Ever wondered why there’s so much importance attached to water? It’s very common to hear that water is essential for your health, but why?
Firstly, water makes up the majority of our body weight and is involved in almost all essential body functions, including:
1. Helping the brain function
2. Regulating body temperature
3. Flushing out waste from the body.
Although food contributes a small amount of water to our daily intake, most water in the body is gotten from beverages.
Below are some of the importance of water.
1. It helps create saliva
You’ll notice that it can be somewhat difficult to produce saliva during drought or when you’re fasting. This is because water is the main component of saliva. Your body only produces enough saliva when there’s a regular intake of water. This can’t be avoided as saliva is a very important aid to digestion. Saliva, made up of water, and small amounts of electrolytes, mucus and enzymes, is essential for breaking down solid foods and keeping the mouth healthy. Apart from drought, some medications, therapy, and even age can alter the production of saliva. If you feel your mouth feel drier even after drinking enough water, visit your doctor.
2. It regulates body temperature
Staying hydrated is very crucial in maintaining body temperature. The human body loses water through sweat during physical activities and when in hot environments. The purpose of sweat is to deliver a cooling effect to the skin. Sweat keeps the body cool, but it drains water from the body. With less water in the body, body temperature rises. The reason behind this is that the body loses electrolytes and plasma when it’s dehydrated. If you’re sweating more than usual, it’s advised to take in plenty of water.
3. It helps excrete waste through perspiration, urination, and defecation
The human body uses water to regulate sweat, urination, and bowel movements. As said above, sweat regulates body temperature during exercises or when one is found in hot environments. Water is needed to replenish lost fluids in the form of sweat. Enough water is also required for the system to avoid constipation and have healthy stools. In terms of urination, the kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste through urination. Adequate water intake helps the kidney function more efficiently and helps to reduce the risk of developing kidney stones.
4. It helps maximize physical performance
Drinking plenty of water during physical activities is very important. Athletes can perspire up to 6-10 percent of their total body weight during intense physical activities. Staying hydrated also has a positive effect on power, strength, and endurance.
5. It helps prevent constipation
Eating fibers (either soluble or insoluble) isn’t enough to prevent constipation. It is also important to drink plenty of water. Having enough water in your system eases your bowel movements. This makes passing out stool easy. If you don’t ingest enough water amongst other nutrients like fiber and magnesium, you run the risk of experiencing constipation.
6. It helps digestion and nutrient absorption
Contrary to popular beliefs, recent studies confirm that drinking water before, during, and after a meal helps the body break down food more easily. This makes digestion very easy and fast. In addition to helping with food breakdown, water dissolves vitamins and nutrients from food, making it easier to absorb by the body. Water is also needed to deliver these nutrients and vitamins components to the rest of the body for use.
7. It helps lose weight
Lots of research has described a direct link between healthy weight loss and drinking lots of water. Drinking lots of water during a weight loss regimen makes it easier to lose extra pounds.
8. It improves blood oxygen circulation
Water transports helpful nutrients and oxygen to your entire body. Achieving your daily water intake will improve blood oxygen circulation and positively impact your overall health.
9. It helps improve mood
Yes, not getting enough water can put a damper on how you feel. Dehydration may result in fatigue, anxiety, and confusion.
10. It helps keep the skin bright
Adequate water intake hydrates the skin and increases collagen production. This process makes the skin healthy and might promote the softness and water-retaining power of the skin. Drinking enough water also helps the skin combat sunburns for longer periods.
11. It promotes cognitive function
Staying hydrated has a positive effect on cognitive function. Not drinking enough water could negatively impact your ability to focus, alertness and could cause short-term memory loss.
The importance of water to almost every part of the body cannot be over-emphasized. Not only will staying hydrated help maintain your current state of being, but it may also help improve your overall health.
