Seven reasons to drink more water
(Share this quick and easy read with your friends and family who just don’t drink enough water.)
Many of us simply aren’t hydrating enough, but it is a straightforward equation. Approximately 60% of the human body is made up of water, and you can survive much longer without food than you can without proper hydration. Here are seven reasons to hop on the hydration bandwagon… or to remind that loved one why drinking enough water is important.
- Energize your muscles
75% of our muscles are water. When the cells in our muscles don’t have enough water, they shrivel and diminish the muscles’ ability to perform. Furthermore, water helps with muscle recovery when it flushes out toxins and metabolites released during workouts.
- Protect your joints
Water primarily makes up the fluid that lubricates and cushions your joints, tissues, and spinal cord. It helps decrease any friction between joints to maintain healthy tissue. Drinking water can alleviate discomfort and pain when partaking in physical activities, including pain caused by arthritis.
- Improve digestion
Drinking water, before, during, and after a meal, will help your body better break down your food and absorb nutrients. Water works to dissolve fat and soluble fiber, which in turn facilitates the process of eliminating waste.
- Transport nutrients and oxygen through the bloodstream
Once our body digests our food, water helps transport the carbohydrates, proteins, and other nutrients absorbed and sends them to where they need to go.
- Increase alertness and focus
Your water intake directly impacts your cognitive functions: attention, memory, decision making, and perception. Your brain is composed of 75% water; so, when you properly hydrate, your focus, mental clarity, and energy levels improve. It takes very little dehydration to impair brain function.
- Alleviate (and often prevent) headaches
Studies have also shown that drinking water can relieve headaches (keep in mind this also depends on the type of headache). Dehydration is sometimes to blame for a headache, so keeping up on your water intake can help avoid some headaches altogether.
- Keeps your skin looking healthy
Like the other organs in your body, your skin is primarily made of water. It serves as barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. When dehydrated, our skin cells begin to wither, which can result in dry, tight, and even flakey skin. Water will help keep your skin plump and help flush out some of toxins that contribute to breakouts.
Water is essential in maintaining a healthy mind and body. We hope some of this knowledge inspires you to up your water intake whether it be for better energy levels or improved athletic performance. Stay hydrated folks!
Healthy Living is a frequently updated content section brought to you by the Saudi Sports for All Federation. In the spirit of supporting our #HealthyActiveCommunity, we’re sharing tips around wellness, physical activity and more!
