Water: the neglected wild card!

        We’ll take the liberty of assuming that everyone wants glowing skin and voluminous hair, or at the very least, a healthy body and mind. And more often than not, all of us have been gospelled about the importance of drinking water. While that may sometimes get irritating and feel like an insurmountable task to complete, there’s no denying the truth about the magic of water. 

       Before we begin listing its importance, let us first acknowledge the fact that 60% of the human body and 71% of the Earth is composed of water. The magnitude of its presence is in tune with its importance in sustaining life. Drinking water is like bathing your body from within. You can scrub, polish, and slather your skin with creams all you want, but you won’t find that “natural” glow unless you prioritise your inner health. And you can start doing just that by fixing your water intake. It is recommended that adult men and women have 3.7 and 2.7 litres of water daily, respectively. Or generally speaking, at least 7-8 glasses each day. Your body’s water requirement also depends on weight, where you live, temperature, and how physically active you are. 

     Drinking adequate water is essential for the body’s metabolism and thereby plays an important role in flushing out toxins, transporting nutrients, digestion, lubrication of joints, skin hydration, and functioning of the brain. The good news is that you don’t have to fulfill your daily water intake goal by drinking just plain water. Tea, milk, juices, kombucha, coconut water, and many fruits contain plenty of water that can help you stay hydrated. (No, alcohol is dehydrating and sodas have too much sugar). An easy way to know if you are properly hydrated is by checking the colour of your pee - a transparent or pale yellow is a good indicator. 

     Dehydration can also sometimes feel like hunger; so next time you feel like munching on a snack, have a glass of water first. You’ll soon see that it was water that your body craved for and not cheesy dip nachos! As tempting as all these benefits are, we must warn you not to overdo drinking water as it will dilute the electrolytes in your body (hyponatremia) and give your head a dizzy spin.

      Drink (water) your way to better health!

Reference

Water Intake, Body Water Regulation and Health

The Nutrition Source - Water

6 Reasons to Drink Water

7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water