Water is the elixir of life, but do we get enough of it?
Many people think that substituting sodas, coffee and juice for water is enough
to keep us hydrated and healthy, but nothing can beat the original and the best
– water.
Our bodies are made up of 43-75% water, and it’s an
essential component of our health. The wide range in percentages comes from
measuring different populations ranging from newborns (~75%) to obese people
(~45%), with normal adult hydration at about 57-60%.
We can survive a month without food, but we’ll die after a
week without water. The body is able to absorb many nutrients and salts better
thanks to water’s ability to transport these nutrients and oxygen to our body’s
cells and organs. Detoxifying is vitally
important to our health, since it cleans our bodies of impurities. The best way
to excrete these impurities is through urine and sweat – both of which depend
on our water intake. Upping your water intake may help to reduce the risk of
kidney stone formation. The kidneys filter our waste products through the blood
and out via urination. If the concentration of salt in our urine is high, and
our water content low, this increases the risk of kidney stone formation. By
drinking more water, this concentration of salts is reduced.
We are at risk of sunstroke if our bodies become dehydrated.
When we sweat, this cools our body down. If dehydrated, the body cannot sweat
and overheats, which can damage the body’s internal organs.
If you suffer from high blood pressure, maybe it’s your
water intake that is the problem. When our bodies excrete and lose more than
the optimal amount of liquid, our blood vessels constrict, which can cause our
blood pressure to increase. If blood pressure is increased by a deficiency in
water, this may also increase the risk of heart disease. Because the
constricted blood vessels cause an increase in blood pressure, the heart works
harder to compensate for the reduced volume of blood. Lower blood pressure and
greater consumption of water help lower stress on the heart.
What’s more, drinking more water can help you stay younger
looking. Drinking a lot of water helps keep the skin clean and fresh-looking by
removing impurities through sweating. Water also helps to keep the skin hydrated,
which means younger looking skin – sagging and wrinkled skin is usually a sign
of dehydration. Drinking water also cuts hunger pangs and acts as a good
filler. Water has zero calories, so consider trading in your sugary drinks and
juices to help control your weight.
If increasing your water intake seems like a chore, why not
add lemon or mint to your bottle to make it taste better? Eat more fruits rich
in water such as watermelon, and try to drink water more regularly over the
course of the day. Having a glass of
water or water bottle near you during the day has been shown to increase water
consumption without effort.
Author Bio:
Dr. Matt Ramirez graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Human Biology in 2004 and received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2006. He specializes in auto injury recovery and rehabilitation and has enhanced and improved thousands of lives as well as treated people of all ages over the years. He is also an expert in health and wellness, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and more...
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