The human body is composed of approximately 60% water, therefore, staying hydrated is vital for our bodies to function efficiently. Although opinions differ, it is generally recommended for the average adult to drink roughly 8 cups or 2 liters of water daily to maintain proper hydration. Drinking the right amount of water has numerous health benefits, some of those being for cosmetic reasons and others are more about general wellness.
- Water delivers oxygen throughout the body: Drinking the appropriate amount of water enables oxygen to flow throughout the body, allowing nutrients to access your cells and eliminate excess waste through urination and sweat.
- Helps maintain blood pressure: Chronic dehydration can increase your chances of Hypertension. Hypertension has been linked to increasing your risk for cardiovascular disease which can cause a stroke or heart attack.
- Flushes toxins and waste: The kidneys flush toxins and waste from your body, if your kidneys are not receiving the right amount of hydration they cannot efficiently eliminate these toxins.
- Promotes healthy skin: Proper hydration enables the skin to maintain elasticity and stay plump. The skin is your body’s largest organ, if you are not intaking enough water your skin may become dry, flaky and tight. Dry skin is known to cause wrinkles and itching.
- Prevents Constipation: Drinking enough fluids daily can help ease constipation by ensuring your intestines can keep things flowing smoothly. Dehydration can lead to hard stools that are difficult to pass which can cause straining and hemorrhoids.
Drinking the right amount of water has also been linked to weight loss, as hydration helps boost your metabolism, and can also act as an appetite suppressant. Staying hydrated also aids your body in the amount of water it retains, allowing for you to lose extra water weight.
Making sure to gradually hydrate through the day is also an important part of properly staying hydrated. Other ways to manage hydration is through eating water-rich foods such as salads and fruits or drinking water with meals, making it less of a task and easier to incorporate into your normal daily routine.
