“Mind your business, read a book and drink some water!”
Chances are you’ve come across one variation or another of this sentence.
And when you think about it, it is some sound advice. Water is one of the most important things in the world and everyone needs to drink more of it.
It performs some important functions in the body. So if you don’t drink a lot of it, here are 6 reasons why you should:
1. Your joints need it
Basically, the materials in our joints responsible for absorbing shock and making the joints moveable (also found in the disks of the spine), contain around 80 percent water. Long-term dehydration can reduce the joints’ shock-absorbing ability, leading to joint pain.
2. Your whole body needs it
Dehydration simply means your body not having enough water. And because water is key to so many functions in the body, dehydration is very dangerous. It can result in a number of severe complications like: swelling in your brain, kidney failure, seizures among others.
Make sure you drink enough water to make up for what’s lost through sweat, urination, and bowel movements.
3. Your mood and brain-power are depending on it
Not getting enough water can also affect your mood. Dehydration may result in fatigue and confusion as well as anxiety. It may also result in a drastic drag on cognitive functions. In short, you’ll be grumpy and unable to use your brain right.
4. Prerequisite for Clear skin
Even though your genes and overall sun protection have a huge bearing on the aging process, adequate water intake will help keep your skin hydrated and may promote collagen production which will slow down wrinkles and aging.
5. It helps to lose weight
Water may also help with weight loss, if it is consumed instead of sweetened juices and sodas. “Preloading” with water before meals can help prevent overeating by creating a sense of fullness.
6. Combatant of hangovers
When in the club drinking, make sure to drink water (with ice and lemon or just plain water) in between shots to help prevent overconsumption of alcohol. Water helps dissolve minerals and nutrients, making them more accessible to the body. It also helps remove waste products, saving your kidneys.
There you have it, six reasons to take in more water, at least 6-8 glasses a day. If you’re already doing it, kudos. If not, you need to start; it’ll do you a world of good.