The Importance of Hydration, Avoid Dehydration:
Our bodies are about 60 percent water, and water is essential for virtually all of our body functions. Studies suggest, mild dehydration, losing as little as 1-2% of your body weight in water, can have an enormous impact on performance. Here are some examples.
Reduced strength and speed
Reduced agility and reaction time
Decreased mental sharpness and focus
Increased risk of injury
A faster time to fatigue
More Benefits of Drinking Water:
1. Carrying oxygen and nutrients to all of the cells in our body.
2. Helps to regulate body temperature3. Cushioning your joints
3. Stabilizing heartbeat
4. Normalizing your blood pressure
5. Aids in digestion
6. Protecting our tissue and organs
7. Helps to prevent constipation
8. Flushes bacteria from your bladder
9. Maintaining electrolyte (sodium) balance in your body
10. Helps to maximize physical performance
11. Helps you to have enough energy
12. Promotes a healthy brain function
13. Prevents and treats headaches
14. Boosting your skin health
15. Helping us with weight loss
How Much Water Should You Drink Daily:
You’ve probably heard you should drink eight glasses of water a day. It is easy to remember, and it is a reasonable goal.
Healthy people usually stay hydrated by drinking water and other fluids whenever they are thirsty. For other people, fewer than eight glasses a day could be enough, but others might need more.
Several factors that may impact your water intake.
Exercise:
If you do any activity where you sweat, you will need to drink extra water to cover your fluid loss. It is important to drink water before, during and after a workout.
Environment:
Hot or humid weather can make you sweat as well and will require additional water. Dehydration can also occur at high altitudes.
Overall Health:
Your body loses fluids when you are vomiting, diarrhea or fever. You should drink more water or follow a doctor’s recommendation. Bladder infections and urinary tract stones are other conditions that might require increased water intake.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, you may need additional water to stay hydrated.
