Water is a vital part in the quest to remain healthy. But how can something colorless, odorless, tasteless be considered healthy for you?
Liquid Life
The human body is made up mostly of water, around 70 percent actually. Drinking enough water regularly helps maintain your body’s fluid balance. The body fluid helps transport nutrients, digest food and regulate body temperature. Yes, your blood has water as well. More than half of your blood is made up of plasma. And over 90 percent of plasma is made of water.
Your kidneys, which clean your body, needs enough fluids so it can function properly. Any excess or fluid which the body identifies as waste is then transported to the bladder as urine.
How much water should you drink?
There seems to be a general rule that a person should drink eight glasses of water a day. However, there are certain factors that should be considered when taking account of what should be your daily water intake. For men and women who are sedentary and live in temperate climates, it should be 3.7 liters and 2.7 liters, respectively. This includes other liquid sources ingested by the person like coffee, soda, milk, or even from foods like watermelons. On the safe side, to monitor your water intake, have a drinking bottle which shows the volume, like the ones used by people who engage in sports.
Of course, if you are more active and if the weather is hotter, you should drink more. Because you are losing fluids from all the sweat. You may drink from five to six or more liters of water in this kind of situation. In general, you should gauge your water intake based on such factors and your level of comfort. However, be advised that you should drink water so you won’t be dehydrated. Do not wait to drink until you feel dehydrated.
Water Tricks
Here are certain tricks you may want to try to maximize the positive effects of drinking water:
Drink a glass of water immediately after you wake up. Since your body has been stagnant during sleep and is most likely dehydrated, the water ‘jumpstarts’ your bodily processes.
Drink a glass of water before meals. You will feel fuller and won’t get the urge to overeat. A simple diet trick.
Not sure if you’re hungry or thirsty? Drink water first. Sometimes dehydration is confused as hunger.
Water down a hangover. Too much alcohol can dehydrate you, which is one of the reasons hangovers really screws up your body.
Have better more elastic skin. Hydrated cells make your skin look better.
