Drink to Thrive: The Health Benefits of Staying Hydrated

Water is a fundamental building block of life. It is our lifeline as our body relies on it for numerous vital functions. A fascinating fact: the average man is about 60% water, women are around 50%, our brain is 75% water and our blood is a whopping 83% water. Needless to say, we can’t survive without it for long.

In this article, discover the benefits of staying hydrated and why staying hydrated is crucial for your health. Explore the functions of water, and the types of drinking water, and get expert advice on daily intake.

Our body loses water daily through urination, sweating, and breathing. We have to replenish this lost water regularly to keep up our performance levels. Otherwise, we risk becoming dehydrated.

Here is a quick rundown of what happens at different dehydration levels:

1. 1% Dehydration: Thirst kicks in and we feel less focused.
2. 5% Dehydration: We get hot and tired, and our performance drops.
3. 10% Dehydration: Delirium and blurred vision creep in.
4. 20% Dehydration: This level can be life-threatening.

That’s how critical water is to our survival!

The Roles Of Water In Your Body

When working out individuals must ensure their daily water intake.

Water performs many functions when it comes to our health. Below is a list of some of its key roles:

1. Transporting Nutrients: Water becomes a vital transporter of any substance once it dissolves in water. Our blood carries oxygen, nutrients, and waste products from one cell to another. Even urine, mostly water, plays a role in removing waste from your body.
2. Moistening and Protecting: Water keeps our mouth moist, washes away dirt from our eyes, and lubricates joints, ensuring they remain flexible.
3. Maintaining pH and Electrolyte Balance: Our body’s pH level must stay around 7.4. Water helps maintain this balance. It’s also crucial for regulating electrolytes, like sodium and chloride, which play a crucial role in nerve transmission and muscle contraction.
4. Participating in Chemical Reactions: Water is essential in various bodily processes, from digesting food to providing energy for your muscles and organs.
5. Regulating Temperature: Water acts as a natural thermostat, helping your body maintain its temperature.
6. Reducing the Risk of Health Issues: Staying hydrated lowers the risk of kidney stones, some types of cancer, and even constipation.
7. Ensuring Adequate Blood Volume: Water is a significant component of body fluids that are essential for proper circulation.

Types Of Water

It may come as a surprise to some, but many are unaware that water comes in various types, depending on its source and processing. Here’s a quick rundown of different types of water:

• Hard Water: Contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium and is usually sourced from low-level sources.
• Soft Water: Contains higher sodium levels and is typically sourced from high-level or deep underground sources.
• Potable (Drinking) Water: Safe for human consumption, often treated before use.
• Bottled Water: It may sometimes be superior to tap water, as some brands source it from the same supplies. However, water packed in plastic bottles can contain microplastics that are harmful to us in multiple ways.
• Artesian Water: Drawn from a well that taps into a confined rock formation.
• Groundwater: Comes from underground sources without contact with surface water.
• Mineral Water: Contains at least 250 parts per million of dissolved solids.
• Purified Water: Also referred to as distilled water, has all minerals removed.
• Sparkling Bottled Water: It is bottled water with carbon dioxide.
• Spring Water: Flows naturally to the earth’s surface from underground formations.
• Well Water: Derived from rock formations.

Properties Of Water

Staying hydrated is known to glow up the skin and other various benefits.

Water has some unique properties that make it indispensable:

• Boiling point: 100 degrees Celsius
• Freezing point: 0 degrees Celsius
• pH level: 7 (neutral)
• Polarity: It’s polar, which means it can dissolve many substances.
• Conductivity: While pure H2O doesn’t conduct electricity, it does when mixed with other substances.
• Density: At 25 degrees Celsius, it has a 1g/cm3 density.

Water As A Solvent

Water is the ultimate team player in our body’s biochemical processes. It is a solvent that dissolves other substances, turning them into solutes. When solutes dissolve in water, they form electrically charged particles called electrolytes. These ions play critical roles from nerve communication to muscle contraction.

Daily Water Intake Guidelines

So how much water do we need daily? The general rule is to drink when you’re thirsty and stop when you’re not anymore. However, some guidelines can help:

• Aim for 1-1.5 milliliters of water per calorie expended daily in normal conditions. This roughly translates to about 8 glasses of water per day.
• During exercise, replace about 500 milliliters of water for every pound lost.
• Remember, our body loses water through sweat, breath, urine, and feces. Staying hydrated is crucial, especially during intense physical activity or hot weather.

In a nutshell, water is our body’s lifeline. It is not just about quenching your thirst; it’s about ensuring your body functions optimally. So, drink up and stay hydrated—one of the simplest ways to boost your overall well-being.

How do you make sure you get enough water in your daily routine? Share your thoughts in the comments below!