9 BENEFITS OF DRINKING ENOUGH WATER DAILY

If you are sceptical about the hype around the health benefits of water highlighted by the speakers during the celebration of World Water Day, then you are not alone. Most people reach for a glass of water only when they feel thirsty. Quenching thirst is not the only function of water.  Drinkable water is required to facilitate a variety of metabolic processes in the body. Not drinking enough water may cause one to suffer from dehydration, which can be life-threatening in case the body loses a large volume of water through sweating or diarrhoea.

Water enables our brain to function normally, flushes out toxic waste from the body, and contributes to regulating body temperature. The human body gets water from various sources such as foods and beverages. Understanding the function of water in maintaining human well-being is crucial to dispel various misconceptions. Let us dive deeper to appreciate the benefits of water and its vital role in maintaining our health.

Benefits of water and its vital role in maintaining our health

1. Water is crucial for optimum functioning of the brain

We all have witnessed this interesting benefit of water. For instance, if you are feeling stressed and confused, and someone offers you a glass of water, you start feeling fresh, and your thoughts become clearer as soon as you drink water! In addition to that, offering a glass of water to anyone who enters the home is a tradition in several parts of India. This is an age-old custom that is enough to highlight the importance of water.

Dehydration impacts the body’s ability to save water and electrolytes. Loss of electrolytes may lead to weakness and confusion. Even slight dehydration can affect you both physically and mentally. Water is a vital constituent of our brain and maintains the electrolytic balance in the body. A lack of adequate water intake results in short-term memory loss and can also impact mental focus. A study about the importance of water proves that water facilitates the cognitive functions of the brain.

2. Water is vital for a healthy cardiovascular system

Water is required for the proper functioning of blood. Loss of water can lead to a higher blood concentration. Also, it affects the total circulating volume of blood, consequently disturbing the functioning of the heart.

One of the most notable benefits of water is it supports the normal functioning of muscles by maintaining an optimum electrolytic balance. As a type of muscle, the heart requires adequate water for its proper functioning. The light-headed feeling you often experience because of dehydration is the result of a decrease in blood pressure. Water participates in the transportation of nutrients and oxygen. This function of water improves general well-being and maintains cardiac health.

3. Water helps you remain disease-free

One urologist jokingly mentioned that urologists would be out of business if every individual started drinking sufficient water. On a serious note, adequate water intake can prevent the formation of kidney stones, a common condition treated by urologists. Besides that, drinking enough water is necessary for soft stools, as inadequate fluid intake usually causes constipation.

Water promotes the easy removal of cough from the lungs if an individual is suffering from a respiratory illness. For the same reason, doctors recommend proper intake of water to manage exercise-induced asthma. Increased urine production due to more water intake can help relieve hypertension. Maintenance of appropriate electrolyte balance is one of the main benefits of water. Also, water prevents dehydration and helps avoid serious consequences such as kidney failure, seizures, and swelling. Faster recovery is also one of the benefits of coconut water.

4. Water maintains energy levels and improves mood

Proper metabolism positively impacts your energy levels. The importance of water in promoting various metabolic processes is proven. The metabolism-enhancing benefits of water can sustain for a long time if you drink water frequently. Drink water in sufficient quantity to maintain and improve your mood because lack of water can cause loss of focus and temporary loss of memory.

5. Water improves the health of skin and hair

Keeping yourself hydrated is the key to healthy skin and hair. Water aids several functions of the body, such as collagen production. Consume water regularly to achieve healthy and younger-looking skin. Also, staying hydrated by drinking a lot of water is good for people with dry skin. Water fights the dryness of the skin and enhances the appearance, and the skin looks bright and healthy.

Drink water frequently if you sweat a lot to prevent your skin from drying. Drinking sufficient water will also help you maintain the natural shine of your hair during winter, as the cold season can lead to flaking and dryness of the scalp. You may consider drinking mineral water when going for an outing or picnic.

6. Water: your weight-loss companion

An increase in fluid or water intake is beneficial if you are considering weight loss. Water helps reduce fat. Also, drinking water before meals can result in early satiety and thus help in weight loss by restricting the amount of food intake.

7. Water enhances absorption of vital nutrients

For a nutrient to exert its beneficial effect, it needs to be absorbed and reach various organs. Water contributes to higher rates of nutrient absorption as it can easily dissolve a broad spectrum of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

8. Water is beneficial for healthy eyes

Our eyes need water to maintain a moist environment for their proper functioning. Dryness of the eyes can lead to various complications. Therefore, it is necessary to drink a lot of water to maintain healthy eyes.

9. Water aids saliva production

One of the most interesting benefits of water is the production of saliva. Saliva plays a vital role during digestion. Water is the main component of saliva, which maintains good oral hygiene by destroying bacteria and speeding up the healing of wounds in the mouth. Also, saliva is essential for breaking down food into smaller pieces.

How much water should we drink every day?

Now that you know several benefits of water, let us understand how much water one should be drinking to maintain proper health. We are always recommended to drink enough water, as we usually lose water through sweating and urination. However, certain situations such as exercise, pregnancy, and the environment can increase water requirements. As a thumb rule, you should drink a minimum of 2 liters of water every day.

The surrounding environment, nature of work, and physical status are some parameters that can decide an individual’s water requirement. Thirst is an indication of not getting adequate hydration. Carrying a water bottle is a good idea to avoid dehydration if you live in a tropical country. Purchase one from Wellness Forever.