8 reasons to start drinking more water

Author unknown.
2013-06-10

Many people know that water is incredibly beneficial for the human body, but despite this, they prefer to consume various beverages, neglecting ordinary drinking water. We drink coffee, tea, sweet sodas, alcohol, and fruit juices, but do not get a sufficient daily "dose," thereby dehydrating our bodies and causing harm to our health.

Here are eight compelling reasons that we hope will encourage you to drink plain water more often:

1. Weight loss.

Water is one of the most effective ways to shed extra pounds. Primarily because it can replace many calorie-laden drinks, such as milkshakes, sodas, or alcohol. Water can suppress appetite since often when we think we are hungry, we just need to drink. Water contains no carbohydrates, fats, or sugar, meaning it has no calories.

Additionally, with water, you can learn to control your hunger. Try to drink a glass of cold water 20-25 minutes before meals. The cold will help constrict the stomach, so you will need less food to feel full.

2. Healthy skin.

Plain water will help you achieve perfect skin. Naturally, this won't happen instantly, but just a week after you start drinking more often and in greater quantities, you will notice the effect. A healthy complexion is guaranteed. Remember that water is incredibly important for our skin as it nourishes and hydrates the cells.

3. Energy boost.

People feel tired even with minimal dehydration (just 1 percent of their body weight). If you are thirsty, it means your body is dehydrated, leading to feelings of fatigue, apathy, dizziness, and muscle weakness.

4. Clear mind.

Another sign of dehydration is a headache. Often, headaches occur due to a lack of water in the body. Naturally, there are many other causes for headaches, but dehydration is the main one.

5. Healthy heart.

Few people know that the habit of drinking water reduces the risk of heart attacks. American scientists conducted research over 6 years, which showed that people who drink at least 5 glasses of water a day are 42% less likely to suffer from heart disease than those who consume 2-3 glasses a day.

6. Detoxification.

Plain water helps cleanse the body of toxins, waste, and other harmful substances.

7. Normalization of digestion.

The digestive system of any person requires a significant amount of water to properly digest food. It can help alleviate constipation and solve problems related to increased stomach acidity, which generally arises from dehydration.

8. Sports training.

Dehydration can hinder your runs or workouts at the gym. Due to fatigue, you may simply not be able to handle the loads, leading to various injuries. Therefore, make sure to drink a glass of water before and after your workouts.

If you've decided to start drinking more water, you're probably curious about what amount is considered optimal. This question is quite contentious. Scientists have proven that past recommendations of 8 glasses a day are not entirely accurate for several reasons: first, this figure includes the intake of all beverages (tea, coffee, juices), second, it does not take into account a person's body weight, which is a crucial factor in this calculation, and third, it ignores a person's lifestyle: sedentary or active.

Just try to follow these simple recommendations:

1. Drink a glass of water immediately after waking up, one glass with each meal, and one glass before and after exercising. Try to avoid feelings of thirst.

2. Always carry a bottle of water with you and drink it throughout the day. It’s also a good idea to keep a container of water at your workplace.

3. Set alarms on your phone or watch every two hours, or set reminders on your computer to drink water.

4. Try to replace all beverages, especially sodas or boxed juices, with plain water.

5. If you are short on cash or don't want to spend a fortune on bottled water, buy a special filter that softens and improves the taste of tap water.