Viwe Ndongeni
Drinking water is essential and needed by the body every day. While we may know the importance of drinking water most are still guilty of not drinking the required amount of water a day, especially in winter.
There are many different opinions from various health gurus on how much water one should be drinking every day.
The majority of health authorities commonly recommend eight glasses, which may equal about 2 liters depending on the size of the cup.
There are common signs one should look for to check if your body is well hydrated or dehydrated.
The colour of your urine is one such indicator. If your urine is dark yellow, and your lips are getting parched this could be the sign that your body needs more water.
Health In Site website lists some health benefits of drinking water:
- Water plays an important role is in assisting digestive system. It helps to keep your bowel-functioning regular and prevent constipation by promoting the movement of food through your gastrointestinal tract.Constipation and slow metabolism may indicate dehydration.
- Your body has toxins and waste products that it has to flush out regularly.The toxins are transported into the kidneys by your bodily fluids. In the kidneys, these substances are dissolved in water and then excreted from the body in the form of urine. Which is why you should pay attention to your urine colour and monitor irregularities.
- Your body is constantly communicating to you and headaches are sometimes a regular communication that you body needs more water. Dehydration can increase your risk of headaches and migraines significantly which is why remaining hydrated throughout the day can help prevent headaches. Next time before you reach for painkillers for your headache opt for a glass of water.
- Another health benefit of staying hydrated is that water helps with weight loss. Some health gurus believe that you can fool your stomach with water as it helps you feel fuller for longer, encouraging you to eat less and helps you avoid overeating and cravings.
Health blogger Abby Phon says water can also increase energy and relieves fatigue.
“The brain is mostly made of water, drinking it helps you think, focus and concentrate better and be more alert. As an added bonus, your energy levels are also boosted.”
Improves skin complexion is also one the benefits of drinking water. It helps you moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, soft, glowing and smooth. It may also work as delaying aging or is an anti-aging treatment.
If your immune system is weak, you might increase your water intake, because drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu, cancer and other ailments like heart attacks.