Did you know that the human body is made up of 90% water? We’re basically walking cucumbers loaded with anxiety, but let’s not open that can of worms. Right now, we’re interested in whether or not you’re drinking enough water because, spoiler alert: you’re probably not.
Most people only drink about half of the water their bodies need on a daily basis, but water is essential for our bodies to function. Every cell, tissue, and organ needs water to work properly. That’s why dehydration can cause so many problems, like headaches, fatigue, and even good ol’ constipation. It’s a recipe for disaster, and it’s one we see all too often.
The question ‘how to stay hydrated’ can cause many people to run away into hiding. For years now, numerous campaigns have tried to encourage the citizens of America to drink more water. The ‘Water: You Are What You Drink’ campaign is a prime example. But did it inspire men to drink the average 15.5 cups a day while encouraging women to drink the recommended 11.5 cups?
We can tell you this: it didn’t work for the majority of people. It’s something that’s incredibly underrated, but it’s something we need to focus on if we want to be our best selves. Once you drink the recommended water intake a day, you will see that H2o is essential to our very being.
How Will I Know If I’m Drinking Enough Water?
The answer to this question is both complicated and simple. It’s complicated because it depends on a lot of different factors like your activity level, the climate you live in, your age, and your overall health. But it’s also simple because there are some easy ways to find out if you’re drinking enough water.
For example, if your urine is a clear or pale yellow, that’s a good sign that you’re well-hydrated. Conversely, symptoms of not drinking enough water will begin to show if your urine is dark yellow or orange. You can also check your skin for signs of dehydration. If it’s dry, flaky, or feels tight, that’s another sign you need to drink more fluids.
Of course, the best way to know if you’re drinking enough water is to listen to your body. If you’re feeling thirsty, tired, or headache, it’s likely because you need more water. So listen to your body and drink up!
It’s not about chugging down gallons of water in one sitting or carrying around a gallon jug everywhere you go, but rather sipping on fluids consistently throughout the day. This includes coffee, tea, juices, and yes- even milk!
Your recommended water intake will depend on all of the factors we mentioned earlier, but aiming to drink about 2 liters per day is an excellent place to start. We know it’s hard to drink that much water, but think of it this way: by drinking enough water, you’re helping your body run smoothly and preventing problems down the road.
What Are the Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water?
When you get down and dirty with the details, you’ll find that there are a vast amount of health benefits of drinking enough water. For example, H2o is the main chemical component of the human body, making up 50-70% of your body weight. Keeping up with the recommended water intake helps us survive.
Interesting right? Well, let’s plunge straight into more details!
Increases your Brain Function and Energy Levels
The brain is what we use to make decisions and decipher emotions. If we don’t stay hydrated, it’s easy for our minds to shrivel up like a dry sponge, impacting our concentration and our mood.
Now, who wants to wander around grumpy because they have a constant headache and raging anxiety? Not us, that’s for sure! So maintaining the average water consumption per day is critical. Make sure to keep your body and energy levels high by drinking plenty of water.
Will Aid your Digestion
It’s not uncommon to hear people complaining about how bloated they feel or what laxatives they have tried and tested. This is sad for doctors to hear as there is a simpler way to take a load off. Water!
Not only does H2o help to break down the food you eat, which allows the nutrients from the food to be absorbed into your body, but it also moistens your food—ultimately loosening up your stools and letting your bowels free.
If you try drinking the recommended water intake, you may not need to dive for the laxatives anymore. What a win!
Stops You from Getting Dehydrated
When brought up in conversations, this health benefit is often overlooked and swept under the rug. However, it is crucial that we don’t let ourselves get dehydrated.
As mentioned above, the human body comprises 50-70% of water. So, essentially, this means that water feeds every cell, tissue, and organ in our body for us to function correctly. Even mild dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and dry skin.
Do yourself a favor and keep on drinking your water. Your skin will thank you in the long run!
Can Maximize your Physical Performance
If you are a sporty person or regularly exercise as part of a hobby, you may have noticed that you feel tired halfway through your workout session. This lack of energy and fatigue can be caused by not drinking water while you exercise, as you are losing your water weight via sweat. Leading to reduced motivation, increased fatigue, and a change in body temperature control.
All of these symptoms can be avoided by drinking water so that you can maximize your physical performance.
Is Water the Only Option of Staying Hydrated?
The simple answer is no. However, plain water is the best for staying hydrated, hands down. Though we can understand that drinking plain water can become boring, and once you get bored, you’re more than likely going to stop drinking H2o.
Meeting the average water consumption per day doesn’t need to be a mundane task that you never want to do. You can switch it up a bit!
Drinking beverages like milk and fruit juice can also contribute to your daily water intake as they are mainly made of water. Even what we eat provides a lot of water, so eat fruits and vegetables like watermelon and spinach to get the water you need.
Can Drinking Too Much Water be Harmful?
Drinking over the average water consumption per day is an issue that doesn’t occur often. In fact, it’s rare for healthy and well-nourished adults to drink too many fluids. However, athletes can occasionally overdo it as they aim to prevent dehydration during their intense workout sessions, so they drink more water to replace what they’re losing.
This is the wrong thing to do. Drinking too much water can flood your internal organs, making your kidneys struggle as they can’t get rid of the excess water. This leads to the sodium content in your blood becoming diluted, also known as hyponatremia, which can be life-threatening.
Final Thoughts
Many people know that water is crucial to the survival of the human body and mind, as they themselves have probably experienced symptoms of not drinking enough water. However, to this day, many people worldwide are left scratching their heads when thinking about water.
This knowledge is open for the taking, and Innate Healthcare Institute wants to increase the awareness around water and its benefits to our bodies. By answering the question ‘how do I stay hydrated,’ we are hopeful that crucial information can be used to better the lives of our nation.
At Innate Healthcare Institute, we want to see everyone in the best health. It’s your prime time to make a change, and we want to see you succeed!
Contact us to schedule a consultation with our team, and start your journey to better health.
