Drinking water is a strange topic – we know we have to do it, and media and schooling tells us we should to, but it's not something we think about. When we get hungry, your stomach hurts and we react – but when we're thirsty, we hesitate on action a bit longer. Ironic then, since we could live days without food, but not so much without water!
In many cultures it is popular to drink plenty of water before breakfast in the morning – there are a wealth of health benefits to this end, that some of us here at home haven't quite caught onto yet. Staying hydrated is quintessential to living a long and healthy life. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why.
Reduce hunger pains
Drinking water either in excess or in moderation are both ways of dealing with hunger cravings – water is an appetite suppressant. If you drink a glass or two of water in the morning before you have breakfast you will fill up your stomach and have less of an urge to eat everything in your fridge. Likewise, if you stay full of water throughout the day, you will not need to eat as much, and it will regulate your snacking habits so that you only have to eat at appropriate meal times.
Rid the body of toxins
Ever heard of a juice detox or a water diet? All food we eat, whether you're a carnivore, herbivore, or somewhere in between, contain a wealth of toxins and natural chemicals our body has to process, regardless of how clean it is. Simply put, if you put something in your body, your body has to figure out what to do with it.
Water, however, is basically a pure ingredient and a major part of our body as it is. If you are drinking only water, your body has time to clear itself out of all the toxins involved in daily life, and restart on a fresh foot. The more water you drink day to day replaces the potential ratios of toxins to water and leaves you better off.
Rehydrate yourself
If you are prone to headaches or fatigue, have you ever considered that you may have a lack of water? In our busy life it's certainly not something we regularly think about – drinking as much water as possible. But keeping a small bottle or glass handy is a great way to keep yourself healthy throughout the day. Water deprivation is the leading cause of headaches (our brains are mostly water) and sometimes all it takes is a few sips to make it go away. So if you find yourself working at a computer getting eyesore, consider keeping water nearby to balance out the toll your body is taking.
Rejuvenate your skin
Water is also a main component of our skin, and dry flakey skin is a direct result of dehydration. Next time you notice a bit of dry skin on your arm or around your face, keep a mental note to drink water whenever you can throughout the day. The next day, the shedding will be gone and water will be restored to your epidermis. Keep drinking plenty of water to have soft skin year round, especially during the winter, when we still get dehydrated, but don't feel it as prominently.
Heal your hair
Our hair follows the same pattern as our skin – hair is really sort of just dead skin, an excess of body growth; and it still contains just as much water as it did when it was alive. You need to keep the water upkeep in order to have fresh, silky, shiny hair. If you're seeing a lot of split ends when you shouldn't be, you probably aren't getting enough water in your diet. Water will help circulate the natural oils through to the ends of your hair better so that it maintains it's integrity longer.
Balance your metabolism
You would think that drinking a lot of water might cause you to bloat and look fat. The truth is, the more dehydrated you are, the more you bloat! If you don't drink enough water, your stomach acids naturally expand to find oils and oxygen to regulate your innards. Water keep the balance in your body present. Try it and find out. Likewise, having a proper balance of water will keep your metabolism as balanced as it can be. If you're having too much water you won't eat properly and when you do your body won't process it in a natural fashion; if you're not getting enough water, the same will occur.
Increased energy
Let's face it – our body is mostly water. You need to keep it well oiled and refuelled so you can function at your maximum capacity. Drinking water reverses the effects of sweating, heals your brain when it's dehydrated, and overall gives you an increased pique in active awareness and motor functioning. We need it to see and think clearly, and without it we're just not doing our best. So drink up, and reap the benefits.
Some Amazing Comments
Comments
