So most of us realise our bodies need water, right?  Your body uses water in all its cells, organs, and tissues.  Water helps to regulate our bodies temperature and maintain a whole bunch of bodily functions. Because your body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion, it’s important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water.  For many of us, eight glasses a day may not be enough.

One of the things I learnt while working with the team at the Diabetes Clinic was that most of the time we feel hungry we are actually thirsty.  This is very common with nearly everyone and before you go chowing down on more food, have a glass of water first and wait about 30 minutes to see how you feel.

Here are the ten top reasons why we need to drink more water.

1. Without water, we die.  Pretty simple.  The body and brain can go without food for some time (the world record is over a year) but without water, we will start getting into serious trouble within a week.
2. Water can help prevent serious disease.  Research on colon cancer in Taiwan confirms water along with physical exercise helps reduce the risk of colon cancer.  Water is also linked to helping a number of major health issues including other cancers and conditions like Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
3. We perform better. Proper hydration contributes to increased physical performance. Water composes 75% of our muscle tissue. Dehydration can lead to weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and electrolyte imbalance.
4. Lose weight. As I have learned from the team at the Diabetes Clinic, sometimes, we think we are hungry, when actually we are thirsty. For those of you trying to drop some kilos staying hydrated can serve as an appetite suppressant and help with weight loss.
5. Prevent/fix headaches. Sometimes headaches are a result of dehydration so drinking water can prevent or help you get rid of that pain in your head. Next time your head hurts, try drinking water.
6. Help clean out your systems. Water helps us move our waste and unwanted bacteria. Our digestive system needs water to do its job properly. Waste is flushed out in the form of urine and sweat. If we don’t drink water, we don’t flush out waste and it collects in our body causing a myriad of problems. Increase your water if you are feeling constipated it is highly likely to help.
7. Be Happier. Research says dehydration can affect your mood and make you grumpy and confused. If you are feeling grumpy and annoyed try drinking water to lift your mood.
8. Nourish your body.  Water is essential for circulation of nutrients around the body. Water is the body’s transportation system and when we are dehydrated things just don’t work as well.
9. Great for your skin. Our skin is the largest organ in our body. Regular and plentiful water consumption can improve the color and texture of your skin by keeping it building new cells properly. Drinking water assists the skin regulating the body’s temperature.
10. General Wellbeing. Water helps with just about everything in our bodies from our joints to our internal systems.  Improve your general well-being by drinking more water every day.

Waiting till you feel thirsty is too late.  It pays to drink water throughout the day and avoid getting thirsty.  For me, eight glasses a day is the minimum.

Hope you find this helpful.
Be well.

 

 

Tony Cutting

Personal Coach.
M.+64 21 911 722
Web. tonycutting.com

Special Thanks to Kimba, Dr Matt Shelton and the rest of the team at the Diabetes Clinic for helping me to better understand why I need to take drinking water much more seriously.