Increases energy to freshens breath
![Staying hydrated is an important aspect of healthy living. Health benefits of drinking water include increased energy, better skin, fresher breath, and more benefits.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/woman-drinking-water-husband-hydration-thirsty-nutrition-health.jpg?output-quality=75)
Staying hydrated is an important aspect of healthy living, and you’ve probably heard that humans should drink 8 glasses of water per day. Unfortunately, many adults are drinking less water than they need. This means they’re more likely to experience the unpleasant side effects of dehydration, including weakness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and dark urine. Try incorporating more H2O into your diet to enjoy the many health benefits of water, which range from better skin to boosted brain functioning.
Water:
1. Increases energy
When you’re dehydrated, your circulation decreases and your brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen. Your heart has to work harder to distribute oxygen throughout your body, and this means your body has less energy leftover for other functions. Drinking more water, then, can be a quick fix for dwindling energy levels.
2. Flushes toxins
Your body needs water in order to rid itself of harmful toxins. Water supports your body’s ability to remove waste and toxins via breathing, urination, bowel movements, and perspiration.
3. Improves skin
Increased water intake can have a positive effect on your skin. Excessively dry skin is a symptom of dehydration, while drinking water helps your skin maintain healthy moisture levels. Your cells’ absorption of water may also improve your skin’s elasticity.
4. Aids weight loss
Drinking water contributes to a sense of fullness and helps you avoid snacking too much between meals. Plus, water can actually boost your metabolic rate (also known as thermogenesis), which plays a significant role in reducing weight and body fat composition.
5. Freshens breath
Fresh out of gum? Try drinking more water! Water can freshen your breath by keeping your mouth moist. Additionally, drinking water helps remove the bacteria and bits of food that contribute to bad breath.
Healthy scalp to kidney stones
6. Promotes a healthy scalp
Dandruff is a common problem among people with dry skin, but proper hydration can help keep the scalp moisturized and flake-free.
7. Prevents constipation
Constipation is often caused by a lack of water and/or fiber in the diet. An uptick in water intake may solve this uncomfortable issue.
If constipation persists despite more water and fiber, though, it may be time to consult a doctor.
8. Improves digestion
Water plays an important role in digestion: It helps break down soluble fiber. This can help you avoid digestive issues like gas, bloating, heartburn, and irregular bowel movements. Pro tip: Try mineral water, which can be an even more effective digestive aid thanks to minerals like magnesium and calcium.
9. Decreases joint pain
Cartilage provides a cushion between your bones, and up to 80% of your joint cartilage is comprised of water. Drinking water lubricates and reduces friction within your cartilage, which means drinking more water can mean less joint pain.
10. Prevents kidney stones
Drinking lots of water is one of the best methods of kidney stone prevention. When your urine is diluted, that prevents a build-up of the nutrients that cause kidney stones to form.
Heart health to cell nutrition
11. Promotes heart health
Blood plasma should be more than 90% water, so insufficient water intake can cause other components of your blood to become too concentrated, leading to an imbalance of minerals like electrolytes, potassium, and sodium — all of which are vital for healthy heart functioning.
12. Decreases headaches
Headaches are a common symptom of dehydration, which can also trigger painful migraines. Save yourself from a headache by drinking more water!
13. Manages body temperature
Sipping a glass of ice water feels lovely when it’s hot outside, but that’s not the extent of water’s temperature management capabilities. Your body stores more heat when you’re dehydrated, which decreases your tolerance for high temperatures. Drinking water, on the other hand, helps you sweat, which cools you down and lowers your risk of heatstroke.
14. Normalizes blood pressure
Consuming appropriate amounts of water can help regulate your blood pressure. On the other hand, dehydration can raise your heart rate and contribute to a drop in blood pressure.
15. Provides cells with nutrients and oxygen
Water is responsible for dispersing oxygen and nutrients throughout your body. Your body must be hydrated in order to send vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates where they need to go and to prepare waste products for disposal.
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Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowFlush bacteria to improve immune system
16. Flushes bacteria from the bladder
Drinking more water means urinating more frequently — and that can be a good thing! Frequent urination rids your body of the substances that cause conditions like urinary tract infections.
17. Improves brain functioning
Dehydration can negatively impact your brain functioning, which can impair your mood, concentration, and capability. On the flip side, drinking enough water can improve your memory, increase your reaction time, and even ward off negative emotions and feelings of anxiety.
18. Boosts productivity
Boosted productivity goes hand in hand with increased energy and improved brain functioning. Drinking enough water can help you stay alert throughout the day and complete your tasks more efficiently.
19. Lessens hangovers
Drinking water before and after drinking alcohol may help you avoid the dreaded hangover. By alternating alcoholic beverages with glasses of water, you can minimize the dehydration that’s partially responsible for that pounding headache you feel the next morning.
20. Improves your immune system
Your body’s lymph system is responsible for destroying invaders like bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Lymph fluid is 96% water, which means drinking enough water to produce this fluid helps your body fend off diseases.
How much water to drink
After reading about all these health benefits of drinking water, you’re probably ready to start guzzling as much as possible. However, it is possible to overdo it — especially for people with thyroid disease, heart problems, or medications that cause them to retain water.
If you’re unsure how much water you should drink, check with your doctor.
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Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy: "Health properties of the Italian San Martino® mineral-rich water: A self-controlled pilot study."
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The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care: "What does blood do?"
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research: "Effect of 'Water Induced Thermogenesis' on Body Weight, Body Mass Index and Body Composition of Overweight Subjects."
National Kidney Foundation: "6 Tips To Be "Water Wise" for Healthy Kidneys."
National Council on Aging: "10 Reasons Why Hydration is Important."
National Headache Foundation: "Headaches and Dehydration."
North State Public Radio: "Want To Avoid A Hangover? Science Has Got You Covered."
NorthShore University HealthSystem: "Staying Hydrated in the New Year: The Health Benefits of Water."
Orthopedic Associates: "Dehydration and Joint Pain: How Your Hydration is Affecting Joint Health."
Piedmont: "Signs you have an electrolyte imbalance."
ProMedica Toledo Hospital: "4 Great Health Benefits of Drinking Water."
Rutgers: "Signs You are not Drinking Sufficient Water."
Sports Health: "The Basic Science of Articular Cartilage."
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Urology Care Foundation: "Hydrate to Help Prevent Kidney Stones."
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