Why do we need to drink lots of water?

Drinking water is important in the winter months too, not just in the summer. Water is essential for many of the body’s vital functions. It helps maintain the balance of body fluids. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion, absorption, circulation, the creation of saliva, the transportation of nutrients, and the maintenance of our body temperature.

Water also boosts our energy, and it delivers important nutrients to all our cells, especially our muscle cells which helps to reduce muscle fatigue. Dehydration leads to fatigue because it impacts the flow of oxygen to the brain and causes the heart to work harder to pump oxygen to the bodily organs. As a result, we feel more tired, it can cause headaches, and can affect our ability to focus or concentrate.

Our digestive system also needs water for it to work properly, and to flush out waste and toxins. Dehydration is a leading cause of constipation because the digestive system needs water to keep the food waste moving through it; not drinking enough water can result in the stool becoming hard and difficult to pass.

Drinking lots of water also hydrates the skin and it improves skin complexion. It can help with weight loss too because it helps you to feel full for longer, without adding extra calories!

Useful tips:

Invest in an infuser water bottle. It’s a great way to make water tasty and refreshing, and to drink more of it too! Try adding some fresh mint, cucumber and lime, or blackberries and watermelon, or apples and blueberries. Tangy or sweet, the combos are endless!

The color of our urine can also be used as an indication of how much water we drink. When it is a light-yellow color, it means we have drunk an adequate amount of water. If our urine is dark, we may possibly be dehydrated.