If you are stuck at home, now is a great time to focus on drinking more water. Water plays an essential role in our bodies. It is vitally important to our health to stay well hydrated. We often forget to drink water when we are away from home or at work. With millions of Americans hunkering down at home, this is the perfect time to hydrate your body and your mind!
Your body is composed of about 75 percent water, but are you drinking enough throughout the day? Even though most of us know that drinking eight to 10 glasses of water per day is recommended by health experts, many people may fall short. This is unfortunate, as drinking more water can drastically improve our health in many ways.
We suggest drinking your water warm, not ice cold. One benefit of warm water is that it helps jump-start your metabolism. It is also very soothing for the digestive system and muscles.
The following are just eight of the many reasons why you should drink more water daily.
Drink more water to lose more weight
Yes, drinking more water can help you reach your weight loss goals! For one, people often mistake being thirsty with being hungry, leading them to eat more without increasing their water intake. Simply drinking some water instead often does the trick. You may find you’re not hungry after the glass is empty.
Additionally, a new study published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics studied water intake and dietary habits of just over 18,000 adults in the United States. The study found that individuals who increased their consumption of water by just one percent consumed less overall calories, as well as less sugar. Â
On their results, the study authors remarked:
“Promoting plain water intake could be a useful public health strategy for reducing energy and targeted nutrient consumption in US adults, which warrants confirmation in future controlled interventions.”
Keep your skin looking soft and youthful
On the importance of drinking more water to skin health, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health states:
“If your skin is not getting a sufficient amount of water, the lack of hydration will present itself by turning your skin dry, tight, and flaky. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling. As water is lost in large quantities every day, you need to replace it somehow. The unfortunate truth about drinking water and skin is that water will reach all the other organs before it reaches the skin.”
So, to ensure that your organs and your skin get the water they need to stay hydrated, you have to get those eight to 10 glasses each day! Â
Enjoy more energy
If you’re dehydrated, your body simply cannot perform to the best of its ability. Not only will you be way too fatigued to exercise if you don’t drink enough water, you probably won’t even have the necessary energy to slog through your day.
Drinking eight to 10 glasses of water per day keeps all of the systems in your body working optimally, so that you have the energy to do all you need — and want — to do.
Keep your digestion regular
If you don’t drink enough water, your digestion can be significantly impaired, and you may find yourself feeling quite constipated. Just think about it: If you don’t have enough water flowing through your body to escort waste out, how is it going to be removed?
Drinking ample amounts of water helps keep you regular, and makes your stools softer and easier to eliminate. It’s also important to drink lots of water if you are experiencing diarrhea, as your body needs to replace those lost fluids.
Maintain lower blood sugar
Research has found that drinking more water helps to keep blood sugar levels lower. A 2011 study published in the journal Diabetes Care tested the relationship between water intake and blood sugar in just under 3,600 individuals. All of the volunteers had normal fasting blood glucose, and the follow up was nine years.
The study authors found:
“Self-reported water intake was inversely and independently associated with the risk of developing hyperglycemia [high blood sugar].”
Get through seasonal illnesses with greater ease
If you have a fever, it’s your body’s way of fighting off any infection that may be trying to take hold. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated with extra water, as fevers are quite dehydrating. If you don’t drink enough water, your symptoms may escalate.
If you have a cold, drinking plenty of water helps your body to produce ample mucus to fight the virus. Just like with a fever, the body can become extra dehydrated when fighting a cold, so drink up!
In the case of any illness, water is essential not only for hydration but also to flush toxins from your body.
Reduce your allergy symptoms
Speaking of flushing out toxins, drinking extra water during allergy season may help to alleviate some of those symptoms. This is because water can help to flush out the substances irritating your body. It also aids in sinus drainage, so you’ll feel less stuffed up.
Sleep more soundly
Quality sleep is crucial to a healthy life. Drinking lots of water throughout the day can help to lower inflammation throughout your body. This can also lead to a better night’s sleep. If your body is inflamed, you may toss and turn throughout the night. If it is kept in check, you may find yourself sleeping blissfully.
Are you drinking at least eight glasses of water each day? If not, it might be time to pour yourself a glass right now!
