What’s the big deal?
It’s common to hear that water is essential for your health. But why?
This substance makes up a majority of your body weight and is involved in many important functions, including:
flushing out waste from your body
regulating body temperature
helping your brain function
You get most of your water from drinking beverages, but food also contributes a small amount to your daily water intake.
Read on to learn more ways water can help improve your well-being.
- It helps create saliva
Water is a main component of saliva. Saliva also includes small amounts of electrolytes, mucus, and enzymes. It’s essential for breaking down solid food and keeping your mouth healthy. - It regulates your body temperature
Staying hydrated is crucial to maintaining your body temperature. Your body loses water through sweat during physical activity and in hot environments.
Your sweat keeps your body cool, but your body temperature will rise if you don’t replenish the water you lose. That’s because your body loses electrolytes and plasma when it’s dehydrated. - It protects your tissues, spinal cord, and joints
Water consumption helps lubricate and cushion your joints, spinal cord, and tissues. This will help you enjoy physical activity and lessen discomfort caused by conditions like arthritis. - It helps excrete waste through perspiration, urination, and defecation
Your body uses water to sweat, urinate, and have bowel movements.
Sweat regulates body temperature when you’re exercising or in warm temperatures. You need water to replenish the lost fluid from sweat.
You also need enough water in your system to have healthy stool and avoid constipation.
Your kidneys are also important for filtering out waste through urination. Adequate water intake helps your kidneys work more efficiently and helps to prevent kidney stones. - It helps maximise physical performance
Drinking plenty of water during physical activity is essential. Athletes may perspire up to 6 to 10 percentTrusted Source of body weight during physical activity.
Hydration also affects your strength, power, and endurance.
You may be more susceptible to the effects of dehydration if you’re participating in endurance training or high-intensity sports such as basketball. - It helps prevent constipation
Eating fibre isn’t the only way to prevent constipation. It’s also important to maintain your water intake so your bowel movements contain enough water.
If you don’t consume enough water, magnesium, and fibre, you may be more likely to experience constipation.
If you’re already constipated, you may find that drinking carbonated waterTrusted Source as well as plain water can help ease your symptoms. - It aids in digestion
Contrary to what some believe, experts confirm drinking water before, during, and after a meal will help your body break down the food you eat more easily. This will help you digest food more effectively and get the most out of your meals.
Research showsTrusted Source the body adapts to changes in the consistency of food and stomach contents, whether more solid or more liquid. - It helps with nutrient absorption
In addition to helping with food breakdown, water also helps dissolve vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from your food. It then delivers these vitamin components to the rest of your body for use. - It improves blood oxygen circulation
Water carries helpful nutrients and oxygen to your entire body. Reaching your daily water intake will improve your circulation and have a positive impact on your overall health. - It helps fight off illness
Drinking enough water can help prevent certain medical conditions. Trusted Source. These include:
constipation
kidney stones
exercise-induced asthma
urinary tract infection
hypertension
Water also helps you absorb important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from your food, which will increase your chances of staying healthy. - It helps boost energy
Drinking water may activate your metabolism. A boost in metabolism has been associated with a positive impact on energy level.
One study found that drinking 500 millilitres of water boosted the metabolic rate by 30 percent in both men and women. These effects appeared to last over an hour.
Affirmations
Water is the best beverage for my body.
I know that water is the healthiest thing for me to drink.
I start my day with a tall glass of water. Water is exactly what my body needs after a night of sleep. Drinking water first thing in the morning gets my day off to a great start.
My body is over 70% water, so I know that it is important to replace the water I lose each day. I have clean water available to drink at all times.
I am free from the urge to drink unhealthy beverages. They might taste good, but I know that choosing these drinks can be detrimental to my health and well-being. Water is good enough for me.
I also appreciate the fact that water is the least expensive beverage, which is great for my bank account.
Drinking water is one way I show that I appreciate my body and value my health. The more water I drink, the better I feel. Drinking water is the only logical choice when I feel thirsty.
Today, I limit myself to water as my beverage. I am doing all I can for my health by only drinking water. Water is the best beverage for my body. Avoiding other beverages is easy for me. Today is the first day of many for drinking only water.
Self-Reflection Questions:
- What do I normally drink? How do those beverages impact my mood or health?
- What can I do to ensure I drink more water each day?
- How would I feel after a month of only drinking water? Am I willing to find out?