5 Reasons to Start Drinking More Water ASAP
“Drink more water.” You probably heard this from everyone growing up, from your parents to your health teacher. But with today’s hectic schedule, many people fail to drink all the water they need to.
Why should you drink more water? Multiple health reasons abound. Fortunately, you can keep yourself hydrated with more of the good stuff easily. Here’s what to know and how to increase your intake.
1. Water Keeps Skin Silky
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it consists primarily of water. You can stave off the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by staying hydrated.
Like any other organ, your skin consists of cells. When these grow dehydrated, the skin becomes dry and flaky, even itchy. Many people who suffer from acne also report their condition clears up when they increase their water intake.
2. Water Helps Us Avoid Mindless Snacking
Oftentimes, we mistake thirst for hunger and reach for a snack instead of a reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated can help you avoid mindless snacking by staving off hunger pangs — and much more.
A little water creates bulk in your stomach, making you feel full faster. Additionally, water speeds up your metabolism, fueling how your body converts food to energy. Some nutritionists swear by drinking cold water, as your body has to expend energy to heat it up, which also positively impacts metabolism.
3. Water Boosts Fertility
Drinking enough water can help you get pregnant if you and your partner are trying. Adequate hydration helps thin out your cervical mucus, making it easier for sperm to reach the egg.
Getting enough fluids also helps balance your hormone levels naturally. This further boosts your chances of conception, which is a big win if you’re looking to bring a little one into your life in the near future!
4. Water Helps You Concentrate
When you’re dehydrated, it’s tough to focus — and you might even develop a headache, making things even worse. Staying hydrated helps improve your ability to concentrate.
In one study, participants who drank three cups of water prior to an exam performed better than those who did not. If you have a big presentation to give at work, drink up beforehand and get ready to rock your clients’ socks off.
5. Water Improves Your Oral Health
Your mouth needs a lot of water to make saliva. When you don’t produce enough saliva, your mouth grows dry. This can cause bad breath, as such an environment allows bacteria to flourish.
These bacteria can lead to periodontal disease and tooth decay. You can prevent cavities by staying hydrated and practicing good oral hygiene.
Fun Ways to Drink More Water
All these benefits of water sound great, right? But how many plain cups of water can you consume daily? If you’re like many humans, doing so grows boring after a while.
If you want to up your hydration game, give the following tips a try.
1. Upgrade your water bottle. If your tap water tastes too much like minerals for your enjoyment, invest in a water bottle with a filter. This filters out impurities, improving flavor. If you’re a hiker or camper, you can find bottles that filter water from springs and streams, rendering it safe for consumption.
2. Float some fruit in your water. Add some slices of fruits or veggies to give your water a hint of sweet flavor. You can add sun-kissed apricots and berries or simply some lemon or orange slices.
3. Get into herbal teas. Herbal teas offer myriad health benefits depending upon the variety. Additionally, most herbal teas contain little if any caffeine, which is important if too much gives you jitters. Experiment with different blends until you find one you love.
4. Consider making it fizz. You don’t have to turn to sugary colas (or diet versions) if you love carbonation. You can get all the fizz without the artificial sweeteners or corn syrup by investing in a home carbonation device. This allows you to experiment with different flavors as well — when you mix up fizzy fruit-infused water, you’ll never miss the pop.
Drinking More Water Made Easy
Drinking more water offers a host of health benefits. And getting more of the good stuff doesn’t mean resigning yourself to a life of bland drinks. By following a few simple tips, you can stay hydrated and healthy!