5) Water relieves constipation. It may be embarrassing to talk about but constipation is a very common issue, and one of the key treatment protocols is to consume more water. According to Healthline, constipation is particularly high in those with low water intake, so drinking plenty of water will act as both a preventative measure and a treatment option.
6) Your kidneys need water to clean your body. Our kidneys are in charge of keeping our bodies free of toxins, and it is fluid that allows this process to happen. According to WebMD, the main toxin in our body is blood urea nitrogen and it is water-soluble, meaning that if we have enough fluids then our kidneys easily flush it out via urine. And on that note, urine is a good indicator of whether you are well hydrated. It should be light in color with little odor. If you are dehydrated, urine tends to be darker with a stronger smell.
7) Water is essential for healthy skin. Our skin is our largest organ and it needs to be well hydrated. The American Skin Association recommends drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day to keep your skin soft and clear. Water allows the skin to regenerate new cells more quickly, and to keep our pores clear and regulate our body temperature by sweating. Dehydration can cause dull, dry skin, and premature wrinkling.
8) Water makes us stronger. As explained by WebMD, when our muscle cells don’t have enough fluid our electrolytes shrivel, making our muscles feel tired. This means your water intake is especially important when you are exercising, and drinking water a couple of hours before exercise will allow your muscles to be at their best. It’s important to drink small amounts regularly throughout exercise, too, to replace the amount you are sweating out.
9) It helps with joint pain. You may have heard of glucosamine, a common supplement which helps with joint pain. What you may not know is that glucosamine aids in the cartilages ability to absorb water, so once again, water is the key ingredient in keeping your cartilage soft and hydrated, says Breaking Muscle.
10) You’ll be less hungover. According to Healthline, alcohol is a diuretic and it therefore causes you to lose more water than you take in. It feels counterintuitive because you’re drinking so much liquid, but no one can argue with that awful, dry-mouthed thirst you wake up with. A good way of combatting dehydration, and therefore lessening your hangover, is to drink one glass of water between each alcoholic drink you consume, and to ensure that you have a big drink of water before bed.
Not all of us love drinking water, but there are lots of ways to make it more interesting and appealing. Firstly, it’s a good habit to carry a water bottle with you so that you get into a routine of sipping water regularly. You can give it delicious flavor and extra nutrients by adding a slice of lemon or orange, berries, cucumber, or fresh mint leaves. You can carbonate it, or you can even have it in the form of caffeine-free tea. There are lots of yummy, natural teas out there and you can enjoy them hot or cold. Try experimenting over the next week with different ways to increase your water intake. Find out what works for you, set goals, and get hydrated! You’ll feel the difference.
RESOURCES REMEDYDAILY, WEBMD, AUTHORITY NUTRITION, BODY AND SOUL, BREAKING MUSCLE, AND AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION