The importance of Water & Benefits it Has on The Body

All plants and animals need water to survive. There can be no life on earth without water. Why is water so important? Because 60 percent of our body weight is made up of water. Our bodies use water in all the cells, organs, and tissues, to help regulate body temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Because our bodies lose water through breathing, sweating, and digestion, it's crucial to rehydrate and replace water by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water.

Let’s look at all the ways water impacts our lives…

Water helps by creating saliva

Water is the main component of saliva. It’s critical for breaking down solid food and keeping your mouth healthy. If you find your mouth is drier than usual, increase your water intake.

It regulates body temperature

Staying hydrated is critical to maintaining a normal body temperature. Our bodies lose water when we sweat, and in hot environments. Sweat keeps our bodies cool, but our body temperatures will go up if we don’t replenish the water we lose. That lack of water causes dehydration, which in turn causes levels of electrolytes and plasma to drop

Water aids cognitive functions

Proper hydration is crucial to staying in good cognitive shape. Research has shown that inadequate water intake can negatively impact our focus, alertness, and short-term memory

Water protects the tissues, spinal cord, and joints

Water helps lubricate and cushion our joints, spinal cord, and tissues. This helps us to be more physically active, and reduces the discomfort caused by conditions such as arthritis

It helps excrete the waste in our bodies through perspiration, urination, and defecation

Our bodies use water to sweat, urinate, and pass healthy bowel movements. We all need water to replenish fluids lost from sweating. We also need water in our systems to have healthy stools and avoid constipation. Drinking enough water helps our kidneys to work more efficiently therefore preventing kidney stones

Water maximises our physical performance

Drinking plenty of water while working out, taking part in sports or just being on the move, is essential. Keeping ourselves hydrated also affects our strength, power, and endurance

It helps to boost our energy levels

Drinking water helps to boost our metabolic rate. This boost has a positive impact on our energy levels. Drinking 500ml of water can boost the metabolic rate by 30 percent in both men and women, one study has found. Negative effects of exercising in the heat, without staying hydrated, can result in serious medical incidents. In fact, extreme dehydration can cause seizures, and sometimes, even death.

Water prevents overall dehydration

Dehydration is the result of the body being deprived of adequate water. And, since water is critical for the successful functioning of many bodily functions, dehydration can be very dangerous. Even leading to fatal consequences. Severe dehydration can lead to serious outcomes, including:

• swelling in the brain

• kidney failure

• seizures

Make sure to drink enough water to replace what’s lost through sweating, urination, and bowel movements, to avoid dehydration.

The importance of water.

It’s pretty obvious that having adequate water in your body is critical to nearly every part of it. Not only will maintaining your recommended daily intake help you to maintain your current state of good health, it could also improve it in the long run. The amount of water you need will depend on the environment and climate you live in, how physically active you are, and whether you are suffering from an illness, ailment or any other health problems.

Here are some ways to make sure that you drink enough water:

• Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go and refill it throughout the day - To help you stay hydrated, it’s a great practice to refill a reusable water bottle with water and take it with you wherever you go. Keep taking sips from it as and when you feel the need.

• Track your water intake - Make sure you consume the optimum amount every day, which is a minimum of half your body weight, in ounces/milligrams. You can track your water daily by purchasing a BPA free water tracker bottle and motivational ones to make it more fun.

• Drink water before, during, and after meals - Prior to eating anything, add water to your pre-meal routine to boost the amount of liquid you’re taking in each day. Consuming water during and after a meal helps liquify food, which allows your body to digest and absorb nutrients more easily.

• Eat more water-based foods – Include water rich vegetables like, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruits, zucchini, and spinach to add hydration to your diet without having to drink more water.

• Drink a glass of water within 10 minutes of getting out of bed - this will kick start your metabolism and purify your system. Simply set a glass of water on the nightstand before you go to sleep, so it is ready for you when you wake.

• Use an app to track your tap water intake - Keeping up with how many glasses of tap water you’ve finished can be easy (and fun) with the help of a free app. Download them to your phone to set daily reminders and alarms.

10 reason why water is important

1. Water is the most important liquid on earth

2. All plants and animals need water to live

3. We need clean drinking water to stay healthy

4. Water helps keep your temperature normal

5. Water helps to digest our food and get rid of wastes

6. We use water for bathing washing cooking and many other purposes

7. Farms need water to produce crops and livestock

8. Factories need water to make many products

9. Water is used in power plants that make electricity

10. Water plays an essential part in the beliefs and rituals of and cultures