Hydration is important to health – EVEN IN THE WINTER! We seem to forget that we need to drink water in the winter, air from furnaces often dehydrate us without us realizing.
10 Reasons Hydration is Important
- Improved brain performance
Even mild dehydration—as little as 2% fluid loss—can affect memory, mood, concentration, and reaction time. - Digestive harmony
Your body needs water in order to digest food properly. Without enough, you may experience irregular bowel movements, gas, bloating, heartburn, and other discomforts that can hurt your quality of life. - More energy
Dehydration can slow down circulation and affect the flow of oxygen to your brain. A lack of fluids can also cause your heart to work harder to pump oxygen all throughout your body. - Weight loss and weight management
Since it provides a sense of fullness, water can help you feel satisfied in between meals—instead of heading to the snack cupboard. It can also help boost your metabolism. - Decreased joint pain
Staying hydrated helps your joints stay well-lubricated, which helps reduce friction by creating more of a “cushion” between the bones. Less friction means smoother-moving joints and fewer aches and pains. - Better temperature regulation
Hydrating with plenty of water helps you produce sweat when you’re overheated during activity, which in turn cools your body down. - Kidney stone prevention
Staying hydrated with plenty of water can help dilute the concentration of minerals in your urinary tract and make stones less likely. Water also helps flush harmful bacteria from your bladder and can aid in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). - Healthier heart
Your blood is made up largely of H2O. When you don’t drink enough glasses of water, it becomes concentrated, which can cause an imbalance of vital minerals (electrolytes). These minerals, like potassium and sodium, are key to the proper functioning of your heart. - Improved detoxification
Sufficient water intake supports your body’s natural detoxification systems, which remove waste and harmful substances through urination, breathing, perspiration, and bowel movements. - Fewer headaches
Even a mild fluid loss can cause the brain to contract away from the skull, leading to headaches and migraines in some people. Staying hydrated may help keep head pain in check.
*adapted from the National Council on Aging
Also, your skin will start to glow, or at least be a little less flaky and itchy!
Happy hydrating –
Kate M-C