Benefits of Drinking Water

Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, a condition that can cause unclear thinking, result in mood change, cause your body to overheat, and lead to constipation and kidney stones. Your body is about 70% water, and drinking enough of it is vital for optimal health.

Water plays many roles in your body, including maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure, lubricating joints, regulating body temperature, and promoting cell health .While everyone knows that it’s important to stay hydrated, doing so can be difficult at times.

Water helps your body:

• Keep a normal temperature.
• Lubricate and cushion joints.
• Protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
• Get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.

Your body needs more water when you are:

• In hot climates.
• More physically active.
• Running a fever.
• Having diarrhea or vomiting.

Most of your fluid needs are met through the water and beverages you drink. You can get some fluids through the foods that you eat – especially foods with high water content, such as many fruits and vegetables.

12 Simple Ways to Drink More Water

1. Understand your fluid needs

Before you decide to drink more water, you have to understand your body’s fluid needs. A common recommendation for daily water intake is 64 ounces (1,920 ml), or 8 cups, but this is not based on science.

The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) recommends that men consume 125 ounces (3,700 ml) and women about 90 ounces (2,700 ml) of fluid per day, including the fluid from water, other drinks, and foods.

For most, simply drinking to quench your thirst will ensure you meet your fluid needs. Yet, you may need more fluid if you exercise regularly, work outside, or live in a hot climate.

2. Set a daily goal

Setting a daily water intake goal can help you drink more water.

To be effective, goals should be SMART, which is an acronym for the following criteria.

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Time-bound

For example, one SMART water-consumption goal might be to drink 32 ounces (960 ml) of water per day.

3. Keep a reusable water bottle with you

Keeping a water bottle with you throughout the day can help you drink more water.

Keeping a water bottle handy can also serve as a visual reminder to drink more water. If you see the bottle on your desk or table, you will constantly be reminded to drink more.

Plus, it’s better for the environment than relying on single-use plastic water bottles.

4. Set reminders

You can also set reminders to drink more water using an app or the alarm on your smartphone or smartwatch.

For example, try setting a reminder to take a few sips of water every 30 minutes, or set a reminder to finish drinking your current glass of water and refill it every hour.

5. Replace other drinks with water

One way to drink more water — and boost your health and reduce your calorie intake — is to replace other drinks, such as soda and sports drinks, with water.

For optimal health, limit your added sugar intake to less than 5% of your calorie intake. Just one 8-ounce (240 ml) cup of soda per day can exceed this limit.

Diets high in added sugars have been linked to obesity and other conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Furthermore, replacing these sugary drinks with water is an easy and cheap way to cut calories, potentially helping you lose weight.

6. Drink one glass of water before each meal

Another simple way to increase your water intake is to make a habit of drinking one glass of water before each meal.

If you eat 3 meals per day, this adds an extra 3 cups (720 ml) to your daily water intake.

Sometimes your body may mistake feelings of thirst for hunger. Drinking a glass of water before eating can help you discern whether you are feeling true hunger.

7. Get a water filter

There is a filter for almost every budget, from costly whole-home water filtration systems to inexpensive water-filtering pitchers.

Point-of-use water filters, such as water-filtering pitchers or filters that attach directly to a faucet, can reduce levels of waterborne bacteria, lead, and arsenic in contaminated tap water to safe levels.

Using a water filter is also less expensive and more eco-friendly than purchasing bottled water, which is oftentimes no different than tap water.

8. Flavor your water

If you dislike the flavor of water, or just need a bit of flavor to help you drink more, you have many choices.

Using an inexpensive fruit-infuser water bottle is one healthy option.

Popular fruit combinations to use in an infuser bottle are cucumber-lime, lemon, and strawberry-kiwi. Although, you can use any combination of fruits that suits your taste.

9. Drink one glass of water per hour at work

If you work a standard 8-hour workday, drinking a glass of water each hour you’re at work adds up to 8 cups (1,920 ml) to your daily water intake.

Fill up your cup as soon as you get to work, and at the top of every hour, simply drink the remaining water and refill.

This method will keep your water intake consistent throughout your workday.

10. Sip throughout the day

Sipping on water consistently throughout the day is another easy way to help you meet your fluid goals.

Reaching for a sip of water consistently during your day will keep your mouth from getting dry and may even help keep your breath fresher .

Keep a glass of water or a reusable bottle nearby and within your line of sight for a constant visual reminder to take a sip.

11. Eat more foods high in water

One simple way to get more water is to eat more foods that are high in water.

Fruits and vegetables that are particularly high in water include.

• Lettuce: 96% water
• Celery: 95% water
• Zucchini: 95% water
• Cabbage: 92% water
• Watermelon: 91% water
• Cantaloupe: 90% water
• Honeydew melon: 90% water

In addition to their high fluid content, these fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote your overall health.

12. Drink one glass of water when you wake up and before bed

An easy way to boost your water intake is to simply drink one glass when you wake up and another before you go to bed.

A glass of cold water in the morning may help wake you up and boost your alertness.

Plus, drinking water before bed can keep you from waking up with a dry mouth and bad breath.

The bottom line

However, it can be difficult to drink water habitually, especially if you are busy, regularly forget to drink, or dislike the taste of water.

Choosing from these 12 simple tips can help you boost your daily water intake

Source :

www.cdc.gov

www.healthline.com