Health Benefits of Staying Hydrated

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Water isn’t just something you drink to quench your thirst and prevent dehydration – it has many more benefits than that. Drinking water also keeps us healthy in many ways people may not even realize, which is why it’s important to drink at least 8 glasses a day (and have a water-filled bottle on hand with you if you are out, at school, or at work.)

1. It’s good for the digestive system.
When you don’t drink enough water, you can develop digestion problems – including an increase in stomach acid, which can ultimately increase your risk of developing things like stomach ulcers and heartburn, as well as constipation. In order for the bowels to work as they should and for digestive problems to be prevented or less problematic, it’s important to drink water.

2. It’s good for our kidneys.
Water is what helps our kidneys remove waste from our blood through urine, as well as helps blood travel to and deliver essential nutrients to our kidneys. When you don’t drink enough water and become dehydrated, it’s much more difficult for the kidneys to go through this process. Essentially, our kidneys are what regulate fluid in the body. When you don’t drink enough water, you can develop a wide range of problems including urinary tract infections, as well as kidney problems, including kidney stones, which can lead to kidney damage if not treated properly.

3. It can help prevent hangovers.
While one should never drink alcohol in excess, it’s not uncommon to experience hangovers after consuming alcohol – which can include symptoms such as headaches, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, dizziness or light-headedness, shakiness, or thirst. These symptoms can develop after consuming alcohol because, when you drink it, the body will eventually start to lack fluid and you will pass less urine as a result, leading to lack of electrolytes in the body and dehydration. By drinking water, you can help increase the body’s hydration and reduce the symptoms of a hangover.

4. It’s good for the skin.
If you happen to have dry skin, one of the reasons why could be due to lack of water. This is because when the skin doesn’t get enough water, it starts to lose its elasticity and will start to look and feel parched. By drinking just two cups of water each and every day, you can increase the skin’s blood flow and you should start to notice an improvement in the skin’s appearance. When your skin is dehydrated, it is more prone to developing problems – including, as mentioned, dryness, in addition to fine lines, wrinkles, skin sagginess, and acne.

5. It helps regulate body temperature.
When we are exposed to warm environments or become warm as a result of exercise or illness, such fever caused by the flu, we sweat. Sweating is the way in which the body will try to cool itself down and prevent itself from overheating. To assist in regulating our body temperature, drinking water is important as it also has the ability to expel excess heat from the body. This is why it’s important to drink water before and after working out, as well as when you are ill.

6. It aids weight loss.
If you’re looking to lose weight, two things are important: What you eat, and how much exercise you get. Combined, getting regular exercise and having a diet can help you lose a significant amount of weight. However, drinking plenty of water before, during and after meals can help create that feeling of fullness and reduce your want to snack in-between meals, which can also help assist in weight loss.