Our bodies are made up of 50-70 percent water. Water is essential to life and good health. Drinking too much water is nearly impossible as our bodies will adjust with urination output. However, not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration. When we do not drink enough water our kidneys do not function properly. Since we do not store water in our bodies, it is vital that we consume the proper amount daily for good health. While we can survive for a week with no food, it only takes days to experience harmful and deadly effects of dehydration. Water helps maintain our body’s temperature, regulate circulation, lubricate joints and contribute to healthy skin.
So how much water is sufficient? While this largely depends on a person’s size, the guideline is eight glasses of water daily. If you are exposed to prolonged heat or have been exerting yourself physically you will need to drink several more glasses to prevent dehydration. An overwhelming amount of our daily liquid intake comes from beverages while only about 15-20% comes from food. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages are dehydrating. Caffeinated beverages are not dehydrating as once thought but will add to the amount of liquid required in a day.
Will drinking water help you lose weight? Water does not aid your weight loss as much as it maintains proper body function. Often your body will mistake thirst as hunger, so drinking the proper amount will alleviate this issue. Water can be used to suppress or control appetite since your body will not seek food to maintain a healthy liquid intake. Water will increase metabolic rate which will in turn allow for more calories to burn faster. Many foods today contain less water content in order to be stored for a greater amount of time. Consuming these foods will cause you to crave which will lead to increased calorie consumption. Increasing your water intake after working out will help maintain your energy level and aid in recovery. Water is essential to a healthy life and to maintain a healthy weight.
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