Hydration is important for health and well-being. But sometimes people do not drink enough water every day.
Water accounts for 60% of your body and is necessary for every cell. Scientists reported a research at the recent annual British Psychological Society Conference. It found that college students who took water with them to the study scored higher scores than their counterparts who did not have water.
Unfortunately, the researchers did not see whether the students drank the drink. Nor did they investigate the reasons behind the results of the study. But researchers believed that drinking water could boost students’ thinking. It can help students remain calm and quell their anxiety, both of which could hinder their results.
Their thinking makes sense. Other evidence has suggested that staying hydrated keeps:
- Your brain sharp
- Your mood calm
- And your motivation intact
You can also think more easily about the problem. Staying hydrated doesn’t just affect the brain, though.
Here Are 10 Incredible Benefits Of Hydration In Daily Life:
1. Helps Maximize Physical Performance
If you don’t remain hydrated, your physical performance will decrease. This is particularly important during intense exercise or high heat.
Dehydration can have a noticeable impact if you lose as little as 2% of your body’s water content. However, it is not uncommon for athletes to lose as much as 6–10% of their water weight by sweat.
This can lead to a decrease in body temperature control, decreased motivation, and increased fatigue. It can also make exercising feel a lot more difficult, both physically and mentally.
Optimal hydration prevents this from occurring. Also, it reduces the oxidative stress that happens during high-intensity exercise. This is not surprising when you know that the muscle is about 80% water.
If you work out intensely and tend to sweat, remaining hydrated can help you perform at your best.
2. Water Helps The Muscles and Joints To Work Better
When you are well-hydrated, the water within and outside the muscle contractor cells provides adequate nutrients and effectively eliminates waste so that you can work more efficiently. Water is also important for lubricating joints. Contrary to popular belief, muscle cramps do not seem to be related to dehydration. But rather, it is related to muscle weakness, according to Sam Cheuvront, Ph.D., a physiologist.
3. May Help Relieve Constipation
Constipation is a problem characterized by bowel motions and difficulty in passing stools. Increasing fluid intake is also prescribed as part of the treatment regimen. And there is some evidence to back up this. Low water intake appears to be a risk factor for constipation in both younger and older people. Increasing hydration can help to reduce constipation.
Mineral water may be a particularly beneficial drink for people with constipation. Studies have shown that mineral water high in magnesium and sodium increases bowel movements and consistency in constipation.
4. Hydration Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Your heart is a large muscle that beats continuously to ensure that you get enough oxygen to all your cells. Dehydration is a common cause of overworking the heart. Dehydration reduces your blood flow. This causes the heart to pump harder and faster to ensure the rest of your body has oxygen. An overworked heart is vulnerable to heart problems, strokes, and other diseases of the heart. Your chances of heart attacks are greatly reduced by drinking plenty of water a day.
5. May Help Treat Kidney Stones
Urinary stones are painful clusters of mineral crystals that form in the urinary system. The most common form is the kidney stones that form in the kidneys. There is limited evidence that water intake can help reduce recurrence in people.
Higher consumption of fluid raises the amount of urine passing through the kidneys. This dilutes the concentration of minerals, makes them less likely to crystallize and to form clumps. Water may also help prevent the initial formation of stones, although research is required to validate this.
6. Maximizes Physical Performance
Staying hydrated will maximize overall physical performance. Your body works better if you have enough water, whether it’s for sports or daily activities. The moment you start to reduce your water intake is when your body begins to lose its energy. People who participate in high activity levels should have enough water and fluids with electrolytes. They should drink them before and after physical exercise. Many athletes drink not only water but also drinks like Powerade or Gatorade.
7. Increases Energy and Brain Function
Research shows that hydration plays a key part in how well the brain works. Mild dehydration, ranging from 1% to 3% of water deficiency, causes:
- Mood swing
- Concentration difficulties
- Pain
- Memory loss
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- And overall brain performance for people of all ages.
Everyday activities can cause water loss. So, many doctors suggest keeping a bottle of water everywhere you go. And you should start the day with 8 to 12 ounces of water.
8. Cleanses Your Body
Your body takes toxins from food, water, air, and other environmental contaminants. These toxins create physical imbalances, which make the body feel tired and strange. Drinking water cleanses your body by helping organs like your kidneys to filter and dispose of waste from your blood. The more water you drink, the more toxins your body gets inside and out. That helps the body feel energized and refreshed.
9. Can Aid Weight Loss
Drinking lots of water will help you lose weight. This is because water can improve your satiety and boost your metabolic rate. Some evidence indicates that increasing water intake can promote weight loss by slightly increasing your metabolism, and increasing the number of calories you burn daily.
A 2013 research of 50 young women overweight showed that drinking an extra 16.9 ounces (500 mL) of water 3 times a day before meals for 8 weeks resulted in significant decreases in body weight and body fat compared to their pre-study measurements. Timing is also important. Drinking water half an hour before meals is the most effective. It can help you feel more full, meaning you can eat fewer calories.
In one study, dieters who drank 16.9 ounces (0.5 liters) of water before meals lost 44% more weight.
10. Treats Ailments
Staying hydrated also helps to treat many various diseases and disorders. It’s important to start drinking water when you’re sick. Your body is working hard to defend against viruses or bacteria entering the body. So, drinking enough water can help you recover faster. Common health conditions that hydration helps combat include headaches, kidney stones, colds, flus, and seizures.
The Bottom Line
Even mild dehydration can affect you both physically and mentally. Ensure you get enough water every day, whether your target is 64 ounces (1.9 liters) or a different amount. This is one of the best things you can do with your overall health.
