Drinking enough water is very important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Water is your body’s principal chemical component and makes up about 50% to 70% of your body weight. Your body depends on water to survive. When your intake of fluids does not equal your output, you can become dehydrated. We are going to go over 5 reasons why drinking water is important and even some ways to help you get in the habit of drinking more water!
Health Benefits
There are tons of health benefits to drinking water. To start off, it helps significantly with your energy levels and brain function. Dehydration can affect energy levels, mood, and can even lead to major reductions in memory and brain performance.
Maintain Balance of Body Fluids
Drinking water helps with your body’s overall fluids. Not drinking enough water can increase the risk of kidney stones and for women, urinary tract infections. It can also lower your salivary gland function which in turn will lead to dehydration. Drinking enough water throughout the day can aid in the reduction of excess sodium. By consuming enough water, your body will get rid of sodium it doesn’t need which results in less fluid retention.
Can Help Control Calories
Drinking plenty of water in a day has many health benefits. While working out, drinking water helps prevent muscle cramps and keeps your joints lubricated which would allow you to work out longer and harder. Drinking water can also help reduce your overall liquid calorie intake. Choosing water over a soda or juice can make a huge difference. Now they have seltzer water as an option for those who want that carbonation! A majority of the seltzer water brands contain no sugar or calories and are a valid option for hitting your water intake goal.
Tips For Drinking More H2O
Sometimes drinking water can feel like a chore because it is so bland and has no flavor. Like I mentioned above, seltzer water is a great alternative to bottled water and still provides maximum hydration. Here are some tips for getting into a habit to drink more water!
- Add fruit or Herbs
Adding a little fruit such as a lemon, strawberries, or even grapefruit is a great little way to add some healthy flavor. You can also toss in some herbs like basil, mint, lavender, etc.
- Keep a gallon jug nearby
By keeping water around you at all times eliminates that excuse for not having any water! I know it may be a hassle to carry a big jug around so if you have access to fill it up throughout the day then carry something a little smaller around!
- Make it a routine
If you make drinking water a routine, it can be way easier to hit your water intake goal! You can maybe try and drink a glass of water before each meal. This is great for two reasons, sometimes your body may mistake feelings of thirst for hunger. Drinking a glass of water before eating can help you see if you are feeling true hunger. The other reason it’s great is because it gets you closer to your water intake goal.
