Introduction

Water, the elixir of life, often takes a backseat in our busy schedules and dietary considerations. Yet, its significance cannot be overstated. In this article, we embark on a journey to explore the myriad benefits of water consumption, shedding light on why it should be a cornerstone of your daily health regimen.

Top Reasons To Drink Water

#1 It Just Makes Sense

One thing I have promised myself and my readers is that I would at no point be a fear-monger. There are all sorts of wives' tales and outlandish claims about water and hydration. If water alone really cured disease, then we would all be healthy, right?

I humbly assert that we humans who are composed of approximately 60% water should consider hydration a vital health priority. Why? Because it just makes common sense.

If you use up the building blocks for a healthy body (like water), it stands to reason that your body cannot function properly. Please know that I do not believe that people who drink less than 8- 8 ounce glasses of water a day will shrivel up and die in the next few weeks. We all know that's an urban legend! But here are some facts you may not be aware of...

#2 Dehydration and Depression

Many things can get you down. A flat tire, stubbing your toe, crying babies, alarm clock malfunctions. But did you know that even mild dehydration can cause the blues? In a study in the Journal of Nutrition from January 2012, women in their early twenties experienced mild dehydration, which caused headaches, concentration levels, and mood issues. They also perceived that tasks were more difficult to do, even though their actual mental abilities did not appear to change. Fatigue was another side effect of the induced mild dehydration.¹

How does this pertain to weight loss? It is not a huge stretch to perceive that dehydration could cause discouragement and might prove a barrier to that willpower you need to reduce your weight permanently.

#3 Burn Calories with Water

What if drinking two glasses of water could increase your metabolic rate by 30%? Does it sound like science fiction? It's a science fact!

A study in Germany suggests that water may actually act as a natural calorie burner.²

After subjects drank approximately 17 ounces of water, the subjects' metabolic rates - or the rate at which calories are burned - increased by 30% for both men and women. The increases occurred within 10 minutes of water consumption and reached a maximum after 30 to 40 minutes.

I say cheers to water for that!

#4 Best Drink For Your Body

After reading an article about an actor drinking large amounts of coke to gain weight for a role, blogger George Prior was curious. Could he duplicate this phenomenon? In 2014, he decided to drink 10 Cokes a day for a month. While his experiment was extreme (I don't know anyone who consumes this much soda daily), the results are telling. According to his website, 10cokesaday.com, his health was affected tremendously!³

According to his website and subsequent national news articles, he gained 23 pounds (from 168 to 192), and his body fat increased by a whopping 65% (from 9% to 16%)! Even though you may be consuming one soda a day and not 10, think about the implications. If you do that math, that could mean a 6.5% increase in body fat in just one month.

#5 Eat Your Water

Did you know that the average fruits and veggies are up to 20% water? Processed foods are much lower in water volume and contain chemicals and preservatives that can derail your weight loss plan. Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake is a simple way to get hydrated while providing the nutrients your body needs to function correctly .

Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, and peaches have the highest water content of fruits at close to 90%. Cucumbers, lettuce, celery, and zucchini are top-rated for water supply in the vegetable category.⁴ Adding fruits and vegetables not only nourishes your body but also hydrates!

But What If You HATE Water?

Here are my top tips for getting water into your life. Remember, every step you take toward hydration is in the right direction. If you can only handle 8 oz per day now, do it! Just set the goal to continue adding more water into your life over time; before you know it, you too will be hydrating!

1. Infuse your water with some flavor. My favorites are lemon, lime, and berries. Make it cold- ice helps!
2. Brew tea. If you can't stand water, try making green or herbal teas. You're still hydrating, and you're getting some additional health benefits.
3. Measure your success. Set hydration goals and measure your progress.
4. Try different types of water. This might sound unbelievable, but waters from different regions have differing tastes. Try bottles from other places and see if you are interested in a certain kind. (My favorite is Fiji.)
5. Get a filter. If tap water tastes funny, try getting a water bottle or pitcher with a filter. Sometimes, something as simple as water filtering can improve the taste tremendously. Add water to every meal. Be sure to drink a full glass of water at every meal. This will help you slow down and enjoy the food while getting the hydration in, too!