Health Benefits - so many reasons to Drink More Water!
- Water is the nutrient your body needs the most. Between 55 and 75 percent of adult
body weight is water, and it is critical in regulating all body organs and
temperature.
- Water prevents premature fatigue during exercise.
- Water regulates your body temperature, your cooling system. Sports drinks are
useful when consumed after or during vigorous and prolonged exercise in high
heat. But most experts agree that water works better than carbohydrates or
sugared beverages for moderate exercise. For instance, if you drink 12 ounces
of plain water, your body will absorb 8 ounces of it within 15 minutes. If you
drink 12 ounces of a 10% sugar solution, less than 1 ounce will be absorbed in
the same period. The typical soft drink is a 10 to 12% sugar solution.
- Water prevents dehydration. Dehydration can set in even before you start to feel
thirsty. When you don’t have enough water in your body, your cells start to
draw water from the bloodstream. Your heart has to work harder because your
blood gets sludgy, and your body starts to redirect blood away from less vital
areas. This is a great strain on the body because it impairs the kidneys in
their vital function of purifying the blood and helping the body get rid of
toxins.
- Water burns more fat and builds more muscle. It has been shown that dehydration
decreases protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is what builds muscle. It is an
energy costly process. When you suppress protein synthesis, fewer calories end
up building proteins and more calories end up in your fat stores. It’s
elementary: calories have two possible fates - they either get burned, or they
get stored. When more of the calories you eat get burned, less will get stored.
- Water helps lubricate and cushion your joints and muscles. Athletes know that even
mild dehydration can produce cramps.
- Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. The traditional
prescription to ‛drink plenty of fluids‛ when you’re sick still holds strong.
Water can help control a fever, replace lost fluids, and thin out mucus. Water
plays a vital role in nearly every bodily function. A mere 2% drop in body
water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and
difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page.
- Water is essential for proper circulation in the body. The levels of oxygen in the
bloodstream are greater when the body is well hydrated. Not only will the body
burn more fat when well hydrated but because there are increased oxygen levels
you will also have more energy.
- Water helps get energized and stay alert. On average, most adults lose about 10
cups of fluid a day, therefore even minor dehydration can cause impaired
concentration, headaches, irritability and fatigue.
- Water is essential for proper circulation in the body. The levels of oxygen in the
bloodstream are greater when the body is well hydrated. Not only will the body
burn more fat when well hydrated but because there are increased oxygen levels
you will also have more energy.
- Water helps stay regular. Water helps prevent constipation by adding fluid to the
colon and bulk to stools. Something as simple as fluid plays a major role in
preventing constipation. Not only does the liquid encourage bowel movement, but
it also softens the stools.
- Water is essential for proper digestion, nutrient absorption and chemical
reactions. The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are
metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream. But no less important
is the ability of water to transport waste material out of our bodies.
- Water may reduces your risk of disease and infection. Consistent failure to drink
enough water can lead to Chronic Cellular Dehydration. This condition where the
body’s cell are never quite hydrated enough leave them in a weakened state,
vulnerable to attack from disease. It weakens the body’s overall immune system
and leads to chemical, nutritional and pH imbalances that can cause a host of
diseases.
- Water improves the appearance of your skin.
- Water helps remove toxins from the body.
- Increased water consumption can help you control weight by preventing you
from confusing hunger with thirst. Water will also keep your body systems,
including metabolism and digestion, working properly and give you the energy
(and hydration) necessary for exercise.
- The latest research shows that staying hydrated is necessary for the human brain, which is 85 percent
water, to function at optimal levels. That is why many school systems throughout
the country now encourage students to keep a bottle of water at their desks and
to drink it throughout the day.
- People who drink more than five classes of water a day may be less likely to
die from a heath attack or heart disease.
- Incidence of cancer in the urinary bladder was reduced significantly by a
high fluid intake in a ten-year study involving nearly 48,000 men.
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