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Ever wondered why we need water? What with this substance that makes it essential among human beings? Well, one of the main reasons is that our bodies are relatively 60% water. Because of this, it’s vital that we drink water every single day to keep our bodies functioning. And as a basic rule, a person should consume 8-ounce glasses per day. If you’re the type of person who’s not a fan of drinking water, it’s time to change that bad habit now. Here’s a list of the most pivotal health benefits of water that you need to take into account.

Health Benefits of Water

1. Boosts your physical performance

As mentioned earlier, the percentage of water in the human body is up to 60%. This means that if you do not drink enough water, it has a substantial effect on your physical performance. For instance, when doing a lot of exercises, you lose a lot of fluids in the form of sweating. Sweat is generated when your body temperature increase. Because of this, the sympathetic nervous system makes use of the eccrine sweat glands to discharge water to the skin surface.

Accordingly, you have to replenish such losses by drinking more water. But if you stay dehydrated, your physical performance will be affected drastically. With no enough fluid for your bodily parts to function, this can lead to fatigue, fluctuating temperature control, mental instability, and even reduced motivation. That is why you have to drink water when doing high-intensity exercise to keep your body in its tiptop condition.

2. Prevents possible headaches

Headaches and migraines are something you wouldn’t want to happen. And if you’re wondering the possible trigger factors, well, it could be the lack of water in your system. Many studies have established the impact of water among persons experiencing headaches. Generally, it helped them relieve the pain. It’s because when your body is dehydrated, the brain tends to shrink due to the fluid limitation. Consequently, this makes the brain slightly move away from its position, triggering a headache. But once you drink water, the brain plonks up again to its normal state.

However, do take note that this can vary depending on the type of headache. If your headache is just one-time, mainly because you are dehydrated, you can drink water to loosen up the impact. However, if your headaches are recurring, then you should take some necessary actions and consult medical advice. It’s because there might be an underlying reason for your recurring headache.

3. Improves brain function

Have you ever tried lasting a day without water? The major consequence of diminished water level in the body does not just affect the physical aspect but also the mental area. Hydration has a great impact on your brain function. Many studies show that at least 1 to 3 % dehydration can impair the workings of the brain. This can further result in mood deficiency and increased headaches.

There’s also research about the effect of fluid loss among young men. It highlighted the surge of feelings related to fatigue and anxiety. Plus, it has an unfavorable effect on working memory. Therefore, it’s really important that you drink water accordingly to improve your brain performance so you can do your daily tasks smoothly.

4. Relieves constipation

Are you having problems with your bowel movement? Often than not, the first remedy that your parents would say is to drink a lot of water. Actually, this is relatively true! Constipation is generally caused by not drinking enough water or foods with fiber. With the less amount of fluid, the stool in your body tends to solidify, making it hard to pass through the rectum and the anus.

So, if you’re dealing with infrequent bowel movements, it’s time to drink more water. Don’t underestimate the power of this substance. It may not be as attractive as your favorite carbonated drink but it’s definitely the healthiest and cleanest one. The water you drink helps in breaking down the food that you consume and makes it easy to digest. Henceforth, if you’ve always wanted a regular bowel movement and healthy stool, drink regularly.

5. Prevents possible kidney stones

Just like how water helps in the excretion of sweat and stool, it also supports in the urination process. Drinking less water has a notable impact on your urinary system as it may cause kidney stones. These crystallized substances from calcium, uric acid, and oxalate are formed because of the lack of fluid in your urine. As a result, you experience difficulty in urinating, which can further lead to more complications, if not treated earlier.

Therefore, it’s a must to drink enough fluid so the concentration of minerals in your system can be diluted easily. And with the higher fluid intake, you won’t likely get these crystal-formed clumps. So as much as possible, train your mind to drink the recommended number of glasses or even more to avoid getting kidney stones.

Supports weight loss

6. Supports weight loss

Did you know that drinking more water can support your weight loss journey? Water increases satiety, hence boosting your metabolic rate. Some studies showed that 17 ounces of water escalate the metabolism rate by up 24 to 30%. Consequently, drinking 2 liters of water daily helps in the increase of total energy expenditure by 96 calories/day.

However, there’s a suggested time when to drink water. It’s advisable that you take it before your meal, ideally an hour before you eat. Drinking water at this time gives you the notion of being fuller. As a result, you eat lesser. Another study demonstrates that people who drink half a liter of water before meal lost around 44% of their weight in a span of 12 weeks. And there have been researches that signify the relevance of drinking cold water to weight loss. It’s because your body will require using additional energy, or your calories, to keep up with the body temperature.

7. Helps in curing hangovers

A good night out with friends is often associated with drinking alcohol. And if you’re experiencing a bad hangover, you might want to drink a full glass of water or even more! Excessive drinking of alcohol has a direct impact on your body, and this may include fatigue, dry mouth, and headache. It’s because alcohol is actually tagged as a diuretic, which means you lose more than what take. This results in the increased production of urine.

And with the higher excretion level, you have to intake more water to cool down your senses and treat your hangover. Another tip to prevent a hangover is to take a glass of water in between your alcohol consumption. It’s also suggested that you drink one big glass of water before you sleep. This way, you replenish the loss amount of fluid in your body.

Now that you know the amazing health benefits of water, we hope that this will push you to drink the recommended amount of water every day. Always consider drinking water as an essential part of your life. Don’t treat it as an option. It’s a requirement for you to stay healthy and strong. So, make sure that you have enough water supply and you stay hydrated all day long. Remember that your water intake has a prominent impact on your well-being, from your physical endurance to brain performance and everything in between.

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