The importance of drinking enough water is something that everyone has heard all throughout their life, yet many of us still cannot seem to stay properly hydrated. Water truly is an essential element for our body, though, so it’s crucial that we all make a conscious effort to get enough of it throughout the day.
Are you still not convinced about the importance of hydration? Continue reading to see just how much of our well-being is affected by water, and some tips on how you can increase your daily water intake.
The Importance of Staying Hydrated
Not only does water play a role in all those functions, but being properly hydrated also impacts us on a much more broad scale by improving cognition, sleep quality, and mood. When these areas are impacted by not drinking enough water, you can experience repercussions all throughout your body.
The Detrimental Health Effects of Dehydration
Suffering from dehydration can have drastic effects in all areas of your life. If you suffer from any of the below conditions, it may be time to consider if you are drinking enough water.
Dry Skin
Some people naturally have drier skin than others, and sometimes dry skin can be blamed on the time of year, with skin
Dental Problems
Water is a key component of saliva, so when you are dehydrated your body does not
Not only can this cause dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease, but these bacteria can also cause bad breath.
Headaches
There are many causes of headaches, but one cause is from dehydration. While scientists are not entirely sure why
Infections
Moodiness
If you are feeling moodier than usual, it may be due to dehydration. Research has shown that even mild dehydration can cause neurological changes that impact our ability to focus and increase irritability.
Tips For Drinking More Water
The amount of water someone needs in a day varies based on gender, activity level, health status, and weight, but, on average, it’s recommended for men to aim for 16 cups of water a day and women to aim for 11.
Set a Daily Goal
When setting a goal, be specific about how much water you wish to drink daily. For example, your goal might be to drink 64 oz of water a day.
Whatever your goal, it is often best to record your progress, as marking down daily achievements can help keep you motivated and build a lasting habit.
Keep a Water Bottle with You
When you have a water bottle with you at all times, you are more likely to drink more water. The saying “out of sight, out of mind” is true here, so ensuring that water is always in sight can help you achieve your daily hydration goals.
It’s a common misconception that you only need to drink water when you feel thirsty. In fact, feeling as though your mouth is dry and sticky is a sign that your body is dehydrated, and you should be drinking water before you reach this point. When you sip on water throughout the day, you ensure your body is always properly hydrated.
Follow a Schedule
If you find yourself going the whole day drinking very little water, try setting aside specific times a day where you drink a glass of water. Some people like to drink a glass as soon as they wake up, while others find that drinking a glass before each meal serves as an effective trigger to help them remember to drink water.
Find times that work for you, and see how quickly a habit forms when you drink water at the same time each day.
Flavor Your Water
Many people do not drink enough water because they do not like the taste of it or need a little something to keep their
Many people enjoy adding fruit to their water, with some common additions being lemon, cucumber, or strawberries.
For something more convenient, try our Glutathione Rapid Boost+. It’s a fruit punch flavored packet you add to your water, giving you a caffeine-free burst of energy that also increases focus, endurance, and immune support.
Eat Foods High in Water
While daily water goals are often referred to in terms of “cups,” that does not mean that all of your water has to be drunk. If you are struggling to drink enough water during the day, try adding foods with high water content to your meals to help increase the amount of water you give your body.
Some foods high in water include:
- celery
- lettuce
- cabbage
- zucchini
- cantaloupe
- watermelon
- honeydew melon
Not only are these fruits and vegetables high in water, but they also contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help to improve your health.
Final Remarks
With the human body composed of about 60% water, it’s understandable that this is an essential component that we need to replenish throughout the day. Water is necessary for many processes in the body, including regulating body temperature, preventing infections, and keeping your organs functioning properly. When you aren’t adequately hydrated, you will feel it.
To help keep your hydration levels up, try forming habits such as keeping a water bottle nearby or drinking a glass at certain times a day. It also helps to eat foods with a high water content or flavor your water with drink mixes such as Glutathione Rapid Boost+, which provides energy, increases focus, and improves immune function.
Whatever method of drinking more water works for you and your lifestyle, be sure to stick with it to see the benefits proper hydration offers your health.
References
Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity: Water and Healthier Drinks. (2022). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fhealthywater%2Fdrinking%2Fnutrition%2Findex.html
Turner, M., & Ship, J. (2007). Dry Mouth and Its Effects on the Oral Health of Elderly People. The Journal Of The American Dental Association, 138, S15-S20. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2007.0358
Arca, K., & Halker Singh, R. (2021). Dehydration and Headache. Current Pain And Headache Reports, 25(8). doi: 10.1007/s11916-021-00966-z
Hooton, T., Vecchio, M., Iroz, A., Tack, I., Dornic, Q., Seksek, I., & Lotan, Y. (2018). Effect of Increased Daily Water Intake in Premenopausal Women With Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. JAMA Internal Medicine, 178(11), 1509. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.4204
Armstrong, L., Ganio, M., Casa, D., Lee, E., McDermott, B., & Klau, J. et al. (2011). Mild Dehydration Affects Mood in Healthy Young Women. The Journal Of Nutrition, 142(2), 382-388. doi: 10.3945/jn.111.142000
Dietary Reference Intake for Electrolytes and Water. (2005). https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/dietary-reference-intakes-for-electrolytes-and-water
Epton, T., Currie, S., & Armitage, C. (2017). Unique effects of setting goals on behavior change: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal Of Consulting And Clinical Psychology, 85(12), 1182-1198. doi: 10.1037/ccp0000260
The Water in You: Water and the Human Body | U.S. Geological Survey. (2019). Retrieved 7 July 2022, from https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-you-water-and-human-body