Well, they’re plentiful!
1. As the RiverRock ad goes, ‘when you can’t think straight, hydrate!’ They speak the truth; drinking water helps your brain activity, increases mental and physical energy and relieves fatigue.
Our bodies are made up of 55-65% water and rely heavily on water to function efficiently. Drinking water helps you think better, be more focused, concentrate for longer and be more alert, and with the body working more efficiently, energy levels are also boosted!
2. Drinking 2L of water a day has been linked to weight loss. Some studies claim that by removing by-products of fat, your body doesn’t store as much as it would when you’re dehydrated. The general consensus though, is that by drinking water before your main meals (and filling your hungry belly), you reduce the amount you eat thus consume less calories. Water is also credited with raising your metabolism, and if you choose to drink it instead of fizzy drinks or fruit juices, you’ll eliminate the calories you would have otherwise consumed.
3. Keeping hydrated improves your skin and complexion. Like a flower that hasn’t been watered, our skin too begins to wilt when we’re not hydrated making us look tired, colourless and wrinkly! Drinking water helps your skin to moisturise naturally keeping it fresh, soft, and smooth.
4. However you feel about juice cleanses and detox diets, you can’t overlook water for flushing out toxins. We pee to rid our bodies of urea and other toxins, but if you’re not well hydrated, your body will find it difficult to expel the waste. The general rule is to drink enough water so your urine is almost clear. This will help the body ward off the risk of kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
5. Drinking water helps the body ‘maintain regularity’ i.e. poo regularly. Water helps your body digest the food you eat and prevents constipation. Enough said.
6. Drinking 2L of water per day also helps to boost your immune system. Often when we’re sick we’re told ‘get lots of fluids into you’. This is actually solid advice, but prevention is better than cure. Following on from the two immediate reasons above, that drinking water helps to rid the body of toxins, drinking plenty of water has been linked to fighting off colds and flues and other more serious diseases and ailments like cancer and heart attacks.
7. Because drinking water helps our bodies to function more efficiently, it also helps our brain fight off headaches, migraine and back pains. Each of these ailments are commonly caused by dehydration.
8. Drinking enough water also helps to keep our joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so it’s less likely you’ll experience joint pain or get injured when you’re hydtrated.
9. When the body is functioning efficiently, you naturally begin to feel better mentally, so drinking water can put you in a good mood!
