Hydration Nation: Uncovering the 15 Amazing Benefits of Drinking Water
I don’t know about you, but I struggle to drink enough water every day. I don’t know why because I know it’s a necessity. Our bodies need to be hydrated. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t have much of a flavor, it’s boring. The struggle is real, whatever the reason.
I have congestive heart failure. I had a pacemaker implanted because of it. That makes it even more important for me to stay hydrated. But it is still a challenge.
I have talked to other people and found that I am not alone. Not drinking enough water seems to be a common problem. So, I thought it would be a good idea to do a little research and share the benefits of drinking water. Maybe this will help make it easier for us.
There are some benefits we are all aware of, but it never hurts to have a reminder. Sometimes seeing things in black and white helps.
15 Amazing Benefits of Drinking Water
1. Increases energy level and brain function
2. You feel less hungry and help with weight loss
3. Helps nutrients and minerals distribute throughout your body
4. Boosts performance during exercise
5. Helps keep airways from restricting, possibly relieving some symptoms of asthma and allergies
6. Helps maintain blood pressure
7. Cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other tissues
8. Boosts healthy skin
9. Keeps mouth, nose, and eyes moist
10. Helps digest food, less heartburn
11. Essential for organs and other bodily functions
12. Delivers oxygen throughout your body
13. Gets rid of waste
14. Lubricates joints
15. Regulates body temperature
Those are good reasons to make sure we drink enough water every day! Here are some tips to help you:
1. Carry a water bottle with you
2. Have a large insulated cup at hand to drink throughout the day
3. Choose water over sodas and other sugary drinks
4. Order water at restaurants
5. Add lemon or lime for flavor
Not drinking enough water can be bad for us. However, it is important to know that you can also be over hydrated. Yes, you can drink too much water. Adult humans are 60% water and our blood is 90% water, so it makes sense that we can over hydrate. I thought it would be a good idea to share some symptoms of being under and over hydrated.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Intense thirst
Dry mouth and tongue
Darker urine
Dizziness / lightheadedness
Confusion
Feeling tired, fatigued
Urinating less often than normal
No tears when crying
Symptoms of Over Hydration
Colorless urine
Nausea and vomiting
Headache (due to pressure on the brain)
Confusion / disorientation
Drowsiness
Muscle cramps
The last 5 symptoms of over hydration can also be symptoms of hyponatremia, which is caused by having too much water, triggering too low sodium content.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
I also researched how much water we should drink. The search provided various answers. Apparently, there is not a particular amount of water that works for everyone. We are all different and we all have different needs. The best thing to do is talk to your doctor to find out how much water you should be drinking everyday to stay healthy.
One thing is for sure, drinking enough water is a benefit for everyone! Do you struggle to drink enough water?
Until next time,
Melanie
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