Your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water, so maintaining proper hydration keeps your body running effectively and efficiently.
Many people may be unaware of the importance of staying hydrated. Below you will see not only the importance of hydration, but also the signs of dehydration and how to avoid it.
What Is Hydration?
Water is required for very basic functions such as regulating blood pressure and body temperature, hydration, and digestion (The body requires about 1.5 milliliters of water to absorb every calorie taken in.)
75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated, the same goes for 50% of the world population.
Why Is It Important To Hydrate?
- Even mild dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism by 3%.
- 1 glass of water will shutdown midnight hunger pangs.
- Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79% and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer.
- Your body needs to be hydrated in order to function at its optimal level. If there isn’t enough liquid in your body, essential functions like circulation don’t go as smoothly as they should.
- Water regulates body temperature.
- In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.
- Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.
- Water is the primary mode of transportation for all nutrients in the body and is essential for proper circulation.
- Water can prevent and alleviate headaches.
- Water aids in the digestion process and prevents constipation.
- Dehydration can also affect your mood. If you haven't been drinking enough water, you can feel tired, cranky, or irritable. You might even imagine that you're hungry, when your body is actually craving is water.
- Hydration is important for productivity and thinking clearly. If you're dehydrated, your productivity may suffer. It's important to remember that your body loses water all day, and you should replace water continuously throughout the day.
What Are The Signs Of Dehydration?
- Chronic pains in joints and muscles
- Lower back pain
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Urine with a strong odor, along with a dark yellow or amber color
- Fuzzy short term memory
- Fatigue
- Dry Skin
- Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in face, you need water long before you feel thirsty
How To Stay Hydrated
- Carry a bottle of water with you at all times
- Do not substitute alcohol, coffee, tea, soda, etc. for water. Soft Drinks, coffee, and tea, while made up almost entirely of water, also contain caffine. Caffeine can act as a mild diuretic, preventing water from traveling to necessary locations in the body.
- Drink a glass of water with each meal, as well as between meals.
- Water is especially important when exercising because you lose water through sweat - stay hydrated before, during, and after your workout.
- Follow the 8x8 rule: Drink eight 8oz. glasses of water everyday (1.8 liters)
Copyright Kristen Putch. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Kristen Putch - Marley has been a freelance writer since 2006, covering travel, food, health, fitness and women's issues for a variety of publications. ...
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