Water is the most basic necessity of life, and we need it to survive and thrive. But we don’t always pay enough attention to our water intake. We tend to think that water is free, but it isn’t — it costs money, energy, and resources to produce, transport, and distribute this precious liquid. Most of our water supply comes from the atmosphere, but some come from groundwater.
From a health perspective, drinking too much water leads to overhydration which can cause kidney stones (and other problems), while drinking too little may lead to dehydration — another problem that can compromise your health.
1. Helps Maintain a Healthy Body Weight and Metabolism
It makes up roughly 60% of our body weight and is necessary to function all organs and tissues properly. It’s also essential for maintaining a healthy body weight, as it helps burn calories and maintain a healthy metabolism. Water is vital for brain function, digestion, athletic performance, and much more.
2. Prevents Health Issues
Not getting enough water can lead to serious health issues like fatigue. In addition, dehydration contributes to muscle cramps, headaches, irritability, and even compromised immunity. Some studies suggest that drinking sufficient water may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. If you’re playing sports or exercising regularly, make sure you drink at least two liters of water daily! Also, the more water you drink, the less you experience constipation or diarrhea.
3. Detoxification
Water helps flush toxins out of your body through your kidneys and bladder, allowing them to be eliminated without causing discomfort or harm to your body. If you’re not getting enough water each day, your kidneys will have more work than they can handle and may begin to fail sooner than they normally would have done (this is called “kidney failure”). This can lead to many health issues like kidney stones, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus (Type 2 diabetes), and sexual dysfunction in men.
4. Lubricates Joints
Joints can become stiff or painful after prolonged periods of sitting or standing without moving around, especially during cold weather conditions. Water is a natural lubricant, and if you’re dehydrated, your muscles will be less able to move freely. It lubricates joints, so they don’t get too stiff or painful when you’re active again! The water in your joints also helps protect them from injury.
5. Regulates Body Temperature
It’s the main component of blood, muscles, and tissue and helps regulate body temperature by helping to control the temperature of your core (which includes your brain) when you’re active and cool when you’re resting. Dehydration can affect your body’s temperature. When you’re adequately hydrated, your body temperature stays healthy. If you don’t drink enough water, you may become overheated or chilled more easily when the weather gets warmer or colder and experience heat cramps or fainting spells due to low blood volume.
6. Boosts Skin Health and Beauty
Drinking water helps skin retain moisture, combat dryness, and prevent wrinkles. Water also helps keep the skin plump and hydrated, preventing blemishes and other signs of aging.