The Wonders of Water

We often talk about the importance of drinking water to keep our bodies hydrated, but water is important for the body on many levels. Let’s look at the benefits of drinking water, from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.

Tip 1:  Enhanced Mental Clarity

As the brain is made up of approximately 85% water, having even a mild dehydration of 1-3% has been found to impair brain function. Having a glass of water each hour throughout the day brings sharper focus and heightened concentration. If you have not drank enough water, you may start to feel brain fog, decreased ability to concentrate, and increased desire to sleep.

Tip 2: Improved Mood

As our brain functions, it works to clear out unwanted toxins and dead cells. If we are dehydrated, and there is less water circulating in the body and brain, our brain will work to conserve resources, causing in increased feeling of sluggishness and decreased mood. Taking small sips of water throughout the day works to maintain the appropriate balance and keeps your mind sharp and mood fresh. This increased hydration boosts our feel-good hormones and endorphins, while lowering the built up stress hormones.

Tip 3: Fewer Headaches

How often have you gone all day without drinking any water, only to find yourself with a pounding headache? Research has found that one of the most common reasons for headaches is dehydration. So the next time you feel a dull headache coming on, before jumping to medications, drink a glass of water.

Tip 4: Healthy Clear Skin

The best thing that you can do for your skin is to stay well hydrated. Water moisturizes the skin from the inside out, preventing premature aging and dullness in the skin, while boosting collagen production.  Water also works to decrease toxin-induced blemishes, enhances a healthier glow.

Tip 5: Decreases Fatigue and Boosts Energy   

If we don’t drink enough water throughout the day, the amount of circulating blood volume in our body will decrease. This causes the heart to work harder to pump oxygenation blood throughout our system, and our brain to receive less oxygen. Our body organs will not be functioning optimally, and the body begins to feel tired and run down. Adequate hydration allows for the body’s metabolism to operate efficiently, boosting energy production and decreasing feelings of fatigue.

Tip 6: Improved Digestion 

When we eat food, our digestion process begins in the mouth. Saliva is key to this digestion process and its main component is water. As saliva includes small amounts of electrolytes, mucus and enzymes, it is essential in the breakdown of solid foods. Having adequate water intake is necessary in order to keep our saliva flowing at its top production levels. Water additionally helps with the digestion as it changes the consistency of food and stomach contents.

Tip 7:  Can Assist with Weight Loss  

Staying well hydrated keeps the body’s metabolism level staying boosted, so the number of calories burned throughout the day increases.  Drinking water throughout the day brings an increased feeling of satiety, or decreased appetite, and the need to consume increased calories decreased.

Tip 8: Protects Your Joints and Tissues    

Water helps to keep all the joints and tissues of the body well lubricated. The synovial fluid that directly lubricates your joints is made up of primarily water. This fluid reduces the friction between joints and helps to maintain healthy tissues and joints. 70-80% of joint cartilage consists of water. When well hydrated the gel-like liquid provides nutrition, shock absorption, lubrication and cushioning. Less lubrication leads to increased joint pain.

Tip 9: Can Prevent Kidney Stones

Drinking enough water throughout the day assists our kidneys to operate at their top efficiency. As the kidney’s main role in the body is to help flush out toxins, it is crucial that they stay well hydrated. When there is not enough hydration in the kidneys, stone-causing minerals can settle in the kidney causing one to have painful kidney stones, and decreased urination. Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that form inside your kidneys, causing severe pain when they pass through the urinary tract. Best way to prevent them is to stay well hydrated. When there is not adequate hydration, urine is more concentrated and less likely to dissolve the stones.

Tip 10: Get Those Bowels Moving

Constipation is a common health problem that many people experience. When your body does not have adequate hydration, the colon in the body will pull out water from the stools to keep hydrated. This makes for harder stools, with fewer bowel movements. Keeping well hydrated allows your stools to stay softer, pass more easily and more frequently, improving the health of your intestinal tract. Having regular bowel movements is key to overall health and wellness.

With so many different options to choose from, it may be challenging to know how to start or which path to take. I would love to connect with you to optimize your healthy eating and assist you with your health goals and wellness. I believe in optimal wellness and vitality and are dedicated to helping you look and feel your best. I believe that it is never too early, or too late, to work towards being the healthiest you.