How many times have you heard about the importance of staying adequately hydrated? How many times have you been told you’re not drinking enough?
Well, in case you fell complacent and still didn’t act upon it, today I will yet again rub in a gentle reminder…. You literally need to be an aquaholic!
The following are 10 reasons why you should drink more water:
1) Water is essential for the kidneys to function. If the kidneys do not function properly, waste products and excess fluid can build up inside the body.
2) Without sufficient water the liver will not be able to burn body fat for energy efficiently.
3) Blood is more than 90% water, therefore, if water is in short supply, blood can become thicker and increase blood pressure.
4) The bowel needs water to function correctly. If dehydrated, digestive problems and constipation can become an issue.
5) Cartilage, found in joints and the disks of the spine, contain around 80% water. If dehydration is ongoing, joints can become less good at shock absorption, which leads to joint pain. Hence, drinking sufficient water is crucial to joint mobility and function.
6) Water plays an important role in encouraging muscle gain because it shuttles the materials required for constructing protein and glycogen, the body’s main sources of energy. Therefore water not only allows better mobility, but also helps you build muscles.
7) Water reduces fluid retention. Contrary to what people think, drinking water can actually help you shed excess water weight from your body.
8) When dehydrated, the skin can become more vulnerable to skin disorders and wrinkling.
9) Water helps your supplements work better. Many vitamins are water soluble, and water unlocks the power of those vitamins. Creatine pulls water into muscle cells, further expanding the anabolic environment needed for growth. No water, no growth.
10) Last but not least, the regular consumption of water helps regulate appetite levels. When we don’t drink enough water, we often mistake thirst for hunger, which can lead to overeating.
As a rule of thumb, my recommended daily amount of water intake is a minimum of 3 litres plus 1 litre for every hour of moderate to intense exercise. And no, unless you drink 12 litres a day, water will not kill you.
Finally, my tip in helping you drink more water is to fill a 2 litre bottle first thing in the morning and keep it within reach during the day. Every time you catch a glimpse of the bottle, have a sip. Once you make this a habit you’ll be surprised by how much water you will actually drink during the day.
And if you’re having to head to the toilet too often, tap yourself on the shoulder because you’re doing a great job!
To fitness with love,
Andrew
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