You have probably heard it hundreds of times. Drinking water is critical to your health. Whether you are an athlete who regularly exercises or you move at a slower pace, drinking the right amount of water is a key component for maintaining bodily functions.
Most people do not drink the recommended amount for their body type in a day. Anywhere from half an ounce to an ounce of water per pound of body weight is a healthy standard to maintain. Though there are issues that can happen if you consume too much water, it is far more common for individuals to be lacking in hydration.
But what is the science behind the need for drinking a lot of water? We hear constantly how important it is to stay hydrated, but not everyone understands what exactly water does for the body. Here are a few reasons why drinking lots of water is important for everyone who cares about their personal health.
Hydration Helps Your Skin
Your skin acts as a barrier that keeps vital body systems in and foreign agents out. When you become dehydrated due to a lack of water consumption, your skin can dry out and even develop wrinkles at a faster rate. This will weaken the effectiveness of the skin as a barrier, potentially allowing bacteria to pass through or fluid loss to occur. To keep your skin healthy and vibrant, optimum hydration can make a big difference, along with a focus on vitamin c.
Support Cell Health
Your body’s cells are the most basic unit of life. They are microscopic and make up all the various tissues and organs that you have. When your body lacks enough water, cells can start to dry up and shrivel. Exercising or other strenuous activity can be a major cause of this issue, as lots of moisture could be lost through sweating. Cells that are losing moisture can cause a loss of functions throughout the body depending on what types of cells are affected.
Additionally, water plays a key role in delivering nutrients throughout the body, including to your cells. The health of your cells is extremely important. Thorough hydration and a balanced diet can radically optimize their condition, resulting in better overall wellness. You can even go a step further in supporting cellular health with supplements that provide additional vitamins and minerals.
Balancing Fluid Levels
A huge percentage of your body is made up of water. That means that many of your organ systems and their functions are dependent upon the right amount of fluid to do what they are supposed to. If you are not taking in enough water, these systems could operate less efficiently or even fail.
For example, your digestive system requires fluid to allow solid waste to be recycled from the body. When there is not enough water in the body, issues like constipation can occur, reducing the ability of these systems to function normally. Drinking the recommended amount for your body weight will keep your body’s fluids at an optimum level.
Getting Rid Of Waste
Energy usage creates byproducts that are considered waste. Cells, tissues, and organs throughout your body operate this way. A build up of waste in the body can lead to a number of health concerns, so the body is designed to get rid of these waste products. Water helps with delivering the waste from cells and the systems of the body to other areas that can process and expel it.
Organs such as the kidneys are directly responsible for eliminating waste from the body. However, if the individual is lacking enough water, these waste products could fail to be processed and delivered effectively. Additionally, poor hydration can lead to kidney stones, which are extremely painful to pass.
Prevents Consumption Of Unhealthy Fluids
By drinking more water, you are filling your body with the fluid it requires. Indirectly, this will lead you to drinking less of the unhealthy or sugary drinks that can be harmful. The more water you drink to replensih your fluids or wash food down, the less thirsty you will be for other beverages like soda or alcohol. When seeking out better hydration habits, you should always focus on water to quench your thirst rather than sugary drinks that are bad for oral health and will provide no benefit to the body.
Water Can Prevent Many Health Issues
Individuals who focus on the recommended daily intake of water are far less likely to encounter many health issues, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, digestive problems, joint pain, and more. Since the body is made up of so much water, maintaining those levels with regular hydration will allow the systems in your body to receive the right nutrients, eliminate waste, and perform their functions effectively.
