body releases heat by expanding blood vessels that are close to the skin’s surface. This improves blood flow while allowing heat to dissipate into the air. When you are dehydrated, a higher temperature is required for blood vessels to expand so you stay hotter longer. This increases your risk of overheating.
#4. It’s Good for Muscles and Joints
When you’re hydrated, the water inside and outside of the contracting muscles provide adequate nutrients to the body while removing waste efficiently. This helps you perform better and it also keeps joints lubricated. Although many believe water also reduces muscle cramps, studies show cramps are a direct result of muscle fatigue.
#5. It’s Good for Skin
The hydration that goes into your body can also help keep skin hydrated. The water provides your skin with increased elasticity. However, contrary to popular belief, drinking water can not reduce wrinkles.
#6. It Cleanses Your Body
Kidneys need water to function properly. They excrete the water into urine to filter waste from the blood. Water also reduces urinary infections and kidney stones. Without water, your kidneys may stop functioning causing toxins to build up in your body.
#7. Promotes Weight Loss
Studies have shown that people who drink water are more likely to lose weight than people who do not. This may be due to the fact that thirst often disguises itself as hunger.
#8. Boosts Energy
Studies have shown that drinking water before, during and after exercise can help reduce fatigue and increase endurance. What’s more, it’s necessary to hydrate during and after working out to replace water lost through perspiration and reduce muscle soreness.
#9. Boosts Cognitive Functioning
When you’re fatigued in the middle of the day, try boosting productivity by drinking a glass of water. Drinking water has been shown to improve brain power. Studies have revealed that people are better able to complete cognitive tasks after drinking water as opposed to those that don’t hydrate.
Now that you know the benefits of drinking water, how many cups will you be drinking a day?
