Drinking sufficient amounts of water every day is crucial for your health. While you may love sugary drinks, coffee, or tea, water should be your preferred beverage.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), water helps avoid dehydration, a condition that can cause foggy thinking, mood swings, constipation, and kidney stones.
The CDC also says water helps with the following:
- Allowing your body to maintain a normal temperature.
- Lubricating and cushioning your joints.
- Protecting your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
- Getting rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.
It is also important to note that there are times when your body will need more water than usual. These include:
- When you’re in hot weather: Hot or humid weather will make you sweat and you will require more fluid.
- When you’re physically active: You should drink more water once you’re physically active. Try drinking water before, during, and after your exercise or activity.
- Health reasons: Some conditions requiring increased fluid intake include bladder infections and urinary tract stones. Also, your body will lose fluids when you have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, so you’ll need to be rehydrated.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or you’re breastfeeding, you will need to take more fluids to stay hydrated.
How can you increase your water intake?
- Choose water over sugary drinks.
- Take a water bottle with you and try refilling it throughout the day.
- When eating out, try to buy more water.
- Practice drinking water during your meals.
- If you want to add a little flavor to your water, consider adding fresh sliced cucumber or lemon wedges.
While sugary drinks are more appealing, water should be your first choice, especially if you’re dehydrated. The next time you find yourself drinking less water, remember drinking more is greatly beneficial to your overall health.
