Did you know that the average American uses eighty-two gallons of water per day? Sadly, despite this high number many people aren’t drinking the water they use. They just shower with it or water their lawns.
The reality is that many people are unfamiliar with the importance of hydration. That’s why we made this article.
In it, we’ll go over some of the reasons why everyone should prioritize hydration in their lives. Let’s get started!
Reason #1: It Can Improve Your Physical Performance
There’s a reason why sports coaches often stress hydration. If you aren’t properly hydrated, you aren’t performing at your peak physical performance.
When we exercise intensely, we lost a lot of water through sweat. Most of the time, you can lose between 6% to 8% of your body’s water weight through intense activity.
But, it only takes losing 2% of this weight to feel a noticeable effect. By staying properly hydrating you prevent this from happening.
What’s more, you reduce the amount of oxidative stress that comes with intense physical activity. All of this translates to better athletic performance. That’s one of the main benefits of drinking water.
Reason #2: It Helps With Energy Levels
Are you feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day? Maybe you experience frequent cases of brain fog. If any of these sound familiar, you might be dehydrated.
Mild dehydration can affect our mood, alertness, and concentration levels. What’s more, it reduces our ability to remember important information.
If you’re a student or work a job that requires you to remember important details, this can be detrimental to your position.
Reason #3: It Can Help With Headaches
Everyone gets headaches for different reasons. Sometimes it’s related to stress or another condition. However, most of the time it comes from dehydration.
The good news is that many individuals find that their headaches go away when they drink water. So, if you experience headaches frequently, try drinking a lot of water each day. They might be able to make them go away.
Reason #4: It Relieves Constipation
If you have trouble passing stool, the first thing you should look at is your hydration levels. Proper fluid is vital for digestion. And, without it, many people experience frequent cases of constipation.
Hydration should be the first step. But, if nothing changes you might want to consider switching to mineral water.
The magnesium and sodium found in this type of water can greatly improve the frequency of your bowel movements.
Reason #5: It Could Help Get Rid of Kidney Stones
Anyone who’s suffered a kidney stone knows they need to be avoided at all costs. These are buildups of mineral crystals that occur in the urinary system. Passing them is painful, especially when they’re larger.
If you already had kidney stones, drinking water might not help. But, there is some evidence to suggest that they can prevent them from happening.
When you increase the volume of water that passes through your kidneys, you dilute the concentration of minerals in your urine. And, lower concentrations mean crystals are less likely to form.
Reason #6: It Might Help With Weight Loss
When properly hydrated our body’s metabolic rates rise. That means that you burn off more calories daily.
Drinking water can also help people feel more full. This leads to lower rates of overeating. Try and drink water at least half an hour before you eat to optimize this effect.
Should You Drink Distilled Water or Filtered?
Everyone was likely familiar with the distilled water shortage that happened at the start of the pandemic. When the supply chain was strained huge amounts of grocery stores experienced water shortages.
But, exactly how important is it to drink distilled water? The truth is that it’s not essential for the average person. Most people can get by drinking good old-fashioned filtered water.
Distilled water is mainly for professionals like laboratories, dentists, and organic product manufacturers. It’s also needed for people who use CPAP machines at night to sleep.
Sadly, not all people have access to clean drinking water. If you fall in this category, it might be worth it to invest in distilled water. It will be a little more expensive. But, it will guarantee that your water is free of things like:
- Parasites
- Bacteria
- Heavy metals
- Chemicals
- Poisons
- Viruses
- Radiation
If you live in areas like Flint, Michigan that have polluted water tables, you might want to consider drinking distilled water instead.
Can You Be Overhydrated?
There is a lot of concern out there about being dehydrated. This causes people to chug water throughout the day. However, is it possible to be overhydrated? The answer is yes.
If you’re drinking too much water while working out, your body will store it away for later usage. Too much can lead to vomiting and headaches. So, exactly how much water should you drink?
Sadly, there’s no one set answer. Some people think you should drink eight glasses of eight-ounce water per day. But, there’s little evidence to suggest that this is the amount that the average person needs.
Instead, try listening to your body. This might sound silly but think about the last time you were thirsty. You likely craved water and little else. We are remarkably good at telling us when something is wrong.
That’s how our bodies stay hydrated. And, if you are dehydrated, you’ll likely know. So, if something feels off, or you are thirsty, drink some water.
Enjoy Learning About the Importance of Hydration
We hope this article helped you learn more about the importance of hydration. Remember that hydration shouldn’t involve force-feeding yourself water.
But, you should remember to drink it each day and learn to listen to your body when it’s craving water.
There are hundreds more great health and wellness articles that you can check out by continuing to explore our site.
