Drink Up! The Importance of Staying Hydrated
With summer in full swing, it is important to remember to stay hydrated. The sun’s hot rays can be draining, and one of the best ways to fight back is with water.
The Health Benefits of Water
More than just a thirst quencher, water can have magical effects on your health. Maintaining a proper level of hydration allows you to exercise more efficiently and boosts energy levels. Dehydration lowers the hormone levels necessary to build muscle. Also, when your body is hydrated, you have extended endurance.
Studies have also shown that drinking water leads to lower body weight. By turning to water as opposed to high-calorie, sugary drinks, you are not only saving calories, but you will leave your body feeling full and more satisfied, eliminating unnecessary snack cravings. Furthermore, water promotes healthy digestion and helps the body fight fat. Strive to drink eight glasses of water daily.
Water and Diabetes
In regard to diabetes, water promotes healthy kidneys. When the body becomes dehydrated, it prompts the kidney to hold water, which causes the liver to produce blood sugar. Over time, this has the potential to compromise the body’s ability to produce insulin. While many factors can contribute to the development of diabetes, drinking enough water maintains a healthy body equilibrium and in the long run will result in better overall health.
Not Getting Enough Water?
Having trouble fitting those eight cups of water into your daily routine? Here are some tips to get you drinking more of that h40:
- Invest in a reusable water bottle and bring it with your everywhere you go!
- Getting tired of the bland taste of water? Zest it up with some mint and lemon.
- There is no need to chug. Sip throughout the day to make drinking water more enjoyable.
- Have a glass with each meal.
Sources: FitSugar, The New York Times and Spark People
Photo by By Abhijit Tembhekar [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)] via Wikimedia Commons
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