Water is our lifeblood – it’s essential for our survival. And drinking water has undeniable health and wellness benefits.
Most developed countries have access to clean, safe drinking water through treatment facilities or household tanks, so you just turn on the faucet and it’s there. But some developing countries aren’t so fortunate.
Nevertheless, most older adults don’t drink enough water.
In fact, research showed that roughly 95% of men and 83% of women 71 and older failed to meet the daily water intake recommendations.
If you’re a part of this majority, we’re here to encourage you to up your H2O intake by telling you why you should be drinking water every day. Let’s explore seven health and wellness benefits of drinking water every day.
Water: Questions & Answers
We all know that water is essential for our health and fitness, but why is that? What does water actually do for you?
60% of your body is made up of water in ideal circumstances. And your vital organs are no different.
If you’re wondering how much water should you drink every day, to keep that 60% topped up, we’re supposed to drink a specific amount every day – which is around 2 liters.
The amount varies depending on your activity levels, weight, height, gender, and age. Here’s a handy hydration calculator to help you determine how much water you should drink every day.
Do all drinks count towards your daily amount? Yes, most drinks do count towards your 2 liters, but be wary of diuretics like coffee, as they may make you urinate more. Foods can count towards your allowance, too, and you usually consume 20% of water through food.
So, what are the other health benefits of drinking water besides hydrating you? And what positive effects can it have on your mind and body?
Let’d dive in.
7 Health & Wellness Benefits of Drinking Water
#1 Keeps Your Skin Healthy
Our skin is our largest organ and one of the first places to show signs of aging. But you can help keep your skin looking its best by drinking plenty of water.
That’s because water helps keep your skin hydrated, which in turn helps it look plump and smooth. Research shows that drinking just 2 cups of water immediately changes the way your skin looks.
Just be sure to drink water that’s room temperature or cooler — hot water can actually dehydrate your skin.
#2 Improves Mood
If you’re looking for a mood booster, look no further than water. That’s right, plain old H2O can have some pretty amazing effects on your mood and overall sense of well-being.
It’s not a cure for any mental illness or condition, but some studies suggest dehydration can affect our moods and well-being.
For example, those who were used to high water levels and had their access restricted experienced a lack of contentment and reduced positivity. In comparison, those who started with a lower water intake and consumed more, felt increasingly awake, more focused, and less tired.
So next time you’re feeling down, try reaching for a glass of water instead of that cup of coffee or soda. Apart from improving your mood, it’s also healthier for you and increases your energy levels (our next benefit).
#3 Boosts Energy Levels
We all know that feeling of being exhausted and drained. Sometimes it feels like no matter how much coffee you drink or how many naps you take, you just can’t seem to shake off the fatigue.
But what if there was a simple solution that didn’t involve caffeine or extra sleep?
That’s where water comes in. Dehydration is a real downer and generally makes you tired, grumpy, and low on energy.
Which means, it’s fair to say that your physical activity performance will be poor when you’re dehydrated. Therefore, drinking water can help keep your brain focused and your body ready to meet any physical challenges, so you’re more likely to stay active for longer.
Just take a look at this analysis of the positive effects water intake has on cognitive and athletic performance:
And water helps to carry oxygen and nutrients to your cells, which are essential for cell function and energy production.
#4 Maintains Brain Performance
Hydration impacts every part of you – including your mental capacity.
Have you ever felt fuzzy and struggled to remember something, then taken a nice large drink of water and felt more refreshed and focused?
That’s because even minimal dehydration increases the likelihood of headaches, fatigue, decreased memory, and less than optimal mental performance.
Why is water so important for the brain? It helps to flush out toxins and metabolic waste and delivers nutrients to cells, including those in the brain. So make sure you’re drinking enough water each day – your brain will thank you for it.
#5 Protects Joints & Spinal Cord
Water plays a vital role in cushioning joints and the spinal cord.
Without water, the cartilage that covers our joints would not be able to do its job properly, leading to discomfort and pain. In addition, water helps to protect your spinal cord by acting as a shock absorber.
Iin short – if you want your spine’s health to remain intact for years into the future then make sure you’re drinking enough H2O.
#6 Aids Weight Loss
Even if you’re not looking to lose weight, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to put more on, so consider water to help you maintain your weight.
Not only does water have zero calories, but it’s also a natural appetite suppressant. It sends signals to your brain that your stomach is full.
Plus, foods high in water content are usually bulkier, need more chewing, and help you feel fuller for longer.
For instance, foods like fruit, vegetables, and soups are all high in water, low in calories, and keep your digestive system busy for longer – so they’re ideal if you’re looking to manage your calorie intake healthily.
And according to research on hunger, thirst, and satiety, your body can easily mistake thirst for hunger. So the next time you’re feeling like you want to grab a snack, try drinking a glass of water instead — you may just be dehydrated.
#7 Improves Digestion
Water is essential for good digestion. It helps to break down food, and moves food and waste products through the digestive system. Drinking enough water each day can help prevent constipation, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections.
Water is also important for proper absorption of nutrients from food. When you don’t drink enough water, your body may not be able to absorb all the nutrients it needs from the food you eat. This can lead to malnutrition and other health problems.
So why not make sure you’re drinking enough water every day? Not only will you feel better overall, but you’ll also be doing your digestive system a favor.
Enough Water a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Water is essential for our bodies to function correctly. Yet, over 20% of older adults are dehydrated.
It’s time to reverse this stat and gift your body the benefits of staying hydrated.
By drinking enough, you can keep everything running as it needs to and boost your mental health and wellbeing by knowing you’re doing what you can to stay healthy.
To recap the seven health benefits of drinking water:
- #1 Keeps your skin healthy — water prevents wrinkles and maintains plump and clear skin
- #2 Improves mood — water is the best natural mood-booster
- #3 Boosts energy levels — whenever you’re feeling down, try drinking a glass of water and look out for the immediate effect it has on your energy levels
- #4 Maintains brain performance — drinking water benefits your brain both directly an indirectly
- #5 Protects joints & spinal cord — lubricate your joints and spine with an adequate amount of water
- #6 Aids weight loss — lose unwanted weight by keeping hydrated
- #7 Improves digestion — say goodbye to digestive problems by drinking water daily
Try to keep a bottle of water nearby at all times and sip every once in a while. And if water is just too bland, it’s easy to make it more interesting by adding lemon, cucumber, or other fruits and vegetables.
If you’re not already a regular water drinker, now is the time to start reaping the health benefits of drinking water daily.
