Benefit Of Drinking Water

Everyone knows it's important to stay hydrated, but what are the reasons? Let’s look at the benefits of drinking enough water. 

Drinking enough water, or staying hydrated, is the first rule of health and nutrition. Our bodies can supposedly go weeks without food and yet a few days without water. This makes sense when you consider that our bodies are made up of about 60% water and that being dehydrated can start to affect us both physically and mentally.

The benefits of drinking water    

It can improve memory and mood. Research has shown that even mild dehydration can affect the memory and mood of everyone from children to the elderly. It can help reduce sugar cravings and maintain weight.

The brain cannot really tell the difference between hunger and thirst, so we can often confuse thirst with a “sugar craving”. The next time you need something sweet, try a drink of water first.

Staying hydrated can also help maintain weight. Research has shown that drinking water before a meal can fill you up more and therefore promote weight loss by eating less during a meal. This is also true in a 2015 study that swapped diet drinks for water. The results showed that it could lead to a greater reduction in weight and also to an improvement in insulin resistance.

It can improve physical performance. Much research has been done on the effects of hydration or dehydration in athletes, and the results all conclude that dehydration affects not only athletic performance but physiological function as well.

It can reduce headaches and migraines. Not having enough water can increase the risk of headaches or migraines in some people.

It can help prevent constipation in children and adults. Water helps "get things done" in the digestive system, so staying hydrated can help prevent constipation in children, adults and the elderly.

There is some evidence that carbonated water can also be of particular benefit.

It can help prevent kidney stones. Poor hydration can increase the risk of kidney stones developing or recurring in some individuals.

It can help reduce the risk of bladder infections. Some studies have shown that drinking more water can reduce the risk of bladder and urinary tract infections, such as cystitis, in women.

It can reduce hangovers. While drinking water does not prevent hangovers, some research suggests that being hydrated may reduce some of the negative effects of drinking alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic and therefore causes the body to lose more water than it takes in.

It can help manage anxiety. Hydration impacts the brain, as well as the body, and research has shown that even mild dehydration can negatively impact energy levels and moods, which can make symptoms worse.

How much water should we drink per day?

The NHS recommends consuming 6 to 8 glasses or cups per day, and it also includes low-fat milks, as well as low-sugar or sugar-free drinks, tea and coffee.

Watch out for added sugars or syrups in tea, coffee, and soft drinks, which will increase your overall sugar intake for the day.

You may also need more water if you exercise or if the weather is hot because we lose water when we sweat.

A good way to check if you are hydrated is the color of your urine. Ideally, this should be a very pale yellow. If it's clear, you may be drinking too much water, and if it's darker, you need to drink more. When checking for color, be aware that certain medications, supplements, and foods like beets can also affect urine color.

If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider.