Beber agua. 喝水. Boire de l’eau. Et aquam non bibant. “Drink water.” Regardless of the languages we speak, water is essential to every life. Our bodies are made up of anywhere between 50% to 70% of the stuff. There are about a zillion reasons why we should drink our daily recommended water intake of 8 cups, so we’re breaking it down to our 8 less-obvious reasons for why we should always keep a water bottle at hand:
1. Dental health. 12 ounces of soda can add up to around 200 calories and 40 grams of sugar! Water has no calories or sugars, so replacing that can of cola with a refreshing bottle of water can not only save you calories, but also won’t rot your pearly whites!
2. Aides in weight loss. Water has no mystical fat-burning power, however, H2O consumption is directly correlated with weight loss. Since many people mistake true thirst for hunger, staying hydrated can keep you from over-eating. If you’re tummy’s rumbling for a snack, drink a glass of water, wait a half hour, and see if you were really hungry at all, or just thirsty!
3. Makes your lips pretty. Dehydrated lips can be dark, dry, and dreary. Moisturize lips from the outside and from the inside by drinking plenty of water, giving your pout a juicy and kissable appearance.
4. Heightens energy and focus. Our brain and heart are made up of about 73% water! It’s no wonder that when we are hydrated, our energy, attentiveness, and alertness are higher.
5. Skip the ibuprofen. Dehydration can cause headaches, migraines, and some say even back pain! Getting hydrated can help get rid of and prevent these annoyances.
6. Takes out the trash. Drinking water can help your body release toxins through urination and sweat, lowering your chances of developing kidney stones.
7. Reduces Spasms & Pulls. Being appropriately hydrated aids the lubrication of joints, lowering the odds of joint pain. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after physical activity to keep your body functioning at its optimal performance.
8. Doesn’t break the bank! A venti mocha latte at your favorite coffee shop can cost you about the same as a case of water that’s on sale at your local grocer! Hmm. 24 bottles of refreshing natural hydration vs. 24 oz of sugar and whipped cream, which would you chose? Okay, fine, we like some caffeine too, but get our fix from good ol’ American drip or Italian espresso.
But remember that too much of a good thing is never healthy! A condition called Dilutional hyponatremia can occur when the body over-flooded with water; it’s the quantity that makes the poison. Figure out what works best for you according to your body, physical activity, climate, altitude, health conditions etc.
