Bodies of Water
I bet you didn’t know that your body is composed of 60% water? That’s a lot of water! Since your body is composed of mostly water, it’s clear that it is essential to life. Ensuring you take in enough water is important for your health, and a great way to quench your thirst. It is free after all!
Drink Up
Our bodies lose water by sweating, breathing and waste disposal. If you lose more water than you take in, you run into the risk of dehydration. For children and seniors, the risk of dehydration is higher – they need to drink a lot of fluids throughout the day.
5 reasons to drink more water:
- Prevents cramps and sprains – acts as a cushion and lubrication between cells, muscles and joints – hydration in the body transports carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients and oxygen to the cells of the body. The cells then produce energy for the body to function. Did you know that 70% of cartilage in joints is made of water? Or that 80% of blood volume is water.
- Helps get rid of waste – drinking water tells your body that you need to use the bathroom, and through urination, waste is flushed through the system. Consuming the right amount of water keeps things flowing and prevents constipation. Adequate water and fiber keeps things regular and makes sure your bowel functions properly.
- Helps break down food so that your body can absorb the nutrients – digestion starts with saliva, the basis of which is water. With proper digestion, minerals and nutrients are more accessible to the body. In addition, water is necessary to help you digest fiber, which affects your bowel movements.
- Improves mood and concentration – a 1% change in hydration levels impairs mood and concentration, while a 2% fluid loss (ex: 3lbs in a 150lb person) can cause impaired thinking.
- Promotes weight loss – how much water you drink plays a huge role in determining weight loss success. Water powers your workouts, increases your metabolism, helps you heed your hunger cues, boosts energy, and keeps you from drinking things you shouldn’t.
Are You Getting Enough H2O
Water is the best thing you can put in your body, yet so many of us ignore it throughout the day, and don’t give it a second thought. With a few simple tips, you can trick yourself into developing a healthy habit of drinking water, and lots of it, every day.
Tips to drink more water:
- Keep a pitcher of water on the table during meals.
- Freeze water in freezer-safe bottles and take it on the go.
- Find a cute water bottle and bring it with you to work, school or when you’re running errands.
- When eating out, say yes when water is offered. Or, if you want a soda, have some water first, and then if you’re still craving it, go for it.
- To mix it up, infuse lemon, lime, orange, mint or cucumber into your water.
Every cell and everybody needs water. We need water to survive, but drinking just enough water to get by isn’t ideal either. When you’re properly hydrated, you can digest your food easier, sleep better, and think more clearly. It might take some time, but learning to love the taste of water is the first step to a healthier lifestyle.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Heather
Bkin, DC, Acupuncture Provider