Summer is just around the corner and we all want to look and feel our best. As the weather gets better more of us want to be active and embrace healthier living by getting more active and enjoying the summer days. One of the easiest ways to help our health is ensure that we are getting enough water daily. Staying hydrated has many different health benefits and is an easy way to invest in your health.
Benefits to drinking water:
Aids in weight loss – Hydration supports proper metabolic function in the body. Water also acts as a natural appetite suppressant and reduces caloric intake. Staying hydrated allows our body to maintain fluid balance which supports digestive function, nutrient transport and regulate metabolic activity.
Improves skin – Helps to reduce wrinkles and inflammation visible in the skin. Water lubricates and nourishes the skin, giving yourself a healthy glow.
Flushes out toxins – Supports organs like the liver and kidneys to remove toxins from the body. Staying hydrated also helps toxin elimination by removing waste from the body via excretion processes such as urination and sweating.
Improves immune function and health of body- The bodies tissues: muscles, cartilage as well as brain and spinal cord are all composed largely of water. Maintaining hydration helps the body remain amply lubricated in its tissues and improves their function.
Boosts energy and fights fatigue – Maintaining water uptake has been proven to improve our moods as well as increase mental focus and concentration. One of the first signs of dehydration is tiredness and fatigue. If these symptoms occur try drinking a few glasses of water for relief.
Pain prevention -Dehydration can cause tiredness, muscle cramps and achy joints. By staying hydrated our fatigue passes, supports muscle energy and the bodies cartilage in the joints remain lubricated. In keeping the joints and muscles maintaining function many common aches, pains and sprains are prevented.
Headache relief – Many headaches and muscle cramps are caused by dehydration. By staying hydrated we eliminate the risk of these uncomfortable ailments.
Maintain regularity – Water prevents constipation by acting as a systemic lubricant. Water supports the digestive organs and improves the digestion.
How much water do we actually need to maintain health? Everyone has heard 8 x 8 oz glasses a day as a recommended intake, however, this isn’t necessarily true just easy to remember. In order to maintain hydration and health there is a simple formula to let you know an average intake. This formula doesn’t account for higher levels of exercise, exposure to sun and heat, consuming caffeinated, sugary or alcoholic beverages which can all contribute to dehydration. The basic formula for water intake is easy. Take your body weight and divide that number by two. Take half your body weight and divide this by ten to reveal how many 8 ounce glasses of water you need to drink in a day.
Ex: 150 lbs / 2 = 75, 75 / 10 = 7.5 glasses (8oz) of water.
This formula gives you a good base for daily required intake and you will be surprised at how much water we actually need to maintain a healthy and functioning body. Remember the human body is made of mostly water, by staying hydrated we create and maintain health within ourselves. If you feel yourself getting bored of drinking plain water add some fruit- like orange and lemon slices, a few berries or cucumber slices with mint leaves. There’s tons of ways to make staying hydrated and maintaining health a tasty endeavor. Cheers!
Megan Prenty, RMT