Importance of Drinking Water for Healthy Living

Quick Bites

• The human body needs water to digest food properly.
• Water helps to cool the body in hot weather and insulates it in colder weather.
• Water can promote weight loss by draining out by-products of fat decomposition.
• To keep your skin soft and supple, drink lots of water.

Do you feel tired easily? Suffer from muscle pain or are not losing weight despite trying? You may not be drinking enough water.

Water is not only essential for carrying out the basic bodily functions, but also to help people look and feel good. It is a necessary part of life; every living being needs to drink water. Cells need water to absorb oxygen and function properly. The human body is made up of about 60 percent water which it uses to carry out basic bodily functions. It is important to replenish the body with water from time to time because it keeps losing this powerful liquid throughout the day while breathing, perspiring and urinating. The lost water must be replaced through food and drink.

Here is why it is important to drink water.

Helps digestion
Water aids digestion. The human body needs water to digest food properly. If there is a lack of water in the body, you may develop constipation, which can further lead to several health problems.

Improves circulation
If you are dehydrated, blood circulation in your body may alter because of the thickening of blood. Poor blood circulation may lead to bouts of headache and extreme fatigue. So, the more water you sip the better your blood circulation will be.


Maintains body temperature
Water helps regulate body temperature, which is why your instructor tells you to drink water before, during and after some sort of physical activity. Water gets lost during a physical activity because of heavy breathing and perspiration. This loss of water must be replaced to ensure that the temperature of the body does not dip. Keeping hydrated helps you perform better and also ensures that you are in good health. If you are not hydrates, you tend to be prone to heat exhaustion. Water helps to cool the body in hot weather and insulates it in colder weather.

Eliminates toxinsThe primary function of kidneys is to eliminate waste from the body. Drinking enough water lowers the burden on your kidneys. Therefore, adequate amount of water in the body is essential for the excretion of bodily wastes. Those who suffer from kidney diseases such as kidney stones can benefit from drinking 8 glasses of water every day.

Combats aliments
Drinking water regularly keeps the body’s functions going. If you lack water in your body, you are susceptible to headaches, migraines, fatigue, drowsiness and depression. The risks of back pain and muscle spasms can also be reduced by being sufficiently hydrated.

Promotes weight lossWater can promote weight loss by draining out by-products of fat decomposition and diluting the body's waste. Moreover, it is an appetite-suppressant. You may drink water before meals to reduce the intake of food.

Benefits the skinTo keep your skin soft and supple, drink lots of water. It moisturizer the skin and helps muscles to contract properly.

How much water should you drink?

According to the Institute of Medicine, men should consume about 13 cups of water a day while women should consume about 9 cups a day. However, how much water a person needs to drink depends on his or her size and activity level.