Why You Need To Drink More Water

It may be difficult to believe that over half (yes, half!) of our body is made up of water, but it is. Around 60% of our bodies are made up of water – proof that water consumption is very important.

Drinking enough water helps your organs function properly and has a ton of health benefits. Here are just a few of them.

Weight loss

Choosing water over sugary drinks, like juice and soda, helps to quench your thirst without the added sugar and calories. Water also helps your body get rid of toxins and ‘flush out your system’.

Increased metabolism and reduced appetite

Studies have shown that drinking 500 mL (17 ounces) of water can temporarily boost your metabolism by 24-30%. Opt for cold water as it helps keeps you fuller for longer because your body has to warm the water up before it can process it.

– RELATED: 4 Ways Water Can Help You Lose Weight –

Increased energy and improved brain function

Some studies have shown that as little as 1-1.5% fluid loss during exercise can negatively affect mood and concentration in women. This fluid loss can also cause an increase in headaches. Especially when exercising or sweating a lot, it’s important to rehydrate your body to keep your energy and brain function in peak working order.

Clear skin

Water helps keep your skin’s elasticity and moisture, so you’ll be less likely to develop wrinkles and dry skin.

Decreases constipation

This can be a very common problem, but making sure you have a high enough water intake can help your body move things along and help you have more regular bowel movements.

Decreases risk of kidney stones

Making sure your body is hydrated will help your kidneys function properly and can decrease your risk for kidney stones. Your kidneys are the filtering system in your body, that help you get rid of excess fluids and waste. So, if you aren’t drinking enough water to help this process, your kidneys won’t function properly.

– RELATED: This Is How Much Water You Should Be Drinking –

How much water is enough?

With all health and fitness, the amount varies from person to person and your water consumption needs to be based on you. You’re weight and activity level determine how much water your body needs. The more you weigh, the more water you need. The more you sweat, the more water you need.

A good rule of thumb is to aim to drink up to one gallon (128 ounces) of water per day. This may seem like a lot, but there are many ways to get your water in. If you aren’t already drinking this much water per day, work your way up to it. Drink a half a gallon for a few days, then increase to 2/3 gallon, and so forth until you reach a gallon per day.

You can also add some flavor such as fresh fruits, mint, and lemon to help you increase your water intake. You can also drink unsweetened tea.

Another option is to buy a container that measures how much water you are drinking to help you stay on track. Buy a 32-ounce water bottle, then you know you need to drink 4 bottles per day to reach your goal of one gallon.

Happy drinking!

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