#TACTIX :: Benefits of Drinking Water
Drink more water!
Drink more water…Stay hydrated…Quench your thirst.
We hear constantly that we don’t drink enough water. Water is, of course, essential for life and we humans cannot go very long without it. In fact, compared to most of our animal brethren, we are some of the most water inefficient beings on the planet. That’s mostly because we don’t have a sufficient way to store water, so we must replenish water once we lose it. But what are the real benefits of drinking water? And how much do we really need?
Water is essential
Water keeps every system in the body functioning properly. How much we need depends on our activity level, health, medications, and other measurements. Most experts recommend 4-6 glasses or about 8 ounces a day for healthy people. But even a healthy person’s water needs will vary, especially if you’re losing water through sweat because you’re exercising, or because you’re outside on a hot day. Then you want to drink several glasses an hour.
Water can help lubricate and cushion your joints
Your cartilage contains around 80 percent water. Long-term dehydration can reduce the joints’ shock-absorbing ability, leading to joint pain. Less fluid in joints can cause friction, increasing inflammation, which can worsen joint pain, especially for people with arthritis.
Water can help you lose weight
Drinking cold water can increase your metabolism and can help with weight loss. This is because the body has to expend more energy to increase temperature after drinking cold H2O, burning more calories. Drinking water half an hour before meals makes you feel more full so that you eat fewer calories. Water is a much better choice than beverages that are high in sugar and calories like soft drinks and all those sports drinks and juices. Drinking water helps you work out longer and avoid muscle cramps.
Water helps keep skin clear and smoother
Adequate water intake also keeps skin lubricated and supple and able to stay more elastic. Dehydrated skin can become shriveled and less elastic, leading to creases and wrinkles.
Improved detoxification and digest food better
Sufficient water intake supports your body’s natural detoxification systems, which helps to remove waste and harmful substances through urination, breathing, perspiration, and bowel movements. Your body also needs water in order to digest food properly. Upping your fluid intake may help get things moving in the right direction and avoids bloating and excessive gas.
Improved brain performance and mood
Dehydration, even mild, can affect memory, mood, concentration, and reaction time. By adding additional amounts of water a day, can have a positive impact on one’s cognition levels, make you feel more energized, and put you in a better mood. This is especially important for older adults who are at higher risk for both dehydration and impaired cognitive function.
Drink Up!
Water is critical to several functions in the body, and the benefits of drinking water can improve your health. Although we obtain some water in the daily intake of foods and drinks throughout the day, most of us need to increase the amount of water we drink. A great way to help keep track of our daily intake is by using a water bottle with measurements on it. Water is a critical, daily lifestyle choice that supports the health and function of every cell in our body. We are literally made up of water. The team at Chiropractix believes being mindful and intentional about hydration is one of the easiest strategies to improve your health and well-being.