The Many Health Benefits of Drinking Water

We all know that it’s important to keep ourselves hydrated, but what are the reasons why?

Our bodies need water to function. Did you know that about 2/3 of our bodies are made up of water? Our organs and tissues are mainly made up of water too! Your muscles – which includes the heart – are 75 percent water, your brain is 80 percent water, your lungs are 90 percent water, your skin is 64 percent water, your blood is 83 percent water… even your bones are 30 percent water!

It would be good to think of water as an essential nutrient that your body needs to maintain balance. You lose water through your sweat, breath, urine, as well as body movements. If you are in a hot climate, running a fever, physically active, or have symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, your body loses fluid even more.

Your ER in Corpus Christi, TX would like to share some of the health benefits of drinking water and how staying hydrated enhances your well-being:

1. It regulates your body temperature

Your body loses water on a daily basis, so staying hydrated is important. Your body keeps itself cool by sweating, however, not replenishing lost fluids will cause your body temperature to rise. This is because your body loses plasma and electrolytes when it’s not hydrated well. If you are sweating more than the usual, be sure to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration.

2. Water protects your tissues, spinal cord, and joints

Drinking water helps cushion and lubricate your spinal cord, tissues, and joints. The cartilage that is found in your joints and the spine’s disks has 80 percent water. Dehydration can lead to joint pain, as the body has less shock-absorbing ability.

3. Accelerates brain function

Our brain is 80 percent water, so drinking a lot will help boost your cognition and concentration, maintain memory function, and balance your mood and emotions. Keeping yourself hydrated also increases the oxygen and blood flow to your brain, helping reduce stress and prevent headaches.

4. Helps in weight loss

Water has zero calories, and drinking plenty of it will help as an appetite suppressant, helping you feel full and eat less. It also helps prevent fluid retention. Research shows that drinking one glass of water actually boosts your metabolism by up to 30 percent for about 90 minutes.

5. Flushes bodily toxins

The liver and kidneys use water to flush out waste products in your body. Your kidneys won’t have ample fluid to do its job correctly if you don’t stay hydrated. As a result, you’ll be at a higher risk of urinary tract infections and developing kidney stones.

Now that you know the many health benefits of drinking water and why it’s essential to stay hydrated, drink up! Always keep a water bottle handy. If you live in Texas where the climate is usually hot, it’s even more crucial to watch your fluid intake. Keep yourself hydrated, and your body will run optimally – day in and out. Your caring staff at Physicians Premier, your ER in Corpus Christi, TX would like to encourage you to keep a healthy mindset around drinking water. Once you start, it will become second nature to you.