Our muscles and brain consist of 75% water; our blood is 82% water! We need enough water to make sure our body functions at its best.
It’s true, during hot summer days, our bodies lose a significant amount of fluid through sweating. The increased amount of outdoor activity combined with rising temperatures is a recipe for dehydration. However, because our body is comprised of approximately 60-70% water, we need to stay hydrated even when it’s not hot out. In fact, if we deplete our body of the necessary fluids it needs to function efficiently, it will have a negative effect on our ability to do what we want to do.
Lack of sufficient water can cause muscle weakness, joint pain, urinary tract infections, headaches, fatigue, and confusion. Every cell in the body, as well as all our tissues and organs depend on water. Water in our body acts like gasoline in a car; it lubricates our joints, it flushes bacteria and waste from our kidneys and keeps our brain functioning on all cylinders. Drinking the proper amount of water, reduces risk of various medical conditions such as kidney stones, high blood pressure, constipation, and headaches. Drinking sufficient amounts of water can also boost metabolism and assist in weight loss.
The older we get, the more susceptible we become to dehydration. We tend to drink less and if we’re taking medication, they may affect our hydration levels.
Exercise and heat should not be the only reasons to stay hydrated. We can ensure we intake enough fluids all the time and in various ways such as: carrying a re-usable water bottle, eating water-based foods like watermelon, tomatoes, celery, and drinking herbal teas and sports drinks that rejuvenate electrolytes in the body.
Staying hydrated should be part of our daily routine. Small actions like: drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning and with meals will be really helpful. Keeping a glass on the bedside table is an effortless way of helping our bodies.
Remember every time we drink water, we are helping to maintain our skin tone, flush out toxins and enable the kidneys to filter wastes effectively. Cheers!
