We all know that drinking water is good for us but do you know exactly why? The human body is actually comprised of around 60% water so it is vital we stay hydrated. Although there is little science behind the rule, experts recommend that we drink 8 glasses of water a day. If you struggle to drink this amount, read on to find out 7 evidence-based health benefits of drinking water which should encourage you to drink more!
1. Brain function and energy levels
Your brain is strongly influenced by your hydration status with studies showing that even mild dehydration can impair many aspects of your brain function. Not just after exercising, fluid loss can easily occur through normal daily activities and high heat. Dehydration can be detrimental to your working memory, can impair both mood and concentration as well as increasing levels of fatigue and anxiety.
2. Hangover prevention
Unfortunately many of us are all too aware that a hangover refers to the unpleasant symptoms experienced after drinking alcohol! Alcohol is a diuretic so it makes you lose more water than you take in, leading to dehydration. Although dehydration isn’t the main cause of hangovers, it can cause symptoms like thirst, fatigue, headache, and a dry mouth. A good way to reduce your hangover symptoms is to drink a glass of water between drinks and have at least one big glass of water before going to bed.
3. Maximize physical performance
If you don’t stay hydrated, your physical performance can suffer, particularly during intense exercise or high heat. Dehydration during physical exertion can lead to altered body temperature control, reduced motivation, and increased fatigue. It can also make exercise feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally. Studies have shown that optimal hydration will prevent this from happening and may even reduce the oxidative stress that occurs during high intensity exercise. Muscle is about 80% water so this is hardly suprising! Always remember that if you exercise intensely and tend to sweat, staying hydrated can help you perform at your absolute best.
4. Keeps you regular!
Constipation is a common problem that’s characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty in passing stools. Increasing fluid intake is normally recommended as a part of the treatment as your body needs both water and fibre to move waste along the digestive tract. Drinking plenty of water may help prevent and relieve constipation, especially in people who generally don’t drink enough water.
5. Headache prevention
Dehydration can trigger headaches and migraines in some people with research showing that a headache is one of the most common symptoms of dehydration. Some studies have shown that drinking water can also help relieve headaches in those who experience frequent headaches.
6. Aids weight loss
In a world full of diets and fitness plans, did you know that drinking plenty of water can help you lose weight? This is because water can make you feel more satisfied as well as boost your metabolic rate. By even slightly increasing your metabolism, you can increase the number of calories you burn on a daily basis. It is important to drink water at the right time however to really benefit. Drinking water half an hour before meals is the most effective as it can make you feel more full so that you eat fewer calories. Studies have shown that dieters who drank half a litre of water before meals lost 44% more weight over a period of 12 weeks than dieters who didn’t drink water before meals.
7. Kidney stones
Kidney stones are extremely painful clumps of mineral crystal that form in the kidneys. There is some evidence that water intake can help prevent recurrence in people who have previously suffered from kidney stones. This is because having a higher fluid intake will increase the volume of urine passing through the kidneys. This dilutes the concentration of minerals, so they’re less likely to crystallize and form clumps.
Even mild dehydration can affect you mentally and physically so drinking water really is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. We appreciate that not everyone likes the taste of tap water or the cost and environmental implications of bottled water. This is where we step in! To get the best tasting water, you can’t go wrong with a Reverse Osmosis drinking water system. Installed in your home or workplace, you will always have clean, fresh drinking water available on tap. We have a range of Reverse Osmosis systems available so please get in touch to find out more.