10 Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Something I have real trouble with is drinking enough water. I just don’t like the taste! I used to drink a lot of fizzy drinks and I have tried my best to cut down on these are replace them with healthier options like sparkling water but I still don’t think I really get enough H2O during the day.

I do sometimes wonder if taking the trouble to drink water when it doesn’t come naturally to me is something I should bother doing, but as medical experts like those at Guys & St Thomas recommend there are some very good reasons to keep hydrated for good health. Here are 10 benefits of drinking water.

1. Healthy skin – skin contains a lot of water and acts as a protective barrier to keep water inside the body. The water you drink hydrates skin cells and plumps them up making you look younger. Water also helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturises and increases the elasticity which all makes you have a healthy glow!
2. Energy levels and brain function – dod you know that your brain is mostly made of water? It’s no surprise that the brain is strongly influenced by your hydration status. It has been shown that a loss of 1–3% of body weight can impair many aspects of brain function and can impact your mood, concentration level, memory and can increase the likelihood of headaches. Water also helps increase blood flow and oxygen to your brain, balance your mood and emotions and reduces stress. Learn more here.
3. Beat hangovers – alcohol is a diuretic (it makes you lose more water than you take in) which can lead to dehydration which can cause unpleasant symptoms like thirst, fatigue, headache, and dry mouth which can make you feel even worse the morning after! A tried and tested method to reduce a hangover is to drink a big glass of water before bed.
4. Physical performance – everyone knows it’s important to drink water while exercising but did you know that dehydration can have a negative impact on your performance? Dehydration can lead to altered body temperature control, reduced motivation, and increased fatigue. It can also make exercise feel much more difficult, both physically and mentally so you are more likely to give up sooner.
5. Prevent and treat headaches – dehydration can trigger headaches and migraine in some people and a headache is one of the most common symptoms of dehydration. Some studies have shown that drinking water can help relieve headaches in those who experience frequent headaches.
6. Constipation – constipation can be very uncomfortable, it’s important to remember that sufficient hydration keeps things flowing along your gastrointestinal tract. Upping water intake is often recommended as a part of the treatment and studies have shown that mineral water that’s rich in magnesium and sodium improves bowel movement frequency and consistency in people with constipation.
7. Detoxify – when it comes to detoxing your kidneys and liver are the heroes. Waste products are transported in and out of your cells by fluids with water being the main component. The kidneys and liver flush toxins out of your body; this process can only work properly if you are well hydrated. When you are not drinking enough water, you are at an increased risk of developing kidney stones and experiencing urinary tract infections.
8. Kidney stones – urinary stones are painful clumps of mineral crystal that form in the urinary system the most common form is kidney stones, which form in the kidneys. Some studies show that water intake can help stop the recurrence of this painful problem in people who have previously had kidney stones.
9. Weight loss – the brain can’t tell the difference between hunger and thirst, so often we can mistake thirst as a ‘sugar craving’. Instead of reaching for the sweets next time you feel a craving try drinking a glass of water first you may find this curbs your craving and you can make healthier snack options.
10. Fight illness – right now everyone is worried about keeping well and avoiding being ill. It has been shown that water may help with decongestion when you’re feeling under the weather so make sure you drink water regularly through your day to boost your resilience.