Hydrate your body

The importance of drinking enough water

Leonardo Da Vinci said, “Water is the driving force of all nature,” and he was right; without water, we could not live. Water is essential for life and good health; from regulating body temperature to preventing infections, water has many vital functions for the body, and that is because the body is made up mostly of water. 

Some of the functions of water are nutrient and oxygen transportation and absorption, flushing waste products, building and maintaining the health of cells, protecting the brain, spinal cord, other organs, and fetus, forming saliva and mucus, lubricating joints, regulating body temperature, help maintain blood pressure, aid in digestion, and the list goes on and on. 

In the study Water, Hydration, and Health, Popkin and Rosenberg (2010) mentioned that even mild dehydration can affect physical and mental health; some of the effects of dehydration are: decrease in physical performance, mood changes, decrease in concentration, alertness, and short term memory, constipation, decrease in kidney and heart function, headaches, skin changes, and development of chronic diseases, among other changes.

Water is essential for the health and wellness of every body system. A balanced diet goes hand in hand with proper hydration since minerals are important for water absorption. 

Some recommendations to help you know that you are drinking enough are:

• Keep track of your intake.

• Carry a bottle of water with you.

• Add reminders throughout your day to drink more.

So from now on, remember to drink your way to wellness.