Have you gone an entire day without drinking water? You may have felt sluggish or had a headache afterward. The truth is, a lack of H2O can make you feel sick because water is essential to keep your body moving.
Water dispenses energy for your body’s every function by carrying nutrients and oxygen to your cells. If you prioritize water intake in your routine, it could help you keep a healthy mind and body. When you’re fully hydrated, you can live your life as glamorously as you deserve to be.
What Happens If You Don't Drink Enough Water?
If you don’t take in enough fluids throughout the day, you may experience dehydration. Since your body needs water to perform its most basic functions, dehydration can wreak havoc on your daily life. You might become irritable, suffer from exhaustion, and stress out over every little thing without realizing that the culprit was simply a lack of water.
The symptoms of dehydration include:
- Excessive thirst
- Dry mouth
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Headache
People with severe dehydration could experience confusion, dizziness, or fainting. If you suspect you are severely dehydrated, contact a medical professional as soon as possible to address your health concerns.
To prevent dehydration, act proactively rather than reactively. Drink water before you feel thirsty, and keep a special water bottle by your side as a reminder to sustain your daily intake.
Why Should You Drink More Water?
Although the actual amount of water in the body can vary based on circumstance, up to 60% of the human adult body is composed of water.
Keep in mind that it is possible to drink too much water, especially when you have certain medical conditions. However, in most cases, the large volume of H2O in our bodies means we should be careful to maintain our hydration.
How Much Water Should You Drink?
The American College of Sports Medicine suggests that the average adult drink 9 - 13 cups of fluid per day. While not all of these fluids need to be water, it is essential to note that sugary drinks like soda and energy drinks are not an ideal substitute. They may contain unnecessary calories and add little nutritional value.
Various factors, including the food you eat, how much you exercise, and how much alcohol you drink can also affect hydration levels. Therefore, it is best to do what works the most for your body. If you can, work with a professional to determine how much water you need to keep your body healthy.
How To Drink More Water If You Don't Like The Taste:
While water is naturally delicious to some, the occasional person may complain that water “tastes like nothing.” If you are one of those people, we’re here to help. We have a few ways to trick yourself into drinking more water if you don’t already like it.
Infused water
We’ve talked before on our blog about infused water. This refreshing treat infuses the essence of fruit and herbs with water and makes hydration a delectable experience. Drinking infused water might be the solution you have been looking to make your H2O taste more flavorful.
Coffee and tea
If you’ve been told not to drink coffee or tea because it dehydrates you, we have fantastic news. Your 9 am coffee routine is safe! According to Time, coffee and tea count as sufficient sources of water intake. In the article, Dr. Daniel Vigil explains that any necessary fluid is still absorbed when you drink your morning pick-me-up.
Make it a special routine
A unique way to increase your water intake is to make hydrating an exceptional experience. Keep a luxury water bottle by your bedside table and make an effort to turn hydration into a daily ritual. It might help you take more time for yourself and your body.
If you want to learn more about the wonders water can do for your body, check out these top 10 health benefits of drinking water.
The Benefits Of Drinking More Water:
1. It may improve your mood.
Suppose you’ve ever snapped at a coworker while suffering from a dry mouth, only to have your spirits lift instantly at the water cooler. In that case, you’re familiar with the effects of dehydration on your mood.
In a study published by Cambridge University, twenty random subjects were evaluated based on their hydration levels. Once more water was introduced to their system, those who experienced mild dehydration saw a gradual improvement in different aspects of their mood.
So, the next time you’re starting to feel down, you might want to rethink your situation after you take a long drink of H2O.
2. It could help reduce headaches.
The first thing people usually say when you reveal that you are suffering from a headache is, “Make sure you drink water!” As cliche as the advice sounds, there is science to back this claim up.
Headaches can be a symptom of dehydration, so your body might be giving you a sign that it’s time to reach for your water bottle. Countless research studies have pointed to the possibility that increasing your water intake can reduce the severity of headaches.
3. It may improve cognitive function.
Many research studies have shown that drinking water could aid positive cognitive function.
One study explored the difference between the expectation that water will positively change the body and the physical effects of the water itself. The surveyors only gave half of each group water before they had the participants perform a cognitive task. The participants who got water improved in their tasks across the board. These results appeared regardless of whether or not they were told the water would help them.
If you’re looking to sharpen your mind, habitually drinking enough water could be your solution.
4. It could help you lose weight.
Studies suggest that drinking half a liter before a meal may affect weight loss. One study even went so far as to conclude that drinking more water may help lose weight independent of diet and activity.
While we do not suggest skipping out on your daily workout routine, drinking more water might be the secret ingredient you’ve been missing to round out your diet.
5. It could reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer.
Experts have studied ways that drinking water could prevent certain kinds of cancer. H2O generally benefits the wellness of your whole body, but the specific cancer-fighting aspects come from water’s ability to flush out toxins. One study explains that drinking water pushes out carcinogens in the bladder, decreasing the risk of developing bladder cancer.
In combination with reducing risk factors like smoking and drinking alcohol, increasing your water intake may also help prevent colorectal cancer and breast cancer. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental and Public Health concluded, “Drinking water is convenient, harmless, and beneficial on many aspects of health.”
6. It may improve digestion.
If you’ve suffered from an irritable gut, you might be surprised that something as simple as a bit of water may help. Alina Petre, a registered dietician, says, “Whether consumed during or before meals, liquids play several important roles in our digestion process.” Out of all the drinks that can help with digestion, plain water ranks at the top as nature’s digestive aid.
Water helps break down food so that your body can absorb the nutrients it needs. The next time you have a stomachache, try getting yourself a glass of water instead of ginger-ale.
7. It may help constipation.
Drinking water could also help you when you really have to, you know, go. Constipation could be caused by many more health problems aside from dehydration, but drinking more fluids can help soften the stool inside your body.
This solution isn’t a cure-all, so monitor your condition carefully and talk with your doctor to rule out any possible underlying conditions.
8. It might help regulate body temperature.
Many factors affect body temperature, from the weather to internal hormonal functions. However, an adequate intake of water can regulate body temperature while you exercise.
Since you lose water, plasma, and electrolytes when you sweat, your temperature may rise after cardiovascular strain or in high heat. The elixir of life could help bring your temperature back to an average level.
10. It could lower your blood pressure.
Some might ask, “Can drinking lots of water lower your blood pressure?” Research suggests that answer might be a “yes!” An article by Dr. Steven Sinatra states that dehydration can force the body to work extra hard by retaining sodium and putting pressure on your blood vessels.
Dr. Sinatra explains that the best way to lower your blood pressure naturally over time is to stay hydrated.
The verdict on water:
In this post, we’ve explored the many ways drinking water might benefit your health. Whether you want to clear up your skin or start taking preventative steps against cancer, drinking water shows up time and again as a powerful way to keep your body strong.
If you tend to forget to drink water during the day, invest in something special to remind you to stay hydrated. We are obsessed with these sparkly water bottles. They are a luxury to have, so you will take them everywhere with you as a reminder to stay hydrated and glamorous.
Disclaimer:
We want to stress that the TOMO team is dedicated to providing accurate and insightful information regarding your health. However, this is not medical advice. If you are experiencing any health concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider.
Author:
Julia Bratu, TOMO Team: Julia Bratu is a copywriter and content writer who specializes in sustainability and the luxury industry. Her mission is to make complex topics more accessible to the average person by writing fun, reliable, and inspiring content.
