Since elementary school most of us have been taught the basics of a “healthy” diet. I put quotations around healthy, because that word could have a different meaning to different people. The definition could be dependent on a variety of factors such as age and culture. However, something that is a staple in all diets is drinking water. In America, most of us are taught to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. But, have many of us actually thought about why? Well, I am here to give you a few good reasons to keep up or increase your water intake in order to feel your best.
First off, the body is made of 60-70% water (Zelman, 2018). The body uses this water to preform daily tasks like digestion, circulation and maintain body temperature. And, it may seem like the obvious one, we need water to stay hydrated. It is when the body has a higher water out take than intake that we become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause us to feel light head and fatigued. Keep in mind how much water we secrete on a daily basis through sweating and urination. We must replenish the water loss in order to feel our best. Secondly, consuming water can help control calorie intake. This is another recommendation that may sound familiar, drinking a glass of water before meals. This indeed is true. Drinking a glass of water before a meal can help you feel more satiated, thus consuming less calories per meal (LeMeaux, 2019). In addition, drinking water with meals can replace other high calorie, sugar filled beverages. This alone will help reduce unnecessary calories. Lastly, number three, which maybe I should have labeled as number two, is water helping with regular bowel movements. Water may not be the first remedy we think about when we are having trouble regulating our bowels. However, water can help! Drinking ample amounts of water will keep your GI tract moving smoothly. It is when you do not get enough water that, “colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration — and the result is constipation.” (Zelman, 2018).
The list can go on about the benefits of drinking a sufficient amount of water to improve your health. Creating a healthier lifestyle does not have to be complicated or expensive. Increasing your water intake is a great place to start. Find a way to increase your intake that is sustainable for you and see the results!
LeMeaux, E.C. “How Drinking More Water Can Help You Lose Weight.” Gaiam, 2 May 2019, http://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/how-drinking-more-water-can-help-you-lose-weight.
Zelman, Kathleen M. “Why Drink More Water? See 6 Health Benefits of Water.” WebMD, WebMD, 8 May 2018, http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/6-reasons-to-drink-water#3.
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