The Health Benefits of Water

When your water intake does not equal your output, you can become dehydrated. Fluid losses are increased in warmer climates, during strenuous exercise, in high altitudes, and in older adults, whose sense of thirst may not be as sharp.

Did you know that your body weight is approximately 60 percent water?

Your body uses water in all its cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate its temperature and maintain other bodily functions

Fluid losses occur continuously, from skin evaporation, breathing, urine, and stool, and should be replaced daily to maintain good health.

When your water intake does not equal your output, you can become dehydrated. Fluid losses are increased in warmer climates, during strenuous exercise, in high altitudes, and in older adults, whose sense of thirst may not be as sharp.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of drinking water.

1. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids.

Your body is composed of about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature.

2. Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue

Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert. As an added bonus, your energy levels are also boosted!

3. Promotes weight loss

Removes by-products of fat, reduces eating intake (by filling up your tummy if consumed prior to meals), reduces hunger (hello natural appétite supperessant!), raises your metabolism and has zero calories!

According to two studies, drinking 500 ml (17 oz) of water can temporarily boost metabolism by 24-30%!

Drinking water about a half hour before meals can also reduce the amount of calories people end up consuming, especially in older individuals.

One study showed that dieters who drank 500 ml of water before meals lost 44% more weight over a period of 12 weeks, compared to those who didn’t.

Overall, it seems that drinking adequate water (especially before meals) may have significant weight loss benefits especially when combined with a healthy diet.

4. Flushes out toxin

Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI’s (urinary tract infections).

5. Improves skin condition

Moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth. Gets rid of wrinkles. It’s the best anti-aging treatment around!

6. Aids in digestion and prevents constipation

Aids in digestion as water is essential to digest your food and prevents constipation.

7. Headache reliever

Helps relieve and prevent headaches (migraines & back pains too!) which are commonly caused by dehydration

8. Prevents cramps and sprains

Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely.

9. Boost Immune System

Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks.

10. It’s Free!

Water is FREE! Even if you choose bottled or filtered water, it’s still cheaper than high sugar drinks.

How much water should I take?

Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, but in truth, your water needs depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are and where you live.

I personally like the water calculator requirement from www.camelback.com. They partnered with the University of Connecticut and looks into a person’s physical parameters like age, height, body weight and gender and looks at your current activity level. It also looks at the environment you are in as our surrounding environment affects our hydration status.

There are also apps that you can install to keep you reminded to drink your water and check your hydration status.

Another way to know if you are dehydrated is to look in the toilet bowl after urinating. If your urine is clear or light yellow and has little odour, then you’re well hydrated and the darker your urine, the more dehydrated you are.

By: Dr Sharifa Shahreen - SOL Integrative Doctor