We can survive for a month without food but only about four days without water. Water is second only to oxygen in its importance to life. Everyone needs to get enough liquid each day to keep the body working properly.
Personally, I have made drinking water a daily habit. Thirty-two years ago I experienced the pain and discomfort of a kidney infection. The doctor (which I haven’t had to see another since) gave me some pills and suggested I drink cranberry juice and especially more water. At the ripe old age of 26 I was already experiencing the results of how a body can break down by simply not drinking enough water. I sure ain’t that smart, but I did make water my drink of choice from that day forward. For those who need their own reason…I offer you these:
- Weight Loss
Water is one of the best tools for weight loss, first of all because it often replaces high-calorie drinks like soda and juice and alcohol with a drink that doesn’t have any calories. But it’s also a great appetite suppressant, and often when we think we’re hungry, we’re actually just thirsty. Water has no fat, no calories, no carbs, no sugar. Water regulates your metabolism so if you’re overweight chances are you may need more water. Drink plenty to help your weight-loss regimen.
- Heart Healthy
Drinking a good amount of water could lower your risks of a heart attack. A six-year study published in the May 1, 2002 American Journal of Epidemiology found that those who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses.
- Energy
Being dehydrated can sap your energy and make you feel tired — even mild dehydration of as little as 1 or 2 percent of your body weight. If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated — and this can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms. Every cell and organ in your body requires adequate water to function properly.
- Headache Cure
Another symptom of dehydration is headaches. In fact, often when we have headaches it’s simply a matter of not drinking enough water. There are lots of other causes of headaches of course, but dehydration is a common one.
- Healthy Skin
Drinking water can clear up your skin and people often report a healthy glow after drinking water. It won’t happen overnight, of course, but just a week of drinking a healthy amount of water can have good effects on your skin.
- Digestive Problems
Our digestive systems need a good amount of water to digest food properly. Often water can help cure stomach acid problems, and water along with fiber can cure constipation (often a result of dehydration). Be sure to drink water on an empty stomach or you’ll simply be diluting your digestive enzymes and making your digestion less effective.
- Cleansing
Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. Water helps to eliminate wastes and toxins from your body through the lymphatic system, kidneys, and intestines. So, one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your health is to start drinking more pure water every day.
- Cancer Risk
Related to the digestive system item above, drinking a healthy amount of water has also been found to reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%. Drinking lots of water can also reduce the risk of bladder cancer by 50% and potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer.
- Better Exercise
Being dehydrated can severely hamper your athletic activities, slowing you down and making it harder to lift weights. Exercise requires additional water, so be sure to hydrate before, during and after exercise.
- Body Pains
Drinking more water actually helps lessen pain in your body by getting your lymphatic system moving. Water lubricates your joints and helps reduce joint pain and protect against wear and tear.