Why is water so important?
Why is water so important? Water is integral to humans we need it to survive. Apart from oxygen, water is the only other constant bodily requirement without it we can only survive for a few days. Our bodies are made up of 50-75% water. We lose water throughout the day by breathing sweating and digestion. Other factors that affect water loss are exercise, illness, travel and dehydrating sugary foods and beverages.
The body needs water to
- Maintain cell health and integrity
- Flush out toxins
- Help digest and aid in constipation
- Regulate body temperature
- Aid in weight loss
- Promote healthy skin
- Keep muscles and joints hydrated
- Maintains brain and most bodily functions
- Relieve fatigue
Signs & symptoms of dehydration:
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure/high blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Migraines
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Diabetes
- Muscle cramping
It is important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water.How many glasses of water should we drink each day? Many say to drink eight 8- ounce glasses per day. This is a great starting point and easy to remember. However many factors affect this number including current health, exercise/activity level, age, weight and where you live. Current data tells us that the adequate daily fluid intake for men is about 3.7 liters/day and for women it is 2.7 liters/day. If you are pregnant or nursing you may want to consult with your physician about fluid intake. Your body will be using more fluids especially if you are breastfeeding.
Water Hacks:
- Add more fruits and vegetables to the diet (some fruits and veggies contain more than 90 percent water!)
- Keep water on your nightstand, wake up have a glass of water, go to bed have a glass of water
- Use an app to track your cups
- Add flavor (citrus, cucumber, mint leaves, berries)
- Get a decent water bottle, mark your water bottle with timed goals
- Set a timer on your phone with a reminder
- Wrap 6 elastic bands around a reusable 500ml water bottle, ever time you drink remove a band and refill. Do this 6 times and voila you have consumed your daily intake of 3L!