Why is Hydration So Important?

 

My mother is always telling me that I do not drink enough water during the day to keep myself hydrated.  I realize they recommend a person consume 6 to 8 eight ounce glasses of water every day but I don’t do that.  Part of it has to do with not being able to head to the restroom when I want to and second I don’t like the taste of many of the waters I’ve had.  I remember getting a glass of water still fizzing from the tap  and I wouldn’t even try it.

It is important to drink enough water every day because it helps regulate the temperature of your body, helps to lubricate joints, allows your body to fight infections, delivers nutrients to various parts of the body while helping organs function properly.  Furthermore, every cell, every muscle, every organ needs water in order to work properly and it helps remove waste from your body. In addition, if you do not stay hydrated, your sleep quality can go down, along with your cognition, and change your moods.  

In terms we can relate to, a person’s body is made up of about 60 percent water.  If you weigh 155 pounds, your body is made up of 11 gallons of liquid or about 92 pounds of your body weight is made of water.  It has been discovered that being properly hydrated cuts down on incidents of dry mouth, and helps keep lips moisturised.  In addition, it helps keep the amount of blood up because if the volume of your blood goes down, your heart has to work harder to move it around.  In addition blood carries oxygen around so you want to make sure your blood volume is normal so it can carry enough oxygen.

Furthermore, staying hydrated allows your body to cool itself properly.  It also keeps your skin feeling more supple so you look better and helps your kidneys remove waste efficiently otherwise your kidneys could quit working.

Although it is strongly recommended the fluids be straight water, it is fine to drink water flavored with lemons, oranges, cucumbers, or strawberries, or even coffee and tea but none of the liquids should be sweetened with sugar. Sugar sweetened beverages such as soda, fruit juices, energy drinks, and vitamin waters do not help us hydrate properly. 

Yes there is a controversy over drinking fluids with caffeine, research has concluded that people can have some caffeine without a problem.  For some people, caffeine can make them urinate more frequently but it is suggested one consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day.

So make sure you drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and in good health.  Be aware you might need to drink extra fluids if it is hot out or you are exercising. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day and on Monday, we’ll look at hydration and your face.