Forming a water Habit: 9 Great reasons to Drink Water

9 Great reasons to Drink Water

You have probably heard this before. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is good for your overall health wellbeing. It is true.

Water plays an essential role in our bodies. It assists in the functioning of the body metabolism including our circulatory, neurological and alimentary systems. So what are the main benefits of drinking water? Below we give you 9 reasons to drink water starting from today.

1. Water is good for your skin

Some people claim that drinking a lot of water every day improves their completion and general appearance over time. Others see this as a myth. So which is true?

A publication by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public health explains that since the skin is an organ, it is made up of cells just like the rest of the body. These cells need water for nourishment and proper functioning. Without water, the cells become dry, flaky and wrinkly. This is why a dehydrated person looks old and wrinkly.

The publication gives a good tip on how to keep your skin hydrated. Applying water to skin!

Because the water you drink has to go to the other body organs before reaching the skin, you can give the skin its own supply of water. Applying a moisturizer just after leaving the shower allows your skin to take in the water. You can also apply products containing hyaluronic acid which attracts and hold water on the skin.

A considerable number of people who increased their water intake have reported an improvement in their complexion including reduction of acne and other skin conditions.

2. Water speeds up Weight loss

Water is the main ingredient of any weight loss plan. No amount of food rations will help you reduce weight without water as part of the strategy, at least not healthily.

According to a study by German scientists from Berlins Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center, published on WebMD.com, water increases the body’s metabolic rate thus burning a considerable amount of calories in a short time. In the study, after drinking 17 ounces of water, the burning of calories increased by 30% in both men and women after just an hour.

The study explained that this was because the body increases temperature while trying to heat up ingested water. This heat in turn burns up the extra calories in the body. So the more water you take, the more calories your body will burn. It’s as simple as that!

3. Prevents heart disease

If you do not see the need to take water from your skin or weight loss, at least do it for your heart.

Research show that water intake does actually have an impact on the heart, just as it does in the rest of the body. One such study is the Adventist health study published in the American Journal of epidemiology. This study sought to find out the relation between lifestyles and coronary heart disease in a Seventh day Adventist community.

The over 20,000 participants involved in the study, over a period of 6 years, individually showed a considerable difference in risks of heart attack.

Respondents who took more than 5 glasses of water in a day showed lower risks of developing heart disease compared to those who took less than 5 glasses of water a day. Participants 38 years and older who took more than 250ml of fluids a day reported no cases of physician-diagnosed heart disease risks, diabetes or stroke over the 6 years of the study. A great reason to drink water, isn’t it?

4. Water gets rid of body toxins

The more water is in your system; the cleaner your system is. Water increases your frequency to excrete urea and other body wastes. This leaves your system clean and healthy. According to publication by The University of Washington, a healthy adult should get rid of the same amount of fluid they ingest.

When there is a lot of water in the body, the kidneys work to excrete the excess fluid to maintain a normal balance. This is why people, who keep themselves hydrated, hardly experience constipation, digestive, kidney problems, and vaginal bacterial infections. Their system naturally gets rid of toxins.

5. Water boosts the immune system.

You probably have never noticed, but water drinkers hardly get sick.

The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports reduced risk of flu, cancer, heart attack, and stroke among people who drink adequate amounts of water. By washing away body toxins, water reduces chances of you developing the disease.

However, it is recommended that you drink enough water during the day but not at night. Waking up to go to the bathroom at night, increases your risk of developing heart attacks because your sleep is interrupted.

6. Water boosts brain power

Another good reason to drink water is that enough water in the blood stream will keep you hydrated and improve your metabolism as well as power your brain and focus. The Institute of Medicine advocates for 13 cups of water a day for men and 9 cups for women.

Dehydration reduces your mental focus. This is why people who are highly dehydrated will experience restlessness and even hallucinations. Dehydration also increases chances of heat stroke.

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7. Water reduces headaches

Want to stop a headache in less than 10 minutes? Take a glass of water.

Renowned Nutritionist Yuri Elkaim terms it as a natural remedy for sudden headaches, migraines, and back pains. Having these is a sign of dehydration. If you have a headache, he advises that you take 8 to 12 ounces of water in small frequent sips rather than all at once.

“Taking a lot of water at once does not give the body enough time to utilize it,” writes Yuri Elkaim on the US news and World report on Health journal, “instead, your body will quickly get rid of it leaving you dehydrated.«

8. Water reduces stress

Dehydration can increase Cortisol levels in the blood. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is triggered when there is not enough water in the blood. Dr. Amanda Carlson told WebMD, that if you do not give your body the right amount of fluids it requires for proper functioning, you will experience stress.

9. Water controls blood sugar

A lot of sugar in your blood will likely increase production of insulin to get rid of the sugar. This increases chances of development of diabetes and other sugar related conditions. According to the US News and World Report on Health journal, abnormal amounts of insulin in blood will lead to hypoglycemia.

This puts you at the risk of developing high blood pressure as well as diabetes. Water helps to control sugar levels in the blood by allowing processing, storage, and excretion of excess sugars. This keeps your system clean and functioning.

When your sugar levels are also too low, there is a problem. But stay away from processed sugars. You can get natural sugars from fruits, vegetables, and meat.

Conclusion

This list is not conclusive, as the benefits of water are endless. Water has also been linked to the reduction of sprains and cramps, the progression of cancer and ulcers. It is also noticeable that frequent water drinkers are often more enthusiastic and happier! Aren’t these good reasons to drink water today?

About the Author

Katleen Brown is a health, beauty & fitness writer. She likes to do research to bring awareness. Recognizing the unity of body, mind, and outlook, she helps empower women to tune into their innate & inner wisdom to transform their health and truly flourish.