Water is my go-to beverage of choice. Yes, I drink green tea every morning, but water is my constant throughout the day. I know we all hear that drinking is so important and beneficial to a healthy lifestyle because it’s true. It’s also easy to drink and free.
The Earth is about 71% water and plants need it as part of their growth cycle. If they aren’t getting water, it’s hard for them to grow. Our body is about 70% water and it’s in every one of our cells, all our cells and organs need water. Our brain is even made up of about 90% water which is probably why most of us experience a headache when we are dehydrated. Our brain needs water to function! And we need our brains so we can function properly. There are some different suggestions on how much water you should be drinking, so you could drink the 8 (8oz) glasses of water each day or half your body weight in ounces. But your body ultimately knows how much it needs.
The question therefore remains, but WHY is water so beneficial for us??
Drinking water helps us focus, concentrate, be more alert and increases our energy. It can also relieve fatigue because when we experience fluid loss, this can cause anxiety and excessive fatigue. Prolonged dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.
Water improves our skin complexion as it moisturizes our skin. When we are dehydrated, skin is more vulnerable to skin disorders and wrinkles. And you wonder why I look so young; the secret is out!!
It flushes out the toxins in your body and aids in digesting your food by flushing out the waste and keeping you regular. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, increasing the risk of heart burn and stomach ulcers.
Water is a natural headache remedy, even relieving and preventing migraines which are commonly caused by dehydration.
It promotes weight loss by removing by-products of fat, reducing your eating intake by filling you up before meals and raises your metabolism.
Minerals and nutrients dissolve in water so it’s possible for them to reach different parts of our body as water moves through our blood.
Hydration keeps our joints lubricated and our muscles elastic therefore preventing cramps and sprains.
When we are dehydrated our airways can become restricted to minimize water loss. This can then make asthma and allergies worse.
Water helps maintain blood pressure as a lack of water can cause blood to become thicker increasing blood pressure.
When we drink water, it puts us in a good mood because our body is functioning at its best and we feel great! Oh yeah and we save money because water is free when you fill up at home and use reusable bottles.
So, the moral of the story here folks, is drink water, drink when you are thirsty, when you are eating, when you exercise, and any old time of the day to stay hydrated. Water is one of nature’s medicines so use excessively, it won’t raise your health insurance premium.
Wellness Wednesday,
Tash
