Keeping our body hydrated or drinking enough water is the basic rule for maintaining a healthy diet. The human body can supposedly survive weeks without food, but only just a few days without water, this is not a surprise as our body is made up of 60 percent water.
Water has always been an inevitable component in the diet plan of those who are looking to shed extra kilos. However, the benefit of water is not just limited to weight loss but it also has a role in detoxifying our body, maintaining smooth functioning and increasing the number of calories your body burns by increasing the resting energy expenditure and many more.
So here we can discuss some of the benefits of drinking plenty of water:
As we all know water helps to keep things moving, in the digestive system also it functions in the same way. So when our body is dehydrated, it cannot easily remove waste and toxins from the body and can cause constipation.
Some studies have also proven that mineral water may be particularly beneficial for those suffering from constipation, as the high amount of magnesium and sodium in it improves bowel movement frequency.
Drinking enough water can help the kidneys to filter toxins. When our body is dehydrated, kidneys keep fluid. Also, studies have shown that a higher intake of water can reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Helps to control overeating
Some research has proven that drinking a glass of water half an hour before meals stops you from overeating as it can make you feel more full easily and it can reduce the calorie consumption during the meal by 13 percent.
In an early study, some dieters were asked to drink about 0.5 liters of water before meals and they lost about 44 percent more weight over a period of 12 weeks than dieters who didn’t drink water before meals.
It is said that our brain actually can’t differentiate between hunger and thirst, so by increasing water intake one can reduce their sugar cravings also.
Improves your workout
There have been a lot of research into the effects of hydration or dehydration in athletes or those who workout and the results conclude that dehydration not only affects performance but also physiological function.
Drinking enough water can improve workout performance and it also helps muscles, connective tissues and joints to move correctly. Further, it helps in the proper functioning of the heart and lungs to work effectively as they get ramped up during the workout. Keeping the body hydrated can also help to reduce the risk of oxidative stress, which occurs during high-intensity exercise.
Studies have proven that losing as little as 2 percent of the body’s water content can significantly affect physical performance of an individual.
It’s a zero-calorie drink!
Calories are the most discussed term when it comes to health or diet. It is the amount of energy we get from our food and the three main nutrients that account for calorie consumption are protein, fats and carbohydrates. Since water does not have these three elements, it is a zero-calorie drink.
So experts suggest that, when you decide to get healthier, the first thing you have to do is swap your sweet beverages with plain water. This is because water is a zero-calorie hydrating drink, which controls the overall calorie intake. In the long run, drinking enough water reduces the risk of obesity and weight gain.
How much is enough?
There is always a concept that 8 glasses of water which is approximately 2 liters is enough for our body. But it is a myth, as each individual needs different amounts of water.
For example, people who do a lot of physical activity or high-intensity workout or tend to sweat a lot may need more than 8 glasses of water. While people who sit in AC all day and don’t do much physical activity, eight glasses of water might suffice for them. So, a basic rule is that one must always drink water as and when they feel thirsty.
