You probably know that our body is made up of more than 60% water. Yes, water does make up so much of our bodies, so it is important that we maintain proper hydration. Water is crucial to all bodily functions. It’s the same for adults and, of course, our kiddos too!
When they are dehydrated or hungry, meltdowns will likely happen. Your kiddos will lose more water while they go through daily activities.
Water is lost through evaporation or body functions. It is important to replace the water loss to maintain good health. Aside from quenching their thirst, water offers other benefits.
Thirst is an early sign of dehydration, and it can only be quenched when you drink water – not fruit juice, soda, or other beverages, just water. However, don’t wait until you’re feeling thirsty before you drink water.
You need to drink at least 1.5 liters of water every day. You need to drink more when it’s warm or when you’re active or feeling ill.
Here are the other benefits of drinking water:
1. Hydrates the body
Drinking water helps maintain the right amount of fluids in the body. Your body is made of 60% water. This helps with the digestion, circulation, and absorption. This helps create saliva, distribute nutrients in the body, and maintain the body’s temperature.
When the body is low on fluids, the brain will trigger the body’s natural thirst mechanism. When you feel thirsty, you need to listen to your body. Unless there are other reasons for your thirst except for thirst, you should drink water immediately. Your body needs water for every tissue and organ to work properly.
2. Improves Sleep and Focus
Water can help to improve your sleeping habits. The body uses water to produce melatonin, the hormone which helps control your sleep cycles. When you sleep well, you can focus and concentrate better. The brain’s content is about 76% water. Water provides the brain with the electrical energy so that it could perform all its functions and processes. Make sure to drink water every day to optimize your brain’s function.
3. Maintain Normal Bowel and Kidney Function
Water helps keep things flowing properly along the gastrointestinal tract. This prevents constipation. When you don’t drink enough water, your colon will resort to pulling water from your stools to maintain hydration. As a result, you become constipated. You need water and fiber to maintain proper hydration.
Water also helps the kidney clean and rid the body of toxic materials like blood urea nitrogen. When you have enough water in the body, your urine can flow freely. It is also light in color, and it does not have that foul smell. When you drink too little water, you put yourself at risk for developing kidney stones.
4. Helps Control Calories and Reduce Weight
Replace soda and sugary drinks with water, and you will be able to reduce calories. Diet and weight loss experts have always emphasized the need for drinking water when dieting. If you want to lose weight, make sure to avoid caloric beverages and drink water instead.
5. Eliminates Cavity Risk
The mouth needs water to produce saliva. Moisture helps keep the mouth clean from dirt and germs. This helps prevent teeth from decaying.
6. Boosts the Immune System
Water flushes out toxins from the body. This also distributes white blood cells through the body. These cells help fight off foreign invaders like germs and bacteria.
7. Energized Muscles and Boosts Energy
When your muscles don’t get enough fluids, they shrivel. This results in loss of energy and extreme fatigue. It is important to keep the body hydrated, so your muscles will be able to perform well. This is true when your exercising or doing strenuous activities. You need to drink water before any physical activity and while performing the activity. You need to consume about 17 ounces of water before you exercise. You also need to drink water at regular intervals while you exercise.
Tips to Drink More Water
- Drink water with every meal and snack.
- Eat more fruits and veggies with high water content.
- Keep a bottle of water with you at all times.
- Flavor water naturally, so you will enjoy drinking it.
- Set up a schedule to remind yourself to drink water. There are apps, nowadays, that you can install on your phone. It can remind you when it’s time to drink water.
In a recent video, I talked about the importance of drinking water and its many healthy benefits. Check it out here.