The Numerous Benefits of Water!

Drinking water is one of the most simple yet important steps you can take with regards to your health. Not only does water play a role in nearly every bodily function, from cushioning your joints to removing waste from your body, adequate water consumption is crucial to good health. Almost every cell in your body needs water to function properly.

Drinking enough water makes everything function at optimal levels. When we don’t keep our bodies well hydrated, they may react with a variety of signals.

Some of these include:

• Fatigue
  
• Headaches
  
• Constipation
  
• Dry Skin
  

Over the long term, dehydration can affect kidney function, digestion, or blood pressure. Without ample water intake the pancreas is less efficient, acids in the stomach are not properly neutralized and the functions of the intestines are inhibited. Water is just what the body needs. Not only as a source of energy but also as a vital aid to help cleanse the body and ensure that every cell in the body functions properly.

It is believed that 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. In some, the thirst mechanism is so weak it is mistaken for hunger.

Obviously if you are trying to lose weight, water intake is important. Actually, water is the single most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off. And if you have water weight, it may seem strange, but to get rid of the excess water, you must drink more water.

Water also helps with digestion and keeps you from overeating. If you are not drinking plenty of water, you will probably eat more to satisfy your body’s need for water.

Spring or filtered water is your best choice, as tap water contains chlorine and possibly fluoride that can cause dire consequences for your health. Some folks add minerals to distilled water and believe it's the way to go. But for us the jury is still out on distilled water.

Generally, the recommended water intake is one quart to every 50 lbs of body weight. Therefore, an average 150 lb person should drink three quarts of water a day. But don’t confuse water consumption with fluid consumption. Soda and coffee are not acceptable substitutions. Caffeine causes increased urine production and acts as a dehydration agent. These drinks can actually cause the body to lose water making proper hydration more difficult to obtain.

You may also want to begin drinking your water at room temperature if possible, as ice cold water can actually harm the delicate lining of your stomach.