#HealthBytes: 5 benefits of drinking enough water
With around 60% of our body comprising water, this elixir of life is crucial for healthy functioning. Notably, lack of water may lead to headaches, constipation, lethargy, and other health issues. Although there's no set standard as to how much water one should take in a day, 8-12 full glasses are usually recommended. Here, we list 5 great health benefits of drinking enough water.
How dehydration affects your energy and brain function
Your energy levels and brain power significantly depend on the hydration level of your body. A number of studies conducted among young men, women, children, and the elderly have shown that even a slight loss in body hydration can adversely affect mood, concentration, memory, and general brain power. So, for a healthy brain, and better productivity, it's best to stay hydrated.
Dehydration reduces your physical performance
Staying hydrated is extremely important for optimal physical performance. Dehydration caused during (normal to intense) workout may alter body temperature control, reduce motivation, raise fatigue, and make exercising more difficult. Optimal hydration acts as a bulwark against such effects of dehydration, and can even reduce muscle stress during exercise. All this makes staying hydrated all the more important, especially for athletes and sportsmen.
Keep the risk of headaches at bay, by staying hydrated
Dehydration is known to worsen headaches and migraines in people who are already suffering. Fortunately, many studies have shown that drinking plenty of water is helpful in reducing the intensity and duration of headaches. So, drink enough water everyday so as to keep the risk of headaches and migraines at bay.
Drinking enough water will help you get rid of constipation
Constipation is a common problem involving infrequent bowel movements and difficulties in passing stool. Better fluid intake is often suggested as part of the treatment for constipation, and studies have also found that low water consumption is linked with constipation in a number of cases. Long story short, drink plenty of water if you want to avoid getting constipated.
Enough water consumption helps in treating kidney stones
If you know about urinary stones, the most common form of which are kidney stones, you'd know that they can be extremely painful. Since urinary stone forms when minerals crystallize and form lumps, drinking enough water can help in prevention by increasing volume of urine passing through the kidneys. Increased urine volume dilutes mineral concentration, thereby minimizing the risk of crystallization.
