We hear this a lot – drink more water! It is essential to stay hydrated because our bodies are made up of about 60% water.
There are many benefits that are backed by science:
1. Improvements in Energy Levels, Mood, and Brain Function
Our bodies crave water! Drinking enough water can keep our energy high and make us feel more productive throughout the day. Also, it helps us stay in a better mood and helps our brains function at full force.
2. Dehydration Can Trigger Headaches
If you aren’t adequately hydrated, you are more likely to get a headache. It is also important to drink plenty of water if you are prone to getting frequent headaches or migraines to prevent them from starting.
3. Drinking Water Prevents Constipation
Getting enough water each day can aid in the proper digestion of our food and prevent constipation. Not only does water help our digestive track work optimally, but it also helps us break down food so that our bodies can absorb important nutrients better.
4. Increases Satiety and Boosts Metabolism
Water can help us feel full! Drinking water throughout the day can help us from overeating at meal or snack times and can aid in weight loss. Also, we can burn more calories, and our metabolism is boosted by digesting water, especially if drinking cold water. Our bodies burn a few more calories just from drinking cold water since our body uses energy to heat it to body temperature.
So how do we make sure we drink enough water? Aim to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. It is recommended that those who are very active, pregnant, or nursing drink even more water throughout the day.
Some ideas to increase water intake could include:
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Try sparkling water, seltzer water, infusing water with fruit, or unsweetened tea.
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Increase fruit and vegetable intake since these also contain water.
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Keeping your favorite water bottle on hand is also a great strategy to keep your water intake at or above the daily recommendation.
There are other helpful tools that you can try to help you stay on track with drinking enough water. You can track the amount of water you drink daily with a fluid tracker, and you can also set reminders or alarms on your phone to help you remember to drink water frequently throughout the day. There are also a lot of water drinking apps that you can download that will help you remember to drink water and track your intake.
Hydrate, feel great!
Written By: Coach Sarah