Water: About 60 percent of the human body and about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface are covered by water. Perhaps because of the ubiquitous presence of water, drinking enough water each day is not at the top of many people’s priority lists.
15 Essential Benefits of Water
1. Keeps joints healthy: Joints and spinal discs are about 80 percent water. Chronic dehydration reduces the joint’s ability to absorb shock, which can lead to joint pain.
2. Produces salivary glands and mucus: Saliva helps digest food and keeps the mouth, nose and eyes moist. It prevents abrasion and damage. Drinking water keeps the mouth clean. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks can reduce tooth decay.
3. Delivers oxygen throughout the body: Blood is more than 90 percent water, and blood carries oxygen to different parts of the body.
4. Promotes skin health and beauty: Dehydration can make skin more susceptible to disease and premature aging.
5. Protects the brain, spinal cord and other sensitive tissues: Dehydration can affect brain structure and function. It is also involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Chronic dehydration can cause problems with thinking and reasoning.
6. Regulates body temperature (Water):
When the body heats up, water accumulated in the middle layers of the skin comes to the surface of the skin as sweat. It cools the body as it evaporates. In the field of sports, some scientists have suggested that when the body has too little water, heat storage increases and the individual cannot withstand heat stress. Having plenty of water in the body can reduce physical stress caused by heat stress during exercise. However, more research is needed on these effects.
7. Stomach is dependent on water for normal functioning: Water is required for proper functioning of intestines. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, constipation and an overly acidic stomach. It increases the risk of heartburn and stomach ulcers.
8. Eliminates body waste products: Water is needed in the process of perspiration and excretion of urine and faeces.
9. Helps maintain blood pressure: Dehydration can cause blood to thicken, leading to an increase in blood pressure.
10. Provides essential support to the airways: During dehydration, the body narrows the airways to reduce water loss. It can worsen asthma and allergies.
11. Makes minerals and nutrients readily available: They are water soluble, which enables them to reach different parts of the body.
12. Prevents kidney damage:
Water helps the kidneys remove waste from the blood in the form of urine. Staying hydrated also opens up your blood vessels, allowing blood to travel freely to the kidneys and deliver essential nutrients.
13. Increases performance during exercise: More research is needed on this topic, but one review found that dehydration reduces performance during activities lasting more than 30 minutes.
14. Helps in weight loss: Water can also help in weight loss if consumed instead of sugary juices and sodas. Overeating can be prevented by filling the stomach by drinking water before eating.
15. Reduces the chances of a hangover: Substitute sweetened soda water with ice and lemon for alcoholic drinks while partying to prevent excess alcohol intake.
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