Water: It Does a Body Good, by Gina Stano, CPT

Water is probably one of the most overlooked and underrated critical elements our bodies need to function efficiently.  Did you know that 60% of our bodies are made up of water?

The truth is when we become thirsty we are ALREADY WELL INTO A DEHYDRATED STATE. No!!! Coffee, soda, and tea DO NOT count as water. Yes, it’s true. 🙄 They dehydrate the body, and for those of you that like a little nightcap now and then…well, alcohol dehydrates the body as well.

Perhaps it is the ubiquitous nature of water that eludes us from drinking enough of it each day.  Here are just a few key reasons we all need to be a little more mindful at prioritizing our water intake everyday:

* Aids in weight loss*

Having a full glass of water before a meal can prevent overeating by creating a sense of fullness.  In addition, water also helps with eliminating fat in the body.

* Boosts performance during exercise*

It helps with endurance of our bodies when exercising. In fact, one study suggests that lack of hydration can force you to cut your workout down by 30 minutes!

* It flushes body waste*

It helps body eliminate waste in the form of urine and bowel movements.

* It lubricates the joints*

Cartilage is 80% water. When we are dehydrated over long periods of time our joints become less efficient at shock absorbing, putting us more at risk of injury.

* It forms saliva and mucus*

Saliva helps us digest our food better and keeps the mouth clean, preventing tooth decay.

* It delivers oxygen throughout the body*

Blood is more than 90% water and delivers oxygen to all the different parts of our bodies.

* It boosts the skin’s health and beauty*

Dehydration can lead to skin disorders and premature aging of the skin.

* It supports brain function*

Brain health REQUIRES HYDRATION for thinking, problem solving, focus, memory, reasoning, understanding, and communication.  Very often dementia symptoms are mistakenly diagnosed when dehydration is the culprit.

* It regulates body temperature*

We need water in order to allow the body to naturally perspire and cool down the body.

* The digestive system depends on it*

Water helps prevent an acidic stomach preventing heartburn and proper digestive function requires good hydration.

* It helps maintain healthy blood pressure*

Lack of hydration makes the blood thicker which can lead to hypertension.

* It prevents kidney damage*

The kidneys regulate fluid in the body.   Insufficient water can lead to kidney stones and other problems.

Some helpful tips to getting more water into your everyday routine:
1)Eat lots of fruits and vegetables as most of them have a natural water content that can be helpful like watermelon, lettuce, and cucumber.
2)Drink room temperature water.
3)Get in the habit of carrying around a water bottle so you always have it available to you at any time.

Think about the good you are doing for your body with every sip you take!
Happy water drinking!