Water is the most critical thing our bodies need. As many of us resolve in the new year to make changes that lead to better health, consider putting “drink more water” on your list. Staying hydrated makes your body happy in myriad ways.
Here are five things you didn’t know about drinking more water.
- Water can help you lose weight. If weight loss is your goal this year, drink more water. Water can boost your metabolism, help suppress your appetite, and staying hydrated will make it easier to exercise. Often people feel hungry when they are, in fact, merely thirsty. Water is a zero-calorie beverage, so drink up, especially before meals. Water is also necessary for your body to burn fat.
- Water can stop your headaches and clear your fog. If you’re feeling sluggish throughout the day, you might be dehydrated. Our bodies are 60 percent water, and we need enough of it to function well. Dehydration will cause headaches and slow you down. Feeling cranky? Irritability is one of the first signs of dehydration. Water has a significant impact on your energy throughout the day as well.
- Water keeps you regular. If things are not happening daily for you, drink more water. Water is necessary for your body to process food from start to finish. If constipation is a problem, your JCMC doctor will talk about fibrous foods, but he or she will also encourage more water.
- Water helps your skin glow. Most of us want to prevent wrinkles. Water can help your body do that, giving it a critical tool to produce new and elastic skin cells.
- Water improves blood pressure. If you have health problems, water may be part of the answer. Water helps your body normalize blood pressure. Some reports indicate it may help prevent repeat kidney stones as well.
How Much Should I Drink?
Eight glasses per day is an old myth. Health experts agree that how much water you need is like most anything: it varies by person. Our bodies are all slightly different. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) encourages 11 cups (91 ounces) per day for women and 15.5 cups (125 ounces) for men. However, other experts say four to six cups a day is sufficient. You could start there and work on increasing your intake. You’ll know if you’re not consuming enough liquid if your urine is a dark yellow.
How to Drink More Water
Water is in many other beverages we consume; it’s OK to think of your coffee or tea as part of your liquid intake, for example. Water is also inside some of the foods we eat.
However, if you’re aiming for a set goal, the easiest way to drink more water is to buy a reusable water bottle and fill it. Note how many ounces it holds, and try to drink one, two, or three containers of it per day based on your goals. If you work at a desk, keep it next to you. Grab it every few minutes and take a sip. Carry it around with you as you drive, attend meetings, go to the park, whatever. You’ll find yourself reaching for it more and more. Soon, drinking more water will feel easy!
Tap Water vs. Bottled Water
People often buy bottled water because they think it is cleaner or safer. The truth about bottled water is that it’s subject to less scrutiny and fewer tests than your tap water. You can check the quality of your local tap water using this site.
Bottled water comes from the same sources as your tap; companies work with local governments to bottle it at the same lakes. Yet you’re paying far more for bottled. Plus, you’re now creating more plastic waste by purchasing those bottles.
While taste is often cited as a reason to buy bottled water, most people cannot tell the difference in blind taste tests. Further, you can use an additional charcoal-activated filter on your water either through your refrigerator or a standalone pitcher. If you have questions about dehydration or any other health concerns, reach out to your JCMC doctor today.
