How many times have we been told as children and adults how important water is for our health? I’ll admit I’ve never been a fan of water and getting my daily 11.5 glasses seems like more than a tall order.
Our adult bodies are made up of approximately 60% of water. Babies and kids have a higher percentage of water in their bodies, while females have less percentage water content than males. They recommend (2.7 liters (over 11 cups) of fluids a day for the average woman and 3.7 liters (almost 16 cups) for men. This may seem like a lot of daily water intake but our bodies need it. Since the cells in our bodies are filled with water, important nutrients and minerals are able to be utilized in complex biological and chemical reactions.
In fact, water is the most important substance to all living things and we sometimes take access to clean water for granted. Can you imagine not being able to have clean water available to drink so our bodies can function properly?
Most of the time I will drink water when I feel thirsty. As it turns out, thirst is a late indicator of dehydration. If you’re parched, it’s possible your body has already lost 1 to 2 percent of its water content — hindering physical and mental function. Rather then waiting for thirst to set in, I should watch for early clues of dehydration, including headache, fatigue, decreased exercise performance, dizziness, and hunger.
Not drinking enough water can result in irritability and even anxiety.
Studies show that a lack of liquid can impair cognitive performance, which could interfere with memory, mental energy and focus.
Produce hydrates better than water.
A lot of water-rich fruits and vegetables (grapefruit, cucumbers, lettuce, celery) can hydrate effectively because of their electrolytes. So four to five servings a day can give you about 18 percent of your daily fluid needs; hit nine servings and you could get 40 percent.
Turns out water is not the most hydrating beverage.
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed some surprising facts. They found milk really does do the body good. Full-fat milk, skim milk, and even orange juice hydrate better than water, since they contain electrolytes that help maintain fluid balances in the body. The study also noted that in terms of hydration potential, water is no different from beer or soda. I’ll drink to that!
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