While prioritizing health, water intake isn’t seriously considered for lack of awareness on how crucial water is for the body to function properly at various levels.
From maintaining optimal body temperature to supporting organ function to moisture balance to elimination of toxins and waste, the importance of water is both ubiquitous and unique.
The blog explores how, especially during summertime, water intake if of critical precedence to avert health issues due to dehydration, and lack of fluid restriction for those with impaired kidney function.
Let’s jump right in!
The 8-by-8 rule: Drink 8 glass of water per day, each glass measuring 8 ounces (or 237 ml)—that’s nearly 2 litres of water a day.
- Lack of Water affects Physical Performance
Muscle is about 80% water.
Given that you already lose 6–10% of your water weight via sweat while exercising, your physical performance can be significantly impaired even if you lose as little as 2% of your body’s water content.
Altered body temperature control, reduced motivation, and increased physical and mental fatigue, are further problems caused by dehydration. So, drink up, particularly during intense exercise or high heat.
- Lack of Water affects Brain Function & Wellness
Fluid loss of even 1-3% “mild dehydration” results in:
- Impaired energy levels, mood, and concentration
- Major reduction in memory and brain performance
- Increased feelings of anxiety and fatigue
- Increased frequency of headaches
- Water Intake Influences Constipation
Drinking mineral water rich in magnesium and sodium improves bowel movement frequency and consistency in those with difficulty in passing stools and relieves constipation.
- Water Intake reduces likeliness of kidney stone formation
As water intake increases, the volume of urine passing through the kidneys also increases, which dilutes the concentration of minerals so they’re less likely to crystallize and form clumps.
- Water Intake Promotes Weight Loss
- Drinking plenty of water increases satiety which delays hunger and reduces calorie intake
- Boosts metabolic rate and increases the number of calories you burn daily
- Drinking water 30 minutes before eating a meal reduces craving and encourages portion control