Benefits of Drinking Water and Why You NEED to Be Drinking It
What actually are the benefits of drinking water? You will find the answer here and tips on how to drink more water daily.
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Did you know that over half of our body is made up of water? If it is not fully hydrated, our bodies can’t perform to its full potential.
Now, I am not a doctor, just a teacher turned stay-at-home mom. I have had no medical training, but I am a health & fitness coach and have done some research on the benefits of drinking water.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I DRINK A DAY?
According to The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the amount of water you need daily is roughly:
- Men- 125 oz (3.7 liters)
- Women- 90 oz (2.7 liters)
This recommendation is not just drinking water though. It is a combination of drinking water, drinking other liquids, and eating foods that contain water. Research shows that we get about 20% of our daily water necessities from foods that we eat.
Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits all answer. There are many factors that go into the individualized water needs. Use the baseline of 78 oz (for women) or 100 oz (for men) of water daily.
RELATED– Read more on daily water recommendations and find tips to reach your daily water goals.
WHAT IF I DON’T LIKE DRINKING WATER?
You NEED to develop the habit of drinking your water daily so your body can function properly. Figure out why you don’t like it. Is it the flavor or lack thereof? Maybe it is the temperature? I personally cannot stand lukewarm water.
Find a way that you can tolerate water and then build the habit. Don’t worry, your body will get used to it and you will actually start liking it!
Find a way that you can drink it by spicing it up with these tips:
- Try adding fruit like oranges, lemons, or berries.
- Add some veggies like cucumbers.
- Throw in a few herbs like mint.
- Experiment with the temperature.
- Add one tea bag to 32 oz of water for a subtle flavor.
BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER
Water has been around since the beginning of time. All humans require water in order to survive and drinking enough water helps improve our quality of life.
1. WATER REGULATES OUR BODY TEMP.
If our bodies become too hot, we sweat in an effort to lower our body temperature. This prevents our bodies from overheating.
We need water to be able to sweat, and stay cool.
2. IT LUBRICATES OUR JOINTS.
Drinking a sufficient amount of water will lubricate your joints. It can alleviate discomfort and prevent joint pain.
Um, this should be reason enough. Nobody wants extra pain.
3. IT HELPS GET RID OF WASTE.
This may be a little bit of TMI, but drinking water will help eliminate waste in our bodies through sweating, peeing, and pooping.
If you struggle having regular bowel moments, try drinking half of your body weight in ounces for a few weeks and see if it makes a difference!
Check out these tips on how to drink more water.
4. WATER AIDS IN DIGESTION.
It is important to drink water before, during, and after a meal to help the nutrients break down and get get absorbed.
Try to drink 16 ounces about 30 minutes before each meal. During the meal, drink about 8-12 ounces and afterwards another 8-12 ounces.
5. IT HELPS US LOSE WEIGHT.
When you drink water, especially before meals, your stomach will feel more full and therefore you will eat less food.
I am not talking about starving yourself. Your body requires nutrients and we focus on getting them by eating whole foods.
When you feel hungry, first drink 12 ounces of water and wait 15-20 minutes. If you are still hungry, then go grab a snack.
6. WATER ACTIVATES OUR METABOLISM.
Activating your metabolism will give you more energy throughout your day. It will also help you to lose weight and burn more calories throughout your day.
If you are looking to lose weight, start by drinking more water!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Drinking a sufficient amount of water will help your body perform at its best.
- Water helps lubricate joints and can alleviate pain.
- It boosts metabolism which can help in weight loss.
- Water helps get rid of waste through perspiration, urination, and bowel movements.
- It helps regulate body temperature to prevent overheating.
Be sure to check out the 7 Simple Hacks to Reaching Your Daily Water Goal!
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