Our bodies are made up of roughly 60% of water. But that doesn’t mean we need to drink 60% of our body weight in water every day. Most experts recommend living by the 8×8 rule: eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day. That comes to about 2 liters, or half a gallon – plenty of H2O to do the trick. Keep in mind that the 8×8 rule is a general guideline. As with most health initiatives, it’s important to remember that we’re all unique, so your mileage may vary.
Why is drinking more water so important?
This question seems like a no-bainer. After all, we all know that drinking water is important. However, few of us really understand why. Water is the elixir of life and a key to better health due to its ability to positively impact multiple areas of our physiology. Here are just a few of the benefits you’ll get just by staying hydrated.
Energy Levels: Try skimping on your daily water intake and notice what happens to your energy levels. They’ll drop. Even mild dehydration results in a noticeable difference in exercise performance.
Brain Function: Staying hydrated isn’t just a smart decision. It may actually make you smarter. Water is essential to delivering nutrients to the brain. And when you drink plenty of it, there’s a better exchange between nutrients and toxins, so you have more concentration and mental alertness.
Metabolism: The calorie-burning process requires water to work. Drinking water helps boost your metabolism, cleanse your body of waste, and acts as an appetite suppressant. Also, drinking more water helps your body stop retaining water, leading you to drop those extra pounds of water weight.
Skin: Your skin isn’t just an organ. It’s the biggest organ you’ve got. That means it comes with a lot of processing power going on. From the appearance of fewer wrinkles to supporting healthy skin, replenishing the water you lose every day can help your skin. Keep in mind that when you’re dehydrated, your body retains the water it has, and this can lead to skin puffiness – something else a few glasses of water can help with.
Bowels: Staying hydrated is important for your digestion because water keeps the food you eat moving through your intestines. It also helps keep your intestines smooth and flexible. Conversely, when you’re chronically dehydrated, your large intestines soak of all the water they can. This results in occasional constipation. While drinking a lot of water won’t cure constipation, it helps make stool softer and promotes better gut health.
Kidneys: Next time you’re reaching for a sparkling, sugary beverage, reach for water instead. Your kidneys will thank you. Water helps your kidneys remove waste from your blood. It also helps keep your blood working like they should, so your kidneys receive the nutrients they need. Evidence shows that staying hydrated can help maintain the overall health of your kidneys and keeps them functioning properly – and you definitely don’t want one of those. Trust us.
Staying hydrated might sound simple. But in practice, it can be difficult – especially with how busy the day can get. If you’re looking for some motivation, here are six actionable tips to help you drink more water and stay hydrated.
