Water is life (literally!).
The adult human body is roughly 60% water, which clearly indicates how fundamental it is to our existence.
You can live a few weeks without food, but without water, you shall only last a few days.
Water is an important component required for carrying out many important functions and chemical reactions in the body.
When the body lacks a sufficient amount of water, we become dehydrated and our internal systems slow down for sustaining life.
Water has a neutral pH and comes with zero side effects, which is not something you can say about any other of your regular drinks or beverages.
Many people never drink plain water because of its lack of taste, which is strange.
In fact, nothing tastes better than uncontaminated H2O when you are thirsty or your throat is parched.
Drinking at least two liters of H2O every day should be a basic rule to live by.
People having a hyperactive lifestyle or job involving strenuous physical activity need even more.
If you are not accustomed to drinking water, it is never too late to get on board.
Start with 2 to 3 glasses per day and then increase your intake as you start to get comfortable with it.
You will notice a difference within a few days.
Why Pure Water
Sugar-loaded and fizzy drinks are bad for you, especially if you do not consume any H2O to compensate for their dire effects.
Similarly, alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea should also be taken in moderation.
Even though most of these drinks contain a high percentage of water, they are not the same as the pure form.
Beers and wines are okay to indulge in occasionally but bear in mind that too much alcohol will damage your liver at an early age.
Without a functional liver, your body shall be overloaded with toxins, which will ultimately become your demise.
Intoxication is likely to interfere with your personal and professional life; not to mention, DUI charges are the worst kind of social stigma.
1. Energy Boost
If you feel dizzy and exhausted after a night’s sleep, start your day with two glasses of plain warm water.
You will immediately feel refreshed and ready to take on the world.
Your body has been in hibernation mode after seven or more hours of sleep and that can leave you dehydrated.
Drinking water on an empty stomach triggers wakefulness as our internal systems catch on to normal speed.
2. Beats Fatigue
If you feel lethargic or drained most of the time, it could be because you are dehydrated.
Caffeine is a good stimulant, but water is the fuel for running your body’s powerhouse.
Drinking a glass of water every one or two hours will maintain your energy level and enhance productivity.
You will perform better at workout sessions and feel less tired after exerting yourself.
3. Brain Power
The composition of our brain is almost 75% water, which is why drinking it is necessary to maintain optimum functionality.
Lack of hydration declines our ability to concentrate, memorize, and solve problems.
Drinking plentiful water throughout the day will keep you alert and focused, whilst expanding your memory.
4. Improved Blood Circulation
Water dilutes the blood and thereby reduces blood pressure.
It also helps the blood bind more oxygen and carry it to different parts of the body.
This prevents numbness in the extremities and supports mobility. Effective blood circulation keeps our heart and lungs in excellent working condition.
5. Temperature Regulation
As water improves blood circulation, it is easier for the body to maintain a uniform temperature.
Your body performs better at keeping you warm when external temperatures are low and vice versa.
When the surrounding temperatures are too high, drinking cold water helps the internal fluids cool down and dissipate excessive heat.
6. Faster Digestion
Water is a key element used in hydrolytic reactions.
It is used to break down large food molecules into soluble nutrients, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream to provide energy.
Dehydration slows down digestion, which in turn delays the replenishment of energy after a meal.
7. Eliminates Constipation
People who drink an ample amount of water rarely suffer from constipation.
Constipation is primarily caused by dehydrated feces and insufficient fluid to regulate bowel movement.
Water softens the body’s waste and aids in excretion.
8. Amplified Metabolism
Given that water promotes the breakdown of complex food molecules, the process of digestion speeds up and amplifies metabolism.
A high metabolic rate increases physical endurance and accelerates weight loss.
You’ll burn calories more efficiently even when your body is in resting mode.
9. Controls Appetite
Drinking water before and between meals keeps you full for longer, discourages overeating, and prevents untimely hunger or food cravings.
A thriving metabolic rate promotes the burning of fatty tissue to keep you energized at all times.
Proper digestion also prevents loss of appetite, so you don’t feel the urge to skip meals.
10. Removal of Toxins
Water helps your kidneys, lungs, and liver to naturally detoxify the body.
It prevents the formation of kidney stones and cleanses the urinary tract to inhibit infections.
Water also flushes out body toxins in the form of sweat and urine.
