About 60% of the human body is made up of water.
The 8×8 rule states that you should consume eight 8-ounce (237 mL) glasses of water each day.
Although there isn’t much data supporting this particular rule, it’s crucial to stay hydrated.
Here are 7 benefits of drinking lots of water for your health that have been proven.
- Helps maximize physical performance
Your ability to perform physically may decrease if you don’t stay hydrated. This is crucial during strenuous exercise or periods of extreme heat. Changes in body temperature regulation decrease motivation and greater weariness may result from this. Exercise may also seem considerably more challenging as a result, both physically and emotionally.
Staying hydrated can help you work out as hard as you can if you tend to perspire a lot. Your ability to execute strenuous activities might be considerably hampered by losing as little as 2% of your body’s water
2. Significantly affects energy levels and brain function
Your brain is strongly influenced by your hydration status. Studies show that even mild dehydration, such as the loss of 1–3% of body weight, can impair many aspects of brain function.
A fluid loss of 1–3% equals about 1.5–4.5 pounds (0.5–2 kg) of body weight loss for a person weighing 150 pounds (68 kg). This can easily occur through normal daily activities, let alone during exercise or high heat.
Many other studies, with subjects ranging from children to older adults, have shown that mild dehydration can impair mood, memory, and brain performance (8, 9Trusted Source, 10, 11Trusted Source, 12, 13).
Mild dehydration (fluid loss of 1–3%) can impair energy levels, impair mood, and lead to major reductions in memory and brain performance.
3. May help prevent and treat headaches
Some people have headaches and migraines as a result of dehydration. According to research, one of the most typical signs of dehydration is a headache.
Additionally, some studies have indicated that persons who frequently get headaches can benefit from drinking water in order to reduce their frequency.
However, not all studies concur, and experts have determined that further research is required to confirm how improving hydration may assist reduce headache frequency and improve headache symptoms due to the dearth of good quality studies.
4. May help relieve constipation
Constipation is a common condition marked by irregular bowel motions and obstructions in the passage of feces.
The therapy strategy frequently calls for increasing fluid consumption, and there is some evidence to support this. Studies have indicated that salt and magnesium-rich mineral water increases the frequency and consistency of bowel movements in patients who are constipated.
Constipation can be prevented and treated by drinking lots of water, especially for those who don’t typically get enough of it.
5. May help treat kidney stones
Urinary stones are painful clumps of mineral crystals that form in the urinary system. There isn’t much proof that drinking water can prevent kidney stones in persons who have already had them. The amount of urine flowing through the kidneys increases with higher fluid intake. Mineral concentration is diluted as a result, making crystallization and clumping of the minerals less likely.
Studies are needed to confirm that water can also stop stones from forming in the first place. Drinking more water seems to reduce the likelihood of kidney stone formation.
6. Helps prevent hangovers
When someone drinks alcohol, they often experience unpleasant side effects known as a hangover.
Due to its diuretic properties, alcohol causes you to lose more water than you take in. Dehydration may result as a result. Despite not being the primary cause of hangovers, dehydration can nevertheless result in symptoms including thirst, exhaustion, headaches, and dry mouth.
Drinking a glass of water in between drinks and at least one large glass of water before bed are effective ways to lessen hangovers.
7. Can aid weight loss
Drinking plenty of water can help you lose weight.
This is because water makes you feel full and avoid unnecessary calory intake through binge eating. Some evidence suggests that increasing water intake can promote weight loss by slightly increasing your metabolism, which can increase the number of calories you burn on a daily basis.
Did you know that timing is important too? Drinking water half an hour before meals is the most effective. It can make you feel more full so that you eat fewer calories (28Trusted Source, 29Trusted Source).
