Water is a key component for a healthy life. We need to nourish the body with water year-round, but when the temperatures go up outside, it’s important to drink more water and pay close attention to your hydration level and here’s why:

10 Fun Facts about the Benefits of Water

1. Hydration Superpower: Water makes up about 60% of our body weight and is essential for maintaining bodily functions. It helps regulate body temperature, lubricates joints, and protects sensitive tissues.
2. Brain Booster: Staying well-hydrated improves cognitive function and helps you stay focused. Dehydration can impair attention and short-term memory.
3. Energy Enhancer: Proper hydration can enhance your physical performance. Even mild dehydration can reduce endurance, increase fatigue, and alter body temperature control.
4. Detox Dynamo: Drink more water to help flush toxins out of vital organs, aid digestion, and transport nutrients to cells.
5. Weight Management: Drinking water before meals can help with weight management. It can make you feel fuller, reducing your overall calorie intake.
6. Skin Savior: Proper hydration helps keep your skin looking good. Dehydration can make your skin look drier and more wrinkled, but proper hydration can give it a healthy glow.
7. Kidney Supporter: Your kidneys need enough water to function properly. Drink more water to support adequate hydration to help prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections.
8. Digestive Aid: Water is crucial for digestion. It helps dissolve fats and soluble fiber, allowing these substances to pass through more easily.
9. Joint Lubricator: Your joints need hydration to stay lubricated and flexible. Water helps maintain the cushioning effect of cartilage around joints.
10. Mood Lifter: Staying hydrated can improve your mood and overall sense of well-being. Dehydration can lead to irritability and confusion.

5 Signs of Dehydration

1. Thirst: One of the most obvious signs you need to drink more water is feeling thirsty. If you’re feeling thirsty, your body is already mildly dehydrated.
2. Dark Yellow Urine: Urine color is a good indicator of hydration. Dark yellow or amber urine suggests you need more fluids.
3. Dry Mouth and Skin: A dry or sticky mouth and dry, flaky skin can be signs of dehydration.
4. Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or lethargic can be a result of dehydration, as your body’s cells aren’t getting enough fluid to function properly.
5. Dizziness and Light-headedness: Dehydration can lead to a drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness or light-headedness, especially when standing up quickly.

Types of Drinks that Hinder Hydration

While many drinks can contribute to your daily fluid intake, some can actually hinder hydration. If you’re consuming any of the drinks on the list below – you may need to drink MORE water throughout the day to offset the effects of your hydration hindering beverages.

Here are a few different types of drinks that can have a dehydrating effect:

1. Alcoholic Beverages: Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. Drinks like beer, wine, and spirits can cause your body to lose more water than you take in.
2. Caffeinated Drinks: While moderate amounts of caffeine (found in coffee, tea, and some sodas) can be part of a healthy diet, excessive consumption can lead to increased urine output and potential dehydration.
3. Sugary Soft Drinks: High sugar content in sodas and energy drinks can contribute to dehydration. The sugar requires water for digestion and can pull water from your body’s reserves.
4. Energy Drinks: Many energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and sugar, both of which can have a diuretic effect and reduce hydration.
5. Sports Drinks (in excess): While sports drinks are designed to replenish electrolytes lost during intense exercise, consuming them in excess or when not needed can lead to an imbalance and potential dehydration due to their sugar content.
6. Flavored Waters with Added Sugar: Some flavored waters contain added sugars and artificial ingredients that can contribute to dehydration rather than hydration.
7. Fruit Juices (in excess): While natural fruit juices contain beneficial vitamins and minerals, they also have high sugar content. Drinking them in moderation is key, as too much can have a dehydrating effect similar to sugary soft drinks.
8. Diet Sodas: Although they may not have sugar, the artificial sweeteners and caffeine in diet sodas can still have a diuretic effect and hinder proper hydration.
9. Milk (in excess): While milk is a good source of hydration and nutrients, consuming it in large quantities can sometimes lead to digestive issues and discomfort, which can affect overall hydration.
10. Certain Herbal Teas: Some herbal teas, particularly those with diuretic properties like dandelion tea, can increase urine production and contribute to dehydration if consumed in large amounts.

Drink more water to stay healthy inside and out. Maintain proper hydration, and optimal health by focusing on water as your primary beverage. Enjoy other types of drinks in moderation or as a special treat.  Are you drinking enough water every day?

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