Water is a massive factor in our daily health and fitness levels. Just being slightly dehydrated can see a drastic decrease in our performance and concentration levels, so it’s vitally important to keep your fluid intake high and there’s a reasons water is the ‘go-to’ drink for every professional athlete.
Water helps transport vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients throughout our bodies, it also helps flush out toxins and other products that our bodies don’t need. You’ve heard the phrase before, ‘Our bodies are 70% water’ so you can imagine how important it is to keep filling up a glass of this magical drink. Here’s the top reasons why YOU should be filling up a glass right now.
1. IT HELPS YOU LOSE WEIGHT
Drinking water can help you lose weight by flushing out the by-products of fat breakdown. It also is a brilliant appetite suppressant, so instead of grabbing a high fat or sugary snack between meals, a glass of water can help keep you feeling full and help you banish those cravings. With a grand total of ZERO calories it is the perfect replacement for fizzy drinks and a simple swap like that can make a big change to your body in the future.
2. IT PUTS YOU IN A GOOD MOOD
Water can help make you feel better, as it hydrates your body and helps all the systems in your body run more efficiently. As it flushes out toxins it can help prevent illness and clear a sore head. When your body is hydrated, it feels better and in turn makes you feel better, more positive and more energized to tackle any obstacles in your day, head on!
3. KEEPS YOU HEALTHIER
Water can help boost your immune system which can keep outside threats from entering and harming your health. Drinking plenty of water helps fight against many forms of illnesses, including the cold, flu and other more serious ailments like kidney stones, bowel diseases or heart conditions. Water with added lemon has been used for many years as a remedy for all kinds of intestinal problems. Many people have linked drinking more water to long term health and well being.
4. GIVES YOU MORE ENERGY
As stated above, water helps keep your body hydrated and replenished. If your body lacks water, your heart will have a harder time pumping oxygenated cells around the rest of the body and to the vital organs required for everything you do. A well nourished body will be more efficient and thus will be in better health, rather than having a lethargic feeling that can creep over you when you are dehydrated, such as after a long run or tough gym session.
5. LESS LIKELY TO GET INJURED
It’s not some miracle juice that means you will never get sick or break a bone etc However studies have shown that water keeps the muscles (which are made up for 70% water) and joints well lubricated which can help avoid injuries associated with fitness such as cramps, pulls or joint problems.
6. MAKES YOU MORE PRODUCTIVE
Your brain is made up of 90% water so you can imagine how important it is for the brain to have a steady stream of clean water to use. When you are properly hydrated your mind is more sharp and alert rather than becoming tired and slow. Your body will also be more prepared for action, having less problems which will also make you more happy and productive.
7. GIVES YOU CLEARER SKIN
Most people are aware of the fact that water can help clear up skin problems and help the symptoms of acne. When skin is well nourished with water it definitely shows. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, as well as moisturize the skin (brilliant if you suffer from dry skin at times) and helps increase the elasticity of the skin. It has also been stated that water can help prevent wrinkles as well.
8. IT BOOSTS YOUR METABOLISM
Metabolism is a complicated process of the human body, and water helps this process as it increases how well and how fast muscles and other organs expend the energy that comes from the food we consume. Everyone is always looking a fast metabolism to burn those calories and lose weight, so water could be a great weapon in their arsenal.
9. CAN HELP GET YOU CUT
We know by now that water is great at flushing out toxins from the body, but it can also be great at flushing out excess water from the body when you want to look that much more cut and defined. You will often here about boxers or fighters who are tying to make weight, drink vast quantities of water a week before the fight, then stop drinking it totally a day or two before the weigh in. The body then continues to flush out the water consumed plus that which is normally stored in the body, leaving a drier, more defined, slimmer physique.
10. BETTER EXERCISE AND RESULTS
Water helps the body function better as a whole, first by replacing fluids lost via sweating and re-hydrating your body so it can perform at its best in physical exercises, and also from a mental standpoint, as stated above water can help improve your concentration levels and also gives you a more positive attitude to help you tackle those challenges in the gym.
Water should be an essential part of everybody’s nutritional intake, not just professional athletes and bodybuilders but anyone who wants to be healthier or lose a few pounds. Water can be another thing that gives you that vital edge in your battle for a better, fitter, leaner body. So get drinking!
