The Importance of Staying Hydrated

Why Drinking Enough Water Plays a Vital role in Your Health

When it comes to drinking water quite often, we are not drinking enough. Water plays a vital role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. While various alternatives like coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, or juices do help to keep us hydrated, water is still the best and natural choice . The reasons behind choosing other drinks over water differ some are for taste, convenience, or form part of a daily routine. While these water alternatives contribute to our daily fluid intake, water is often emphasised for a good reason.  

Sometimes we forget to prioritize hydrate, we are time-poor or we simple refer drinks that have more flavour. It is easy to overlook signs of thirst. However, water and how much we drink is so important to our overall health and well-being. 

Waters role in the body

Did you know that approximately 50-80% of our bodies are made up of water? ¹ It plays a crucial role in many body functions, such as:

1. Blood.
2. Helps to excrete end products of metabolism.
3. Supports digestion.
4. Regulates body temperature.
5. Prevents constipation.
6. Helps to lubricate your joints. 

It is important that we consume enough water to avoid dehydration, which can affect how the body functions. Dehydration can occur not only from not drinking enough water but also through sweating, diarrhoea, fevers, vomiting, urination, exercising and exposure to hot temperatures.

For your body to function properly, it is recommended that women should aim for 2 litres of water per day and men 2.6 litres of water per day. ²

Signs that you may be dehydrated include: ³

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Poor concentration
• Dizziness
• Dark urine  

6 Strategies to help increase your water intake:

1. Carry a water bottle with you at all times.
2. When you are drinking alcohol do a 1: 1 of water to alcohol and drink responsibly.
3. Add fresh lime or lemon to your water, for flavour.
4. Start your day with glass of water in the morning.
5. Use a water tracking app to help monitor your intake.
6. Drink herbal tea for a hydrating and refreshing alternative.

If you are tired of feeling sluggish, a prone to headaches, and want to know how to improve your health. We are here to help! Book in for a free discovery call today.

References:

1. Eat for Health. (n.d.) Water. Retrieved from: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/nutrient-reference-values/nutrients/water
2. Better Health Channel. (2021). Water- A vital nutrient. Retrieved from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/water-a-vital-nutrient
3. Health direct.  (2021). Drinking water and your health. Retrieved from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/drinking-water-and-your-health