6 Great Benefits of Drinking Water

1. Water Improves Physical and Mental Performance.
You wouldn’t drive a car without gas, right? Water is the purest energy source around. Water transports essential nutrients to your muscle cells so you can power through your workouts and recover from your sweat sessions faster. You feel more energy when you get the right amount of water every day. Water may help alleviate and sometimes prevent muscle fatigue and other effects of consistent exercise and exertion. Around 6-10% of the body’s water is lost through sweat during strenuous physical activity. Even tasks as simple as your heart pumping blood throughout your body requires water. As so, it needs to be replenished as soon as possible to retain normal function.

How does your brain get the nutrients it needs to function? You guessed it: water.

When your body has enough to drink, your mind will feel better for it too. You’ll be more capable of clear thinking and you’re sure to feel more positive overall.

2. Keep Your Skin & Hair Healthy
Who knew that water could help your exterior as much as your interior? Studies show that drinking enough water can give your skin and hair a beautiful, boosted look.

Your skin is technically an organ. And just like your kidneys and muscles, water purification can help performance. Think about adding a glass of water to your beauty routine. Mild to moderate dehydration can lead to dry skin, while severe dehydration may cause skin that’s shriveled and lacks elasticity. If you’re the kind of person who has problems with the texture of your skin, keep in mind that drinking enough water in a day is usually enough to solve the issue for many people—or at least to get you on the path to success. If your skin is very dry and flaky, you can’t go wrong by drinking more water in a day to see if that makes a difference.

Drinking plenty of water also gives your hair a more vibrant appearance in no time. When you’re dehydrated, your hair shows it, and it becomes brittle, dull, and may fall out more frequently, too. The more you keep up with your daily water intake, the better off the texture and appearance of your hair will be.

3. Water Helps with Digestion
If you’re having digestive issues, the answer to your problem could be found in a glass of water. It may sound a little strange, but it makes sense when you think about it. Water plays a large role in the digestive process and prevents from overeating. The presence of water can help break down large bits of food so your body can absorb the nutrients. When we eat, food builds up in our bodies and can cause bloating, constipation, and irregularity. If you’re the type of person who has trouble with digestion in just about any way, you can do your body a big favor by making sure you get enough water every day. Regularly drinking water can help move food through our bodies more quickly, helping us to avoid discomfort. And you’ll soon see positive results including more regular bathroom trips and easier digestion no matter what you eat.

Who knew water was so multifaceted.

4. Water Helps with Weight Loss
Water and weight loss go hand in hand. It’s no secret that drinking plenty of water is a sure path to success in losing and maintaining your weight. Researchers found drinking water had a handful of benefits. Most notably, a higher water intake meant a lower calorie intake. Help cut calories by hydrating with zero-calorie water, instead of sugary beverages. And drinking extra water in a day can help flush away the excesses sodium in your diet and keep those pounds falling away, too.

Drinking water a half hour or so before every meal is a great way to feel fuller, faster. Even just one glass should be enough to keep the temptation of reaching for seconds or thirds away. On average, it’s estimated that those who drink water before a meal consume about 75 fewer calories per meal. While that may not sound like a lot, it adds up over the span of a few days. Don’t waste empty calories, choose a healthier and hydrating alternative and give your body what it needs.

5. It Can Improve Sleep
Drinking extra water in a day can help you improve your sleep, too. You may find that you’re more hydrated throughout the night and don’t wake up with a dry mouth or feeling parched after you’ve been asleep for only a few hours.

6. Water Maintains Overall Well-Being and Health
Water keeps our bodies functioning. Water is our body’s principal chemical component. Our body depends on water to survive. Every cell, tissue and organ in your body needs water to work properly.

For example, water:

• Gets rid of wastes through urination, perspiration and bowel movements.
• Keeps your temperature normal.
• Lubricates and cushions joints.
• Protects sensitive tissues.

Lack of water can lead to dehydration — a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired. Your body also loses fluids during sickness when you have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea. Drinking water can help keep you hydrated. For the best results, make sure you drink high-quality water.

Simple tips on how to drink more water everyday

1. Set a Timer & Create Mental Triggers: Daily schedules fill up quickly meaning water falls to the wayside.
To keep hydration a priority, set a timer to sound every 30 minutes as a reminder to replenish. Or, create alarms on your phone, computer, or smartwatch. You can also pay close attention to your body’s cues for rehydration. This can include headaches, fatigue, dry mouth, bright-colored urine, and cravings for salty foods. If you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

2. Integrate Water into Your Routine: Another way to drink more water is to incorporate it as part of your daily routine.
For example, when you are about to consume a meal, try drinking a glass before you put fork to plate. One of the easiest ways to do this is by drinking a glass of water before you head to bed. Refill it before you turn the lights off and be sure to drink the full glass in the morning after you wake as well. Integrating little changes that increase your daily water intake can make a big difference towards better health.

3. Bring a Water Bottle with You Wherever You Go:
So, now you might be wondering “how can I make myself drink more water?” The answer is simple – invest in a water bottle. Specifically, look for water bottles that help you drink more water by lighting up when it’s time to drink. Best of all, there’s a water bottle for everyone. For those who prefer cold water, look for an insulated bottle. If you want your bottle to match your outfit, take your pick from the endless prints at your disposal.

4. Add flavor to your water:
You can add a little bit of excitement and flavor by steeping fresh fruit (grapefruit, strawberries, lemon), veggie slices (cucumber, ginger, celery), and herbs (basil, mint, lavender) in your carafe. The longer you let it steep, the tastier each cup will be. And you can play around with different combos, like cucumber mint or basil lemon.

5. Dilute sugary drinks with water and ice:
If you’re drinking something extra sweet like juice, lemonade, or iced tea, water down your beverage by adding ice or even diluting a cup with Aqua-Life water. You’ll still get the sweetness you’re craving and have some extra water at the same time.

Beyond the tap: Other sources of water

In addition, beverages such as milk, juice and herbal teas are composed mostly of water. Even caffeinated drinks — such as coffee and soda — can contribute to your daily water intake. Caffeinated drinks such as coffee will provide a quick boost, but you’re ultimately depriving your system. And it may not dehydrate you but it can still leave you feeling distracted and jittery. Sports drinks should be used only when you’re exercising intensely for more than an hour. These drinks help replace electrolytes lost through perspiration and sugar needed for energy during longer bouts of exercise. Energy drinks are different from sports drinks. Energy drinks generally aren’t formulated to replace electrolytes. Energy drinks also usually contain large amounts of caffeine or other stimulants, sugar, and other additives.

Water is your best bet because it’s calorie-free, inexpensive and readily available.