For sure you know that drinking water every day is essential to our health. In fact if we stopped drinking it, we couldn't survive more than a week. But do you know why?
A large percentage of our body is water and it has many important uses such as regulating body temperature, helping brain functions, helping to eliminate waste from the body, controlling weight and much more.
Nutritionists recommend that we drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to stay well hydrated, which is equivalent to 2-3 litres of water. Although there is little scientific evidence related to this, maintaining a good level of hydration is vital for the immune system to function properly, thus avoiding dehydration and health problems.
Below we have listed some of the benefits of drinking water so you can be aware of just how much is really can help us remain healthy:
1. Reduces the risk of heart disease
When we drink water, especially before bed, we help pump oxygenated blood around the body during the hours we are most at risk of having heart problems.
According to several studies, people who drink 8 or more glasses of water a day have a lower risk of heart disease, compared to those who drink less than two glasses.
2. Prevents and eliminates headache
Another benefit of drinking water is that it can prevent and help reduce headaches.
One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is headache or migraines. It is recommended to drink water or other fluid as soon as these symptoms start and avoid consuming drinks that can be harmful, such as alcohol or coffee.
3. Provides more energy to the body
Maintaining good hydration by consuming fluids like water benefits us by giving our body more energy. These effects last for about an hour and mean our bodies are more effective during exercise periods.
4. Reduces the chance of bladder cancer
The American Cancer Association has discovered that water prevents bladder cancer. Increasing fluid intake increases the frequency of urination, greatly reducing the concentration of carcinogens in the bladder and taking care of our health.
5. Helps eliminate waste
Consuming water helps flush waste products through sweat, urine, and bowel movements. This in turn keeps us healthy as well as sweat which regulates body temperature when we exercise or in high temperatures. For this reason we need to drink water to replace the fluid loss.
Apart from this, kidneys are also important for the elimination of waste through urine. Adequate water consumption can help the kidneys to work more efficiently and prevent kidney stones keeping them healthy.
6. Assists weight loss
Drinking the recommended amount of water, each day helps maintain body weight and an important part of any diet. However, drinking plenty of water can also help you lose weight. When water consumption increases your body’s metabolism accelerates, which increases the number of calories burned during the day.
Water also has a satiating effect, which is why some dieticians recommend drinking it before each meal.
7. Hydration decreases hangover symptoms
Hangover, ….that unpleasant feeling that we experience after drinking alcohol! Alcohol is a diuretic, so it makes your water loss greater when you consume it. This leads to dehydration.
Although this is not the main cause of hangovers, it can cause symptoms such as thirst, fatigue, headache and a dry mouth. A good way to reduce hangovers is to have a glass of water between alcoholic beverages and one before bed.
8. Helps to have smoother skin
Finally, another of the great benefits of water is that it improves the elasticity of the skin and that makes it healthier, softer and smoother. If you want to have a beautiful complexion, now you know!
Always remember, whilst drinking water is important for our health, we should be aware that drinking too much water can also remove important minerals and salts from our bodies that we require and be dangerous. If you are unsure what is healthy always contact a medical expert or dietician for advice.