A popular statement we definitely hear all the time is that we need to be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. We all know that water is “healthy” for us, but do we actually know the real reasons why?

1. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids.

Our body is about 60% water. When we are low on fluids, our body communicates with our kidneys which signals our thirst mechanism. Re-hydrating enables our body to maintain a healthy balance through digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature at a healthy state.

2. Water Can Help Control Calories

If you haven't heard this before, when trying to lose weight we should be drinking a sufficient amount of water. Why? For one, it keeps the body working very efficiently, water essentially creates a superhighway in the body. Now water itself may not be the actual mechanism that is burning fat, but it is a good substitute for other drinks with high calories. High water content foods like fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, oatmeal, and beans will help you feel more full while trimming your calorie intake.

3. Water Helps Energize Muscles

Muscle cells need water, so when they aren’t receiving the fluid they need they shrivel which causes muscle fatigue. The American College of Sports Medicine guidelines states that 2 hours before you are going to work out, 17 ounces of fluid need to be consumed and then a regular fluid intake while exercising to replace all the fluids lost from sweating.

4. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good

Our skin could show our first signs in aging and dehydration makes your skin look old and wrinkly. No one ever wants to look older (unless you’re still waiting to turn 21) and drinking the necessary amount of water can help improve your skin’s dehydration.

Another quick skincare tip is using a physical barrier like a moisturizer on your skin to keep excess moisture from escaping and having healthy, glowing skin.

5. Water helps your kidneys

Our kidneys cleanse and get rid of toxins based on our water intake. Therefore, when we don’t drink enough water, our kidneys have to trap bodily fluids which cause our urine concentration, color, and odor to increase. Our kidney also passes the main toxin in our body, blood urea nitrogen, through our urine, and being hydrated helps make that process much easier. Another important thing to remember is that drinking too little makes you susceptible to kidney stones which is a pain that no one wants to experience.

Along with our 5 reasons to stay hydrated, here are 5 tips to help you drink more:

1. Drink a beverage with every snack and meal.

2. Choose drinks you enjoy drinking because you’ll be likely to drink more of it.

3. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Their high water content will add to your hydration.

4. Keep a bottle of water with you wherever you go, at your desk, or in your bag.

5. Choose beverages that are going to help you reach your goal. If you're watching for calories, go for water or something very low in calories/sugar.

Thank you for reading and I hope it encourages you to keep a water bottle by your side at all times! ! Feel free to take a look around our website, there is plenty of information, free guides, and ways to reach out to us.

👉🏽👉🏽If you are suffering from any pain and want answers NOW, I recommend a Free 30-Min Discovery Session. You get a chance to tell us what you've been experiencing and ask us any questions. We will give you all the information you need to make the BEST decision for YOUR health. It is a no-obligation, no forms to sign, no credit card required, totally free consultation. This can be done Virtually or In Our Wyckoff, New Jersey Clinic...

If you have further questions regarding this blog post or other tips that can help you to relieve your pain, Contact Us at Skyline Physical Therapy located in Wyckoff, NJ.