Drinking Water Health Benefits : 15 health benefits of drinking water

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Water Constituents in the Human Body

Do you know that your body accounts for 60% of water? Water is a major constituent of various body parts and is present in the following amounts:

Brain and heart – 73% water.
Lungs – 83% water.
Skin – 64% water.
Muscles and kidneys – 79% water.
Bones – 31% water.

It has been found that humans are capable of surviving without food for a reasonable amount of time but can barely survive without water for only 2 days. Water has been referred to as the “elixir of life” as it is the cornerstone that allows human existence and survival.

15 health benefits of drinking water

To function properly, all the cells and organs of the body needs water. Water is extremely pivotal or pertinent to human health. Here are manifold reasons why water is pivotal to us humans.

Drinking water lubricates the joints.
Drinking water forms saliva and mucus.
Drinking water helps in the transport of oxygen.
Drinking water boosts skin health and beauty.
Water has a major effect on brain function, spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
Drinking water helps regulates body temperature.
Water aids Digestion.
Drinking water prevents kidney damage.
Water aids the respiratory tract.
Water aids in the maintenance of blood pressure.
Water maintains homeostasis.
Drinking water helps control calories.
Drinking water keeps the muscles Energizes.
Drinking water prevents constipation.
Water helps prevent headaches and migraines.

Brief explanation below.

Drinking water lubricates the joints

Cartilage found in joints and the disks of the spine contains around 80% water. Long term dehydration can reduce the joint’s shock-absorbing ability which leads to joint pain. water is necessary to help prevent joint friction. Synovial fluid lubricates and cushions the joints and cartilage surrounding them, keeping bones from rubbing together.

Drinking water forms saliva and mucus

Saliva helps us digest our food and keep our mouth, nose and eyes moist. This prevents friction and damage. Drinking water also keeps the mouth clean. Consumption of water instead of sweetened beverages can reduce tooth decay.

Drinking water helps in the transport of oxygen

It delivers oxygen throughout the body. Blood consists of more than 90% water and blood carry oxygen to different parts of the body.

Drinking water boosts skin health and beauty

With proper dehydration, the skin can become more vulnerable to skin disorder and premature wrinkling. Your skin contains plenty of water and functions as a protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. Hydration improves dry and wrinkled skin.

must read: How to Recognize Different Skin Types and Condition

Water has a major effect on brain function, spinal cord and other sensitive tissues

Adequate water intake helps cushion the brain, spinal cord and other sensitive tissues. Dehydration can affect brain structure and function because your brain is strongly influenced by your hydration status. It is also involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Prolong dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning as well as a loss of memory. Studies show that even mild dehydration (1-3% of body weight) can impair many aspects of brain function.

Drinking water helps regulates body temperature

Our body uses water in all its cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate its temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Because our body loses water through breathing, sweating, and digestion, it’s important to rehydrate by drinking fluids and eating foods that contain water. Water that is stored in the middle layers of the skin comes to the skin surface as sweat when the body heats up. As it evaporates, it cools the body. In sports, it is said that when there is a water shortage in the body during sporting activities, the individual is made vulnerable to heat strain but having enough water in the body reduces the risk of heat strain.

Water aids Digestion

There’s no concern that water will dilute the digestive juices or interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal actually aids digestion. Water and other liquids help break down food so that your body can absorb the nutrient. So, it is advisable for every human to drink at least 1 or 2 glasses of water after every meal.

Drinking water prevents kidney damage

Water also acts as a prophylactic measure for kidney damage. Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate. The kidney regulates fluid in the body and water is a fluid. So insufficiency of water leads to kidney damage.

Water aids the respiratory tract

The airways of humans need it. When dehydrated, the airways are restricted by the body in an effort to minimize water loss, this can make asthma and allergies worse. Drinking-Water helps you Breathe Easier. It helps to thin the mucus lining your airways and lungs. Dehydration can cause that mucus to thicken and get sticky, which slows down overall respiration and makes you more susceptible to illness, allergies and other respiratory problems.

Water aids in the maintenance of blood pressure

Lack of water can cause human blood to become thicker, increasing blood pressure. Water intake affects blood pressure in two ways. First, when you don’t drink enough water your body attempts to secure its fluid supply by retaining sodium. Sodium is your body’s “water-insurance mechanism.” … So, one of the best ways to lower your blood pressure naturally is by staying well-hydrated.

Water maintains homeostasis

Homeostasis requires that water intake and output be balanced. The kidneys can adjust the concentration of the urine to reflect the body’s water needs, conserving water if the body is dehydrated or making urine more dilute to expel excess water when necessary. Your brain communicates with your kidneys and tells it how much water to excrete as urine or hold onto for reserves through the posterior pituitary gland. When you’re low on fluids, the brain triggers the body’s thirst mechanism. Naturally, you are meant to comply with those cues and get water in order to balance your body’s fluids.

Drinking water helps control calories

Research has shown that drinking lots of water have been added as one of the major points in dieting. Its seen as a strategy that enables one substitute water which is very vital to the body in place of high-calorie beverages and all sort of coloured drinks that we find ourselves taking in between meals. Food with high water content tends to look larger, its higher volume requires more chewing, and it is absorbed more slowly by the body, which helps you feel full.

must read: Diabetes Mellitus Classification

Drinking water keeps the muscles Energizes

Adequate water intake has a way of keeping us energized all through the day. When cells don’t maintain the fluids and electrolyte balance, it can lead to constant muscle fatigue. Hence, the importance of water to the muscle. People who exercise are advised to drink water more often than not and at regular intervals. It helps boost performance during strenuous activity. If we do not stay hydrated, physical performance could suffer.

Drinking water prevents constipation

Adequate Water intake also prevents constipation by maintaining normal bowel movement which aids things flowing along your Gastrointestinal tract and also preventing the Colon from pulling water from stools which in turn result in constipation.

Water helps prevent headaches and migraines

You often find yourself easily feeling headache when you are dehydrated. Dehydration can trigger headaches and migraines in some individuals depending on the type. Drinking water can sometimes help relieve headache symptoms, especially in people who are dehydrated. Staying hydrated helps you become more alert, composed, and focused, ultimately improving your productivity.

Health fact: humans can only survive 3 to 4 days without water.

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