The Top 8 Benefits of Staying Hydrated
Did you know, the average adult human body is made up of an astounding 60% pure water content!? This is why even from a young age, we are educated on the importance of drinking water to keep our bodies hydrated.
Staying hydrated is one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to manage our overall health and well-being. Not only does it prevent dehydration, but there are a myriad of benefits involved in increasing fluid intake -- especially when it comes to supporting your brain and bodily functions on a daily basis.
From boosting energy, improving digestive function and flushing out harmful toxins, water is responsible for a ton of key bodily functions.
Throughout this article, we will uncover the top 8 benefits of drinking water, how to know if you're getting enough water and what healthy fluid alternatives are available to help you achieve your daily recommended limit. Follow along to learn more.
How Much Water Should I Be Drinking?
To achieve the greatest benefits of drinking water, we can refer to the recommended daily fluid intake, otherwise known as the dietary reference intakes for water. Based on Canada's Food Guide, adults are recommended to consume a minimum of eight glasses filled with 8 ounces of water every day. This is also known as the "8 by 8 rule".
Depending on your physical activity levels among other factors, your hydration needs may vary. A great way to find out if you're drinking enough fluids is by checking the colour of your urine. The brighter it appears, the more water you need!
To enhance the beneficial qualities of drinking water, it's also recommended to limit any drinks that will dehydrate your body such as caffeinated beverages, alcohol and sugary drinks.
Top 8 Benefits of Staying Hydrated
Simply put, healthy people are known to drink water on a regular basis. Combined with the many other forms of hydrating beverages and water rich foods, your total daily fluid intake can improve the function of your organs, transform your mood and keep you feeling your best throughout the day.
Let's dive straight into the top 8 benefits drinking water to stay hydrated.
1. Hydration Contributes to Weight loss
There are many ways that water and other fluids can contribute to weight loss. For starters, water is an effective appetite suppressant. Drinking water before a meal helps our stomachs sense fullness sooner and will relay this message to the brain to stop eating. After your meal, you'll still feel satiated but without the additional calories.
Water can also increase our metabolic rate. When we drink a glass of water, our bodies use extra energy to warm the fluid to body temperature in a process known as 'water induced thermogenesis'. The more energy we expend, the faster our metabolism becomes.
Together, these factors can help you lower your body weight in a healthy and natural way.
2. Increase Energy and Brain Function
One of the first symptoms you may notice when you're not getting enough fluid is an immediate loss of energy. Whether you haven't consumed enough fluids or have experienced extreme fluid loss, even mild dehydration can impair blood flow and oxygen transport to your brain and organs making you feel tired and groggy.
As a key player in metabolism, researchers found that a higher water intake can also help maximize brain function and improve focus, alertness and even help with short term memory. Without fatigue or brain fog, you're more likely to take on the day with ease.
3. Improved Gut Health and Digestion
There are several health conditions that stem from the gut. Whether you're experiencing gas, bloating, constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), drinking more fluid can help you flush out the gut and manage your symptoms for effectively.
Water and other fluids help the body break down food and absorb key nutrients throughout the gut. This is especially important when it comes to digesting fiber. As the large intestine absorbs water to help harden the stool, fiber comes in to increase the weight and size of the stool making it easier to pass -- this is especially important for older adults.
4. Helps Clear Your Skin
As the largest organ on our body that functions as a protective barrier to our other organs, the skin must be cared for on a regular basis. One helpful way to improve the health of our skin is by (you guessed it) drinking water.
Water helps to hydrate and refresh deep within the layers of your skin to improve its elasticity, decrease the appearance of wrinkles and help unclog pores. Not to mention, having clearer, more youthful skin can boost confidence.
It's also helpful to avoid sugary beverages such as soft drinks, power drinks or mixed alcoholic beverages. Any excess sugar will lead to inflammation under the skin which can cause wrinkles, texture and oil build up.
Bonus tip: Vitamin C is a beneficial ingredient that helps nourish the skin and encourage collagen growth. Add a lemon or pure orange juice to your water to introduce extra vitamin C.
5. Flushes Out Harmful Toxins and Improve Kidney Function
The kidneys are an integral organ that helps flush our body of harmful toxins. However, when we neglect to drink enough water, our kidneys are unable to function properly. Amy Hess-Fischl, certified nutrition specialist explains that this can lead to a build up of metabolic waste that may be harmful to our health.
As a helpful participant in removing waste from our blood in the form of urine, water also helps to prevent the buildup of calcium that can lead to kidney stones.
6. Improves Joint Lubrication and Mobility
Joint pain can be a tricky issue as we age. Whether you're a high performing athlete or not, pain-free mobility is essential to our health and well-being. According to the Arthritis Foundation, one of the most beneficial ways to take care of our joints is by nourishing them with more water.
A healthy fluid intake can keep your joints lubricated and flexible to help reduce friction that may cause joint pain or immobility. With more water, you'll be able to maintain peak physical performance far longer and keep your bones and joints in excellent condition as you age.
Keep in mind that the more intense exercise you do, especially under the sun, the more water you should be drinking.
7. Maintains Healthy Blood Levels
Our blood is made up of an astounding 90% water. Along with all the other important compounds and fluids that make up our blood including white and red blood cells, nutrients and plasma, water is the primary variable that helps us maintain healthy blood levels.
The average adult weighing between 150-180 lbs has about 4,500-5,700 ml of blood pumping through their body at all times. Without proper hydration (along with a well-balanced diet and exercise routine), we risk compromising our blood pressure which can lead to major cardiovascular implications.
8. Improves Oral Health
Drinking water and maintaining healthy levels of hydration can help you improve your gum and dental health. While sugary beverages can harm and erode your teeth, water protects them from symptoms of tooth decay by diluting the acidic environment in your mouth. Additionally, having even a small glass of water after a meal can help wash away residue and bacteria that may build up to cause bad breath!
What about Sparkling Water!?
When it comes to water alternatives, sparkling water tops the charts for being the most similar to still water and with the same kind of benefits. Although plain water has a faster uptake time, there is nothing to suggest that the added carbon dioxide in sparkling water prevents our bodies from absorbing it any different.
Let's Talk about Seltza Tap
Imagine having all the benefits of regular drinking water flowing directly from your tap! With Seltza Tap, it's possible!
When comparing still water with Seltza Tap water, there are three key factors that set the two apart:
- Convenience & Affordability: Drinking fresh chilled sparkling water straight from the tap saves you time and can cut the costs of purchasing bottles upon bottles of sparkling or still water.
- Environmental Impact: Did you know, for every six water bottles people buy, only one is recycled. This can add to the strain of plastic pollution on the earth. With Setza Tap, you'll get delicious water that you can drink straight from your kitchen faucet.
- Versatility: Seltza Tap water gives you a ton of options to change up the taste and nutritional value of your everyday water. While the water itself is zero sugar and zero calorie, you can choose to add your own ingredients such as fresh fruits or juice to help change it up in a way that you enjoy.
Key Takeaways
- Recognizing the importance of staying hydrated is one of the best ways to address physical and mental ailments and help you improve your health and well-being throughout your lifetime
- Remember the 8x8 rule: drink eight glasses of 8 oz water everyday
- As a method of hydrating the body and to prevent excess fluid loss or dehydration, drinking water regularity is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy body weight, increase metabolism, flush out harmful toxins, prevent kidney stones, and so much more!
- When comparing still water to sparkling water, there is no difference regarding their health benefits. Consider Seltza Tap for a more convenient, environmentally friendly, and versatile water option!