11. Flawless Glowing Skin
The detoxifying properties of water play an important role in clarifying our skin.
Toxins in the body typically surface on the skin as pimples and breakouts.
Water transports these toxins to the kidneys instead, thereby keeping your skin clean.
Your skin becomes smoother and your complexion improves over time. Water also keeps the skin hydrated, making it appear fresh and radiant.
Related: My Top Collagen Pick For Glowing Skin
12. Better Mood
Water helps clear the mind, thus it is effective for alleviating stress and anxiety.
The boost to mental and physical energy helps achieve mindfulness.
Drinking a glass of chilled water often helps cool down anger, so you feel calm and relaxed.
13. Healthier Kidneys
The more water you drink, the healthier are your kidneys.
Water enables efficient nutrient transfer to the kidneys via the bloodstream and removal of waste via urination.
Dehydration, on the other hand, reduces blood flow and promotes the development of kidney stones due to less excretion.
Related: 9 Benefits Of Adding Lemon To Your Water
14. Prevention of Aches and Pains
Aches and pains often occur when the body lacks essential fluids.
Dehydration reduces brain capacity, which is why a person may experience headaches while trying to utilize brain cells.
Water maintains the necessary fluid medium required to keep the body stress-free.
Related: 27 Best Essential Oils For Pain Relief
15. Shuns Cramps and Strains
Water is a natural lubricant for our muscle and bone joints.
When we are dehydrated, we become susceptible to cramps and strains because there is not enough lubricant to stabilize sharp movements and absorb shock.
16. Excellent Oral Health
Sweet drinks cause sugar buildup in the mouth, which promotes the propagation of bacteria.
These bacteria cause tooth decay and create cavities in our gums.
Fizzy and alcoholic drinks are acidic in nature, which may trigger tooth corrosion and bad breath.
Water washes away harmful bacteria and other foul-smelling substances, thereby improving oral health.
Dehydration can cause dryness in the mouth, creating an optimum environment for bacterial growth.
17. Fights Hangovers
Drinking loads of water between drinks lowers the alcohol concentration in blood, thereby keeping the person sober for longer.
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that too much drinking can quickly dehydrate your body.
By taking water between drinks you can stabilize your vitals, avoid getting too drunk, and escape an excruciating hangover the next day.
If you are suffering from a hangover, drink plain water to alleviate the symptoms by accelerating the discharge of body toxins.
18. Stronger Immune System
People who drink an ideal amount of water every day develop a stronger immune system.
Water balances the amount of useful nutrients and minerals in the body, whilst ejecting harmful substances.
Most disease-causing toxins are flushed out by the body and others are effectively tackled by the quick immune response.
Related: Why You Should Drink Reverse Osmosis Instead Of Tap Water
19. Retains Body Fluids
Our eyes, nose, and mouth need a layer of moisture for protection, which is provided in the form of mucus and saliva.
Moreover, our blood cells need plasma and the liver needs bile to serve its purpose.
Even tears are useful for lubricating the eye and shielding it from irritants at times.
If you don’t drink enough water, these fluids could dry up and expose you to a range of health hazards.
20. Reduced Body Odor
The more water you drink, the more frequently you get rid of stinky toxins.
Drinking plentiful water dilutes the sweat and urine, which weakens the odor or makes it much tolerable.
The same goes for other fluids in your body, thus it is safe to say that water can significantly improve your hygiene.
Bottom Line
We’ve all heard we should be drinking water as our primary drink during the day but don’t stress if you don’t.
Just add an extra glass today and gradually work up to drinking more each day.
You’ll soon start seeing the benefits for yourself.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-reasons-to-drink-water#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dehydration/symptoms-causes/syc-20354086
I love water but I do have a question. I will often drink 16 oz at a time – I’ve heard it’s better to sip than drink a lot at one time because it is easier on the body. True?
I’ve heard that too but found no evidence that sipping vs drinking a lot at one time makes a difference for most people.
Drinking water was always the cure-all my mom swore by when I was a kid. Got a sore throat, fever, hang nail, or heart ache, she would prescribe drinking more water! There was a lot of wisdom in that advice. ❤️
Thanks for your comprehensive article.
That’s funny. Same with my mom and now I say the same thing to my girls.
These are awesome reminders/tips on the benefits of drinking more water.
Thanks! I was preaching to myself as I wrote it. 🙂