July 17, 2019
Written by Sandy Fuller, Wellness Coordinator at Sheridan Memorial Hospital
Are you getting enough water every day? In the hot summer months, keeping your body hydrated can improve your overall health.
As the temperatures begin to rise, it’s important for you to ask yourself if you are getting enough water each day. If not, it may be taking a toll on your overall health. Keeping the body hydrated is crucial for your well-being but most of us do not consume enough fluids on a daily basis. Drinking water can help with weight loss, disease prevention, increasing your energy level as well as flushing toxins out of the body. Our bodies use water to maintain core temperature, help the heart pump blood throughout the body and increase the functionality of our muscles.
Human beings lose large amounts of water through strenuous exercise, perspiration, and urination. Think of water as a key nutrient that we must continually replace throughout the day.
These are a few additional benefits of staying hydrated:
Improves Physical Performance – Staying hydrated during exercise will help you perform better, have more energy and improve overall endurance.
Promotes Weight Loss – Adequate hydration reduces hunger, can raise your metabolism and is a substitute for higher calorie beverages.
Boosts your Mood – Individuals who consume water regularly tend to have better moods. They experience less fatigue, confusion and anxiety.
Prevents Headaches – Dehydration is a common cause for headaches and can trigger migraines. Be sure to stay well hydrated, especially if you are prone to migraines.
Boosts your Brain Power – Studies have shown that people who drink more water can improve their cognitive performance and stay focused on difficult tasks.
The recommended amount of water needed each day varies from person to person depending on how active they are, how much they sweat, the climate, different medications and so on. The general guidelines have dramatically increased from the old standard of 8 cups of water a day. Now the daily recommendation is that women should drink at least 91 ounces (over 11 cups) and men should drink 125 ounces (over 15 cups) per day. For most people, water is the best thing to drink to stay hydrated, but non-alcoholic fluids, and fresh fruits and vegetables count as well. It is best to avoid drinks that are high in calories and sugar as well as caffeinated drinks, which act as diuretics and can dehydrate you.
The bottom line is that water is important to every part of your body. Set a goal for yourself and try to consume the recommended levels every day. It just may improve your overall health.